We.
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Open Doors Academy
We. The big, plural we. The we that our nation was built on. During this year’s ODA annual report summer camp, our kids learned about the many facets of democracy. The press’s role in providing the first draft of history. Cleveland’s vital role in the Underground Railroad. The role of citizens and politicians fighting together to make homes lead-safe for kids and families. The role of the Ohio Supreme Court in ensuring equal justice. The role the Maltz Museum plays in celebrating Jewish history and heritage in these United States. The kids learned the power of we. And we learned the future of American democracy is in very good hands.
Protect. Inspire. Nurture. Challenge.
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For the last ten years, ODA scholars have helped build our annual report during a summer camp, because we believe no one tells our story better than our kids.
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Open Doors Academy
Our model At the core of ODA’s model is building a safe haven filled with support, creating a sense of community, and fostering kids’ confidence. ODA builds this environment by engaging parents, teachers, and other community partners.
About us Open Doors Academy is a Greater Cleveland nonprofit organization committed to ending the cycle of poverty through out-of-school time enrichment for middle and high school students and our alumni. We create ambassadors of change who make a positive influence in the Cleveland community and beyond. Our scholars participate in project-based learning, academic tutoring, full-day summer camps, and service-learning trips—all of which are built around their developmental needs.
ODA mission Open Doors Academy works to protect, inspire, nurture, and challenge youth to reach their full potential.
Our vision Open Doors Academy seeks to provide best-in-class services to its scholars, alumni, and their families. Focusing on growing its footprint throughout Greater Cleveland, while advancing its reputation as a statewide and national leader in outof-school time education, ODA serves as a foundation of education, investing in the lifelong learning of its scholars, their families, and our staff.
Protect. Inspire. Nurture. Challenge.
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A word from our CEO
Name Dorothy Moulthrop, Ph.D.
Years at ODA 2019–Present
Role Chief Executive Officer
Doctoral Degree Ph.D. in Education Policy and Leadership, The Ohio State University
Graduate Degree Masters of Education, Ursuline College
Undergraduate Degree B.A. in Comparative Literature and Italian, Northwestern University Certificate in Teaching, University of California
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Open Doors Academy
To those who believe youth are our future, Protect. Our first pledge in our mission statement is to protect youth. To that end, the ODA team has been working harder than ever to safeguard the health of our scholars, especially as we approach the summer. ODA has always shifted into overdrive at the end of the school year, because we recognize that summer is the ideal time to go deep with kids. To expose them to opportunities in a structured, fun, and safe way. This summer, we will offer our scholars and families opportunities to learn and grow. We will provide virtual and in-person camps throughout the summer. For seven weeks, we will deliver learning kits to our kids. We will distribute books and host a reading camp for their younger siblings. We will provide resources for families and games for them to play together.
That is why our kids need us now more than ever. Four members of the ODA Board of Directors are challenging you today. They will match your gift, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $20,000. With your help, we can do more than just protect our kids. We will protect, inspire, nurture, and challenge them to reach their full potential this summer. And when a strange new school year starts, we’ll be there for them, too. Every gift counts. Your gift counts. What do you say? In gratitude for your support, Dr. Dorothy Moulthrop Chief Executive Officer
Sure, this summer will look a little bit different than in years past, but our commitment to our kids remains the same. We are 100% for our kids. We do all of this because we know that poverty and all the things that fuel it work against our children’s success, both in and out of the classroom. That truth is compounded by the fact that our kids have been out of school since mid-March, and the fall is still uncertain.
Protect. Inspire. Nurture. Challenge.
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From the top clockwise: Jamiyah Putmon (Mound STEM Elementary School), Cynsear Cruz (Orchard STEM Elementary School), Michael Moore (Cleveland Heights High School)
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Open Doors Academy
Programming to help our scholars from 5th through life Our mission is to protect, inspire, nurture, and challenge our kids and their families. Now more than ever, we play a vital role in ensuring our scholars benefit from each pillar of our mission. First and foremost, we’re working to protect our families. We know learning and development can’t happen if they don’t feel safe and secure. As they’ve migrated to virtual classrooms, we made sure all of scholars had the necessary equipment and access to continue their schooling. The ODA team has helped our scholars stay motivated and connected. For our high schoolers, we’ve started to arrange virtual college tours.
This summer, we’ll provide a wide variety of camps and programming for our middle school scholars. Ensuring they are inspired and challenged during those months they aren’t in school.
There is always more we can do. And with your help, we will guide our scholars through these challenging times. Please donate today.
88
¢
of every dollar goes directly toward programming. Please donate today. Your gift makes a huge difference in the lives of our families.
Protect. Inspire. Nurture. Challenge.
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Alumni spotlight
Name LaChe’ Thomas, J.D.
Years at ODA 2004–2006
Campus Roxboro Middle School & St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Graduate Degree Juris Doctor
Undergraduate Degree B.A. in Criminal Justice, double minor in History and English, completed Pre-Law Certificate
Graduate School Howard University College of Law
Undergraduate College The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania First degree-granting HBCU, founded in 1854
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Open Doors Academy
Don’t be afraid to be great. —LaChe’ Thomas At ODA, there was tutoring, there were trips, and there was camping. It was just an all around, overall great program to be in as a youth. When I was in school, I always wanted to get the best grades, and having tutors help us for an hour or an hour and a half while providing snacks was great. I was able to nourish myself so that I was not starving while trying to learn. Having someone who looked like me help me with homework assignments also encouraged me to do my best. That influence and that representation is very important to youth, who are so impressionable at that age.
Protect. Inspire. Nurture. Challenge.
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By the numbers Total Enrolled
Postsecondary Program 319 Middle School
70 Four-year degree program
190 High School
28 Two-year degree program
426 Total
3 Military 101 Total
Race
Household Income 331 African American
120 Extremely low
18 Multiracial
21 Low
14 Hispanic/Latinx
73 Moderately Low
6 White or European
16 High
4 Other
1 : 1—The ODA board of directors is matching each dollar we raise up to $20,000. So when you give today your gift has an even greater impact.
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Open Doors Academy
Family Engagement
Summer Program
1,524
48
Family members served
Summer Camps
366
27
Families served
Summer Camps Run by Community Partners
$50,760—ODA alumni’s average salary after completion of their postsecondary options. Protect. Inspire. Nurture. Challenge.
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There is so much more we can do. But we can’t do it without you. Please consider making a donation today, so we can continue our important mission of protecting, inspiring, nurturing, and challenging our kids.
We had an ambitious idea for this year’s portrait of our annual report camp participants: fill Cleveland City Council Chambers with our small team. See how many times you can spot each scholar. Design: Little Jacket Photography: Paul Sobota
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Open Doors Academy
Protect. Inspire. Nurture. Challenge.
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Every donation makes a difference. Your gift transforms lives.
Open Doors Academy is a Greater Cleveland-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to ending the cycle of poverty through educational support systems for middle school and high school students. ODA scholars become ambassadors of change who make a positive influence in the Cleveland community and beyond. For more information and to donate, visit odacle.org