For September 2019, we’re excited to spotlight JumpStart Inc.– who leverages the power of entrepreneurship, innovation and inclusion to fill gaps, solve problems and drive economic impact for the clients, customers, collaborators and communities we serve.

1. How long has your organization been located in MidTown?

5/31/2011

2. What are three words to describe your organization?

Can we give you 6? These are JumpStart’s core values: Actively Inclusive, Results Driven, Collaborative, Customer Focused, Trustworthy and Entrepreneurial

3. What is something new and/or exciting that we can look forward to from your organization within the next year?

Startup Scaleup 2020! Startup Scaleup (SuSu) is an annual all-day, festival-style event intended to amplify Cleveland’s entrepreneurial community through inspiring workshops, sessions and networking events; More than 1,600 people attended Startup Scaleup 2019; located in the Flats East bank SuSu featured more than 160 experts and panelists presenting at over 50 sessions on topics including, diversity and inclusion, branding, scaling up and finding funding. 

4. Where are your team members’ favorite spots in MidTown?

Gallucci’s, Dave’s, Map of Thailand, Cleveland Bagel

5. Complete this sentence “Our dream is for MidTown to….”

Continuing growing as hub of innovation, entrepreneurship and talent.

For August 2019, we’re excited to spotlight AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland–compassionate, collaborative and comprehensive resource for those living with HIV, those at greatest risk for acquiring HIV and those who stand in support of continuing to reduce the impact of this highly preventable, and now, effectively treatable public health issue.

1. How long has your organization been located in MidTown?

since 2016

2. What are three words to describe your organization?

Design, Imagination, Collaboration

3. What is something new and/or exciting that we can look forward to from your organization within the next year?

Look for a new website and videos this fall.

4. Where are your team members’ favorite spots in MidTown?

Gallucci’s, Souper Market, Cleveland Bagel, Superior Pho

5. Complete this sentence “Our dream is for MidTown to….”

Be an inviting and inspiring area where people want to spend their evenings and weekends.

For July 2019, we’re excited to spotlight Bialosky–a multi-disciplinary design firm consisting of architects, interior designers, engineers, strategists, graphic designers, and planners.

1. How long has your organization been located in MidTown?

since 2016

2. What are three words to describe your organization?

Design, Imagination, Collaboration

3. What is something new and/or exciting that we can look forward to from your organization within the next year?

Look for a new website and videos this fall.

4. Where are your team members’ favorite spots in MidTown?

Gallucci’s, Souper Market, Cleveland Bagel, Superior Pho

5. Complete this sentence “Our dream is for MidTown to….”

Be an inviting and inspiring area where people want to spend their evenings and weekends.

For April 2019, we’re excited to spotlight The City Mission– a holistic ministry that exists to serve men, women and children at their point of crisis by assisting them in their progression toward self-sustainability.

1.How long has your organization been located in MidTown?

The City Mission has been in existence since 1910, and has been in MidTown over 25 years. The ground breaking was June 13, 1992, the relocation was completed in October 1994.

2. What are three words to describe your organization?

Committed. Collaborative. Transformative.

3. What is something new and/or exciting that we can look forward to from your organization within the next year?

We have many new and exciting updates to share from The City Mission. Not only are we constantly adapting our programming to better meet the needs of families and individuals who are hurting and homeless in 2019, but we’re also inviting the Greater Cleveland community into being a part of the solution. Perhaps the most timely event we’re looking forward to is the Stand In on June 29th. We’re bringing Cleveland together at Public Square to draw attention to the growing number of women and children in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District that experienced homelessness in the 2018-2019 school year. The Stand In is our opportunity to represent each one of these homeless children, and inspire the community to take action. We hope many of our MidTown neighbors will learn more and choose to join us from 4-7 pm on June 29th!

4. Where are your team members’ favorite spots in MidTown?

CHOMP Food Trucks, concerts at the Agora and Masonic Auditorium, Li Wah and Map of Thailand in Asiatown, and always Galluci’s for our Ride with a Mission committee meetings.

5. Complete this sentence “Our dream is for MidTown to….”

Our dream for MidTown is the same as our vision for The City Mission- to be a catalyst for positive change in Cleveland resulting in the radical transformation of individuals and communities for generations to come! We’re grateful to strive for this vision alongside the many MidTown neighbors who are making this neighborhood a place where all people feel empowered to work, live, play, and thrive.

For April 2019, we’re excited to spotlight Tech Elevator– an intensive in-person education provider helping individuals and companies acquire in-demand technology skills for the modern workforce.

1. How long has your organization been located in MidTown?

Since 2015 when we opened our doors at the Baker Electric Building.

2. What are three words to describe your organization?

Quality, innovative, life-changing.

3. What is something new and/or exciting that we can look forward to from your organization within the next year?

More career changers learning to code through our program which means more software developers entering the workforce and starting jobs at some of Cleveland’s top companies!

4. Where are your team members’ favorite spots in MidTown?

Koko Bakery, the Tech Hive, Gallucci’s, the Children’s Museum, and the new Cleveland Bagel!

5. Complete this sentence “Our dream is for MidTown to….”

Our dream is for MidTown to become a thriving destination for professionals and residents.

 

For March 2019, we’re excited to spotlight Policy Matters Ohio– a non-profit policy research institute dedicated to creating an economy that works for everyone. 

