Cleveland Center Opens with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

by Jocelyn Wallace, Grant Writer and Scottish Rite Charities Coordinator

The Children’s Dyslexia Center of Cleveland celebrated its 20th anniversary with the Valley of Cleveland this past April with a public ribbon cutting ceremony that marked its recent move to Rocky River, Ohio. Those in attendance included members of the Board of Governors, Center staff, and Sovereign Grand Commander David A. Glattly who assisted with the honors.

The weather was beautiful for early spring, with attendees gathering outside the Center to watch as Board Members stood side-by-side to present the commemorative purple ribbon. On a count of three, Commander Glattly and Board Chairwoman Bonnie Youngblood made the official cuts as the crowd cheered. Afterward, as a way to honor their long-term commitment to the center, the Board of Governors surprised John and Bonnie Youngblood by naming the welcome center after them.

Following a celebratory toast of sparkling grape juice and closing remarks by the Commander, attendees travelled to Berea Masonic Center for a recognition ceremony held in honor of 12 new members of the Builders Council. Membership in the Builders Council requires a

Each attending member was presented with a coveted green tie— a symbol of their ongoing pledge to support the Cleveland Center and the children it serves. At a separate event, Franck T. Kakou, 32°, was presented with a specially commissioned, first-of-its-kind pink tie. (See “Builders Council Tie Gets a New Look,” page 35 to find out how this special tie came to be.)

Part of the Children’s Dyslexia Center's great re-awakening, the Cleveland Center will continue to serve students in-person at a limited capacity until September when it hopes to fully reopen to its students and tutor trainees. In the meantime, staff and board members are very excited about the potential of the new space and what the support of the Builders Council means for its students.