Success Stories

Signs of flourishing in our communities

Blythe Oldfield

Established in the early 1900’s, Blythe Oldfield was a solid middle working-class neighborhood for years. Over time, outside factors led to neighborhood decline resulting in closed or relocated businesses and a decline in owner-occupied home ownership. The residents left behind felt forgotten. Though significant changes have occurred over the past decade, it is still one of Cleveland’s most economically distressed, disadvantaged, and overlooked communities.

1919

Year established

$20K

Median household income

30%

Homeownership rate

Blythe to Blythe: Sidewalks

We worked with many partners including the Lyndhurst Foundation to implement sidewalks that stretch from one end of the Blythe Oldfield neighborhood to the other.

The project produced improved walkability and safety (especially for school children), as well as the built environment of the neighborhood by connecting the streets with sidewalks.

New sidewalks in the Blythe Oldfield neighborhood

New sidewalks next to black chain link fence in Blythe Oldfield neighborhood

New sidewalks in a residential neighborhood in Blythe Oldfield

Park & pavillion

We worked with multiple partners to revitalize the Blythe Oldfield Park with new equipment, a new basketball court, safety upgrades, and better spaces for gathering.

The project increased accessibility to safe and beautiful public spaces for residents, and increased the walkability of the
neighborhood.

New playground slides in Blythe Oldfield Park

Entrance to the new playground at Blythe Oldfield Park

Street sign on the playground at Blythe Oldfield Park

Business facade upgrades

We completed facade upgrades for 5 local resident-owned businesses. These included two local restaurants, a print shop, a hardware store, and a grocery store.

Renovated storefront at Beaty's Hardware

Renovated street sign at Beaty's Hardware

Dos Aces storefront entrance before renovation

Advance Screenprinting renovated storefront

Advance Screenprinting storefront before renovation

Cameron's Restaurant renovated street sign

Cameron's Restaurant entrance before renovation

TVA efficient upgrades

Thanks to a grant and working partnership with TVA, City Fields was able to implement energy efficiency improvements to over 413 homes in East Cleveland.

BOCA and Youth gardens

We have established two gardens in Blythe Oldfield: a resident-led community garden, and a youth garden focused on youth education through gardening.

Little girl holding squash at BOCA Community Garden

Volunteers tilling garden beds at BOCA Community Garden

Small tomato plant at Youth Community Garden

Affordable homeownership

Through our Affordable Homeownership program, we build or renovate homes in the community and offer them at affordable prices to low-moderate income individuals and families who are either first-time home buyers, public servants, or local resident renters.

College Hill

College Hill is a historically black neighborhood, that is currently home to approximately 500 working class and elderly families. Segregation and racism brought infrastructure projects that isolated the community during the 1960’s and 70’s, from which they never recovered.
Read more of its history

1863

Year established

74%

Residents earning below Cleveland median income ($46k)

40%

Homeownership rate

Community garden

One of our initial collaborations with the community, this garden is a source of neighborhood engagement while providing access to healthy food options.