Partners Fight Poverty Cleveland Clinic and KeyBank Foundation invest a combined $4.6 million to United Way. BY JOANNE CAHILL
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lead safety efforts. “The coalition has drawn from the experiences, needs and assets of residents, landlords and experts to develop comprehensive policy recommendations that address lead exposure at its source — Cleveland’s housing stock.” Thakur explains that lead poisoning cannot be reversed once detected. Small children living in older homes are at the greatest risk of exposure, which can lead to lifelong damage, including cognitive impairment, developmental delays, hearing and speech problems, inattention and lowered IQ. At the highest levels, lead exposure can damage kidneys and blood and nervous systems, as well as lead to a coma, convulsions or death in the worst cases. “The take-home message here is clear,” she adds. “Primary prevention is critical.” The Lead Safe Home Fund provides families and property owners with the resources they need to make homes lead safe. With the Cleveland Clinic gift, along with investment from the public sector, private sector and other philanthropic partners, the funds raised to
date total $45 million. The estimated cost to reach the goal of making Cleveland lead safe is $99 million. August A. Napoli Jr., president and CEO of United Way of Greater Cleveland, says that the Lead Safe Coalition is a good example of what he views as an essential role for United Way — being a leader, convener and partner. “We are uniquely suited for this role,” he says. “We are an objective partner and in a unique position to build trust and develop relationships. “In two years, the coalition has already raised nearly half of this money,” he says. “It is within reach to raise the remaining funds and solve the lead problem.” Napoli says the harm caused by lead is just one of many hurdles in the fight against poverty. He views the $2.1 million gift from KeyBank as a critical opportunity for real progress. He also praises KeyBank’s longstanding leadership in the community, with nearly $23 million in support to United Way since 2000. “Our teammates have a long history of supporting the United Way here
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arge donations to United Way of Greater Cleveland from Cleveland Clinic and KeyBank Foundation are earmarked for two widescale efforts aimed at tackling poverty and its long-term effects. A $2.5 million, five-year commitment from Cleveland Clinic will support the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition, a public/private partnership among local organizations and individuals dedicated to removing harmful sources of lead exposure from area homes. At the same time, KeyBank Foundation announced its three-year $2.1 million investment in United Way’s Community Hub for Basic Needs, established to uplift those living in the deepest poverty across Greater Cleveland. Collaboration and partnership are common denominators among both projects. “It’s a really phenomenal achievement to unite so many voices from public, private, corporate and philanthropic sectors in an effort to prevent lead poisoning in our community,” says Dr. Roopa Thakur, a Cleveland Clinic pediatrician who is heading up the clinic’s
