Do you want to learn more about contributing articles or opinion pieces to the Heights Observer? Are you a past or current contributor that wants to learn what’s new? Attend the Heights Observer contributor meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10th from 6-7 pm on Zoom. We’ll update you on what’s happening with the Observer, discuss your ideas, and share some of our ideas for the future. This is a great chance to network with other Heights writers and meet the Observer editorial staff.
Tuesday, Feb. 10th, 6-7 pm
This fall, the city of Cleveland Heights passed legislation to sell 45 vacant lots in the Cain Park and Cedar-Lee neighborhoods to FutureHeights and Rebuild Cleveland for the purposes of building future housing.
FutureHeights is the community engagement partner on the project. Rebuild Cleveland is the developer. Now, the partners are moving ahead with their plans to build new, for-sale, modular homes on these lots and are seeking community input.
They’re hosting a community meeting next month. The meeting will take place on Thursday, December 18th from 6-8 pm at the Lee Road library. All are welcome to attend. Please RSVP here.
The Board and Staff of FutureHeights welcomes all FutureHeights members to attend our holiday party on Thursday, December 4th from 6-8 pm at the Bottlehouse, 2050 Lee Rd. Cleve. Hts. 44118. You will have a chance to mix and mingle with other supporters, hear from our board of directors and staff, and share what issues are most important to you. There will be a cash bar. Please RSVP here. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there!
NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP SERIES (NLWS)
Apply here for the Fall 2025 program
WHAT is this program?
This *FREE* multidisciplinary neighborhood leadership development program is designed for individuals enthusiastic about positively contributing to the community in which they live, work and play. Participants not only develop leadership skills and gain knowledge and tools to help make their community strong, safe and vibrant, but also build life-long relationships through this cohort-model program. Since the program began in 2015, we’ve proudly graduated a diverse group of 122 Heights change-agents.
WHO should apply?
Cleveland Heights and University Heights residents or stakeholders who not only care about their neighborhood but want to gain skills and resources to take action right where they live. We especially encourage anyone who is interested in working on a project seeking a FutureHeights Neighborhood Mini-Grant to participate in our leadership workshop series, though that is not a requirement to qualify for the mini-grant program.
WHEN is it happening?
The 2025 session starts Oct. 5th! All sessions take place on Sundays from 3pm-6pm. Participants must commit to attending all five sessions in order to be accepted into the program.
WHERE is it happening? TBD
If you are unable to fill out an electronic version of the application or if there any are other potential barriers to your attendance or any special accommodations you might need, please let us know so we can work with you to find a solution. Any additional questions, reach out to info@futureheights.org.
About our recent program graduates…
- Spring 2024 had 18 graduates representing 9 Cleveland Heights neighborhoods and 4 representing University Heights. 13 of the graduates are in known community leadership roles.
- Spring 2023 had 13 graduates representing 9 neighborhoods. 10 of the graduates are in known community leadership roles.
- Spring 2022 had 11 graduates representing 6 neighborhoods. 10 of the graduates are in known community leadership roles.
- Fall 2021 had 6 graduates representing 5 different neighborhoods. 5 of the graduates are in known community leadership roles. (This program ran “off-season,” thus the lower enrollment number — but what a fantastic cohort of incredible leaders!)
- Spring 2020 had 15 graduates representing 12 different neighborhoods. 9 of the graduates are in known community leadership roles.
Mark your calendar! As the busy local election season begins, the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland (LWVGC), FutureHeights and the Heights Libraries commence our popular Candidates and Issues Forum Series.
On Thursday August 7, 2025, 6-8 pm, the Cleveland Heights/University Heights Chapter of the LWVGC will present a Candidate Forum for the Cleveland Heights mayoral primary at the Cleveland Heights Community Center, 1 Monticello Blvd. It will be held in person and via live-stream and recorded for future viewing.
Watch the live-stream at: https://youtube.com/live/ z0-g48JfumM?feature=share
A recording of the event will be posted at: https://www.youtube.com/@lwvgreatercleveland
The forum will give voters an opportunity to hear candidates discuss issues important to them in this election. Candidates will present brief statements and answer written questions from the audience. Questions may be emailed during the forum for those watching the livestream and may also be emailed in advance to: heights@lwvgreatercleveland.org.
Future forums concerning the general election will take place in September.
The League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to informing the public about our election process and the individuals who are asking to represent us in government. We do not support or oppose candidates or political parties. We advocate for policies and issues that support good government. League-sponsored candidate forums follow League procedural rules.
VOTE411.org is a website sponsored by the League of Women Voters which provides the public with verbatim candidates’ responses. This is another avenue for voters to compare and choose among candidates. It is also published as a printed Voter Guide distributed with the August Heights Observer.
FutureHeights is partnering with the Coventry Village Special Improvement District for a crowdsourced conversation focused around strengthening local businesses and supporting local arts on Thursday, August 28th from 6:30-8 pm at the Heights Theater at 2781 Euclid Hts. Blvd. in Coventry Village. Speakers include Brian Anderson, Assistant Director of Economic Development, City of Cleveland Heights; Suzanne DeGaetano, owner of Mac’s Backs; Tommy Fello, owner of Tommy’s Restaurant; and Joel Negus from the Heights Theater. Participants can expect a lively conversation focused on the state of local retail and how we can support local businesses. This conversation will be inclusive of all of our commercial districts in the city of Cleveland Heights. Please RSVP here.
Crowdsourced Conversations – 2025 Topic #2: “Another Look: Severance Town Center”
Join FutureHeights for the second Crowdsourced Conversations event of 2025. Another Look: Severance Town Center is a follow-up to the Crowdsourced Conversation about Severance that was held in November 2024 (more information here). The developer, MPact Collective, has made substantial progress in developing a site plan and launching a website to gather community ideas (weigh in at www.severanceclevelandheights.com). Now, it’s time to hear an update about that progress, garner community feedback, and generate more thoughtful discussion about what YOU want to see at Severance. The developer intends to begin rezoning and redevelopment of the property in 2025 and 2026, so it’s important for us to have community input now.
Please sign up using the form below if you plan to attend the event.
Includes speakers from MPact Collective and Severance Action Group
Learn more about Severance plans: www.severanceclevelandheights.com
Become a Member of FutureHeights during the 2025 Membership Drive
FutureHeights is a unique organization – we are the ONLY community development corporation serving Cleveland Heights and University Heights, more than 57,000 residents! However, it is solely through our partnership with YOU, our generous supporters and donors, that we’re able to continue doing important work.
FutureHeights is a nonprofit organization that works to protect and enhance what we love so much about our communities. We host community conversations, distribute mini-grants, develop new leaders, renovate houses, publish the Heights Observer, organize the Heights Music Hop, support and promote local businesses, and much more!
Your tax deductible membership donation will help us to:
- Expand and modernize the Heights Observer’s website and social media;
- Partner with Rebuild Cleveland to build new modular homes in Cleveland Heights; and
- Expand our efforts to rehabilitate historic homes in Cleveland Heights.
We all know the Heights is a special place full of walkable neighborhoods and diverse residents; historic homes; unique, eclectic retail districts; leafy parks and green spaces; community-supported public schools and libraries. We are inviting you to become a member and join us in our mission of creating a more vibrant, sustainable community.
Through your membership with FutureHeights, you will have the satisfaction of supporting the organization, get special opportunities to meet with organizational leaders, and receive exclusive invitations to member and donor events.
Details on membership levels for individuals and businesses can be found HERE.