1. How long has your organization been located in MidTown?

We have been in the MidTown neighborhood since 2000. Our previous office was located across from the Board of Elections, and we moved to our current location on E. 36^th and Perkins in 2006.

2. What are three words to describe your organization?

At Policy Matters Ohio we have a problem with brevity. We describe ourselves as advocating for a Vibrant, Equitable, Sustainable and Inclusive Ohio.

3. What is something new and/or exciting that we can look forward to from your organization within the next year?

At Policy Matters, we crunch the data and analyze state-wide policy to understand how it impacts everyday Ohioans. Right now, we have a series of reports coming out on the barriers to health created by poverty. The first report was just released that outlined how racism and segregated areas of concentrated poverty contribute to poor health outcomes.

4. Where are your team members’ favorite spots in MidTown?

Our team loves visiting the restaurant offerings in MidTown for lunch. Our top three favorite lunch spots include Koko Bakery, Crust and Map of Thailand.

5. Complete this sentence “Our dream is for MidTown to….”

Our dream is for MidTown to become more vibrant, equitable, sustainable and inclusive!

For February 2019, we’re excited to spotlight The Job Search Center – an organization founded by Sue Nelson is a collection of coaching services and workshops designed to assist professionals with experience in their career transitions. 

• How long has your organization been located in MidTown?

Since its inception last year. I wanted a central location for everyone from Greater Cleveland.

• What are three words to describe your organization?

Welcoming, supportive, empowering

• What is something new and/or exciting that we can look forward to from your organization within the next year?

There are a few new things in the works:

• Website redesign (We’ll have a Grand Opening for it. Watch for Coupons for Workshops and Coaching!)
• Now that we have space in Tech Hive, a calendar of the workshops is available.
• A research project into why job seekers are held back from obtaining work, even when they are doing everything right. This project started a few years ago and is now showing patterns we can use to help job seekers overcome internal obstacles.
• An action-research project developing skills for the latest trends in networking and referral business development (And book!)
• A survey and focus group for employers to share and learn best practices for finding terrific professional candidates. Currently this process is hit or miss for many employers, leading to frustration. There has to be a better way. (This project is for employers only; not job seekers.)
• Alongside these, in development is a networking tracking software development project.

• Where are your team members’ favorite spots in MidTown?

Well, I really like Phix and Vintage Cafés.

Is Tastebuds in MidTown? (Answer: Yes!)

The Chomp, definitely!

I love Tech Hive and the walk around Dunham Tavern.

And then, of course, there’s Gallucci’s.

(I’m a Clevelander and therefore a foodie. So shoot me!)

• Complete this sentence “Our dream is for MidTown to….”

Stay secret. That way all our easy free parking, new cafes, grocery store will stay easy to access.  My clients will get here in a flash from wherever they are and my friends will come visit without any traffic. Although… it would be nice if we had enough traffic for Vintage to have their daily Happy Hour. Oh! And I would like more trees and rooftop gardens on the flat top buildings.

For January 2019, we’re excited to spotlight Growth Opportunity Partners– an organization dedicated to helping Northeast Ohio’s most promising job-creating small businesses reach their full potential.

1. How long has your organization been located in MidTown? 

Since our inception in 2014 Growth Opportunity Partners, also Growth Opps, has been in MidTown. We completed the build-out of our new dedicated space in the Link59 building at 6001 Euclid Avenue. While each community in NEO is special, we wanted to continue our growth in Midtown, so that is where we made our investment.

2. What are three words to describe your organization? 

Growth.  Opportunity.  Partners.  Yes, that is our name so perhaps we cheated a bit on that one but that really is how we came up with our name.   When you have a Growth Opportunity we want to be your Partners to help properly fund and execute on that opportunity driving the growth of the company and creating wealth for the business owner, the employees, and the community.

3. What is something new and/or exciting that we can look forward to from your organization within the next year?

We have just moved into new office space this past summer and our new space has been designed with the intent to invite the community into our space for knowledge and information sharing.  Growth Opportunity Partners will be hosting educational events geared toward our target small business clients and will be inviting other community organizations into our space to host their events with us as well.  We want to become a gathering place for the community and a clearinghouse for ideas that will move our community forward. In addition, Growth Opps is currently raising capital for the equity fund we launched for minority and women–owned businesses.  We are excited to see what our clients will accomplish with the additional support.  Stay tuned.

4. Where are your team members’ favorite spots in MidTown?

Gallucci’s is a favorite lunch spot with a fabulous lunch counter and some of the best sandwiches in town.  Gallucci’s has things you can’t get other places like Italian Easter Pie which is essentially a 2-inch-thick pepperoni pizza minus the crust and is decadent.  However, there are some newcomers to MidTown such as Vintage Tea & Coffee, located on the first floor of our building. It’s a wonderful gathering place for coffee, tea, or a quick bite to eat.

5. Complete this sentence “Our dream is for MidTown to….”

Our dream is for MidTown to continue to flourish with additional businesses calling it home.  That is a dream that I’m sure we share with many others who have interest in MidTown.  However, our dream is more specific than that.  In our version of this dream the development that takes place here in MidTown (and throughout the City) is an intentional and curated development.  The kind of development that seeks to include the current residents and to provide services and amenities that would allow the residents of MidTown and the surrounding areas to live, work and play right here in MidTown.