Youth Opportunities Unlimited

Our Mission: Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) is a nonprofi t workforce development organization that serves teens and young adults, aged 14-24, living in economically distressed neighborhoods in Northeast Ohio. Y.O.U.’s programs and services are focused on ensuring these individuals are ready to pursue a path to economic self-su ciency through mentoring, employability skills training, career exploration and work experiences. Y.O.U. helps nearly 5,000 individuals annually, preparing them for career pathways through summer and year-round jobs, internships, for-credit high school classes, and industry-specifi c credential training. Y.O.U.’s vision is a just and equitable community where every young person is ready and confi dently pursuing a meaningful future.

216.566.5445 Youthopportunities.org

What’s New:

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the region’s only organization devoted exclusively to youth workforce development. In June, more than 1,200 teens will kick o a six-week paid summer job experience. In March 2022, Y.O.U. was named the home of the Greater Cleveland Career Consortium, a partnership of 40+ employers, education institutions, and youth-serving organizations to make sure all young people know their pathway after high school graduation. The 12th Annual Austin Carr Celebrity Golf Invitational, hosted by the Cavs legend, will take place August 15 at Quail Hollow Country Club. Golfers are paired with local sports and media celebrities and Y.O.U. youth for a fun-filled day on the links.

Interested in Helping?

Contact: Missy Toms, VP, Development & Communications 216.566.5445 | mtoms@youthopportunities.org

Top Leadership

Craig Dorn,

President & CEO

James Hardiman,

Chair of the Board

Rainbow Babies & Children’s Foundation announces new trustees, executive committee changes

The Rainbow Babies & Children’s Foundation, a supporting organization of the not-for-pro t University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s, recently announced the appointment of ve new trustees and the 202223 executive committee.

Joining the foundation are new trustees: Karen L. Greco of Gates Mills; Rebecca L. Ott-Wadhawan of Chagrin Falls; M. Lily D. Peyrat of Shaker Heights; Anna Jungeun Rathbun of May eld Heights; and Kelemwork Tariku-Shotts of Bratenahl.

“ ese amazing ve new trustees are accomplished, passionate about Rainbow, and ready to serve,” Collette Laisure, outgoing president of the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Foundation, said in a news release. “ anks to all trustees who heard the call to action for the foundation members to re ect the diverse communities served by Rainbow by electing a diverse class in 2022. “To recruit a worldly board of trustees will ensure we continue to successfully implement Rainbow’s mission.”

Laisure also said, “ e Foundation will be in the capable hands of incoming president, Danielle Weiner. We know Dani as a dynamo and in keeping with her dynamo status, she is already putting fundraising ideas into action that will bene t the children and families served by Rainbow.”

Weiner said in the release, “I am honored and humbled to lead this dynamic, talented, and diverse group of committed women as we work to improve the lives of children in our Northeast Ohio community and beyond. Our trustees are passionate volunteers and I feel so fortunate to be able to work with them as stewards of the foundation.” e 2022-23 executive committee o cers are: president, Danielle Weiner of Hunting Valley; past president, Collette Laisure of Pepper Pike; vice president, Nancy BerardinelliKrantz of Hudson; vice president/advocacy, Gail Stein of Chagrin Falls; vice president/development, Amy Foti of Orange; vice president/marketing, Kristin Gibbs of Chagrin Falls; vice president/secretary, Stacey Edwards of Chagrin Falls; vice president/treasurer, Kim Monaghan of Hunting Valley; and vice president/trustee, Lynne Cohen of Pepper Pike.

Rainbow Babies & Children’s Foundation has supported University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s with dedication, generosity and passion, according to the release, and through strong advocacy, strategic partnerships and nancial support, the trustees of the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Foundation commit to making the very best health care available to every child in Northeast Ohio and beyond.

For more information, visit UHhospitals.org/RBCF or follow RainbowBabiesFoundation on Facebook and UHRainbow_Foundation on Instagram.

Here are five reasons to donate to Goodwill

Donating your unwanted clothes and household items can be just as powerful as a nancial donation.

To many households, the warmer weather means it’s time for spring cleaning. is annual endeavor is a way to organize and declutter your home. Changing out wardrobes to warmer weather clothes is also a reason to host a “see what ts” session and clear out clothing items that no longer t.

Once the cleaning and purging is complete, most families will have a huge box or multiple bags of items no longer needed or wanted. ose unwanted items can actually be a powerful tool to help your local community … when you donate the items to Goodwill. • Making a di erence. When you donate your gently used clothing or household items to Goodwill, the revenue generated from selling those items in local stores supports local mission programs. With your donation, Goodwill provides job training for individuals with disabilities or other barriers to employment, family strengthening programs, emergency vouchers and even care to survivors of sexual assault. Last year alone, Goodwill served more than 14,000 individuals in our community thanks to donations. • Getting Organized. Putting in the e ort of getting organized, especially if this organization extends to multiple areas of your life, can help reduce stress levels long term by requiring less last-minute scrambling in a variety of everyday situations. • Recycling. Donating your items to Goodwill, instead of throwing them in the trash, means less garbage in our land lls. Last year, more than 18 million pounds of goods were diverted from area land lls because people chose to donate items instead of throw them away. If someone else can wear it – why not donate it instead? • It’s Convenient. e local Goodwill o ers more than 30 area donation centers. Visit GoodwillGoodSkills.org to nd a donation center. • A reason to shop. rift shopping is quickly becoming the go-to way for individuals and families to update their wardrobes or household items for a fraction of the price. Shopping at Goodwill stores is a treasure hunt and can produce one of a kind nds for a fraction of retail prices. And, shopping at Goodwill supports vital outreach programs.

Local Goodwill stores have a need for donations at this time.

“We have a tremendous need for donations right now,” Maureen Ater, vice president of marketing and development, said in a news release. “Donations are critical to provide product for our stores, and ultimately fund essential services to our community.”

Household items are the greatest need for Goodwill.

“We have an urgent need for pots and pans, dishes, holiday decor, knick-knacks and small appliances,” Ater said. “Donations to Goodwill are much needed and truly change lives for good.”

Goodwill can also provide tools to help area businesses or agencies host donation drives. Donations to Goodwill are tax-deductible.

Content provided by Goodwill

MAZON applauds Biden administration’s efforts on hunger

Recently, President Joe Biden answered the call of congressional leaders and anti-hunger advocates like MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, in announcing a White House conference on hunger, nutrition and health,” according to the news release.

Abby J. Leibman, MAZON’s president and CEO, applauded the announcement and urged the administration to center the conference around ending hunger once and for all:

“In convening a White House conference on an issue as persistent and pervasive as hunger, the Biden Administration has taken a vital step toward lasting policies that can end hunger in America. MAZON looks forward to participating in meaningful conversations about how the government can fully meet the needs of all those facing hunger. We at MAZON shine a spotlight on issues and communities who struggle with hunger and are too often overlooked. From military families, to single mothers, to Tribal Nations, the drivers of hunger are complex and unique – as must be the solutions. is conference is an historic opportunity to engage directly with such communities on the causes of hunger and at long last articulate impactful policy solutions to those causes,” the release stated.

“ e rst, last, and only, conference of this kind convened in 1969 and resulted in dramatically expanded and improved federal nutrition programs, which transformed our country’s social safety net. And it almost worked – we almost ended hunger. But that was over 50 years ago, and in the interim, many policymakers have dismantled essential support while racist and sexist stereotypes and myths dominate public perceptions of people facing hunger and programs like SNAP that help them survive.

“It is long past time to have a second White House conference on hunger. For years, Congressman Jim McGovern, Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Rules Committee, has been a stalwart and powerful champion calling for this White House conference on hunger. It is just and tting that it be held by this Administration, as President Biden continues his work to build back America so that it works for all Americans,” according to the release.

“Fifty years ago, we learned that a strong and comprehensive national approach to ending hunger can work. As it was undermined and circumscribed, the number of food insecure Americans began to rise; the charitable sector has tried to ll the gaps – but as tens of millions of Americans struggle with hunger every day, it’s clear that charity alone is not enough to end hunger in this country.

“Fifty years ago, we learned that together as a nation, when we use our collective wisdom and compassion, we can create policies that work – policies that get at the causes of hunger, provide meaningful support, and protect the possibility of a brighter future for all Americans.”