Changing the World, One Home at a Time!
Every summer, Old Brooklyn CDC focuses its efforts to repair the exterior of owner-occupied homes. This is an effort to address one of the greatest needs in the neighborhood, particularly for seniors, residents with disabilities, and those with low-moderate incomes. This work would not be possible without the dedication of volunteers working to make an impact in our neighborhood.
For a week every summer over the last decade, volunteers from the World Changers group travel from around the country to the Old Brooklyn neighborhood to make an impact. World Changers is a Christian organization that mobilizes volunteers from churches across the country to work in Cleveland and other cities to serve the community through week-long projects each summer. These mission trips are specifically created for student ministries excited to serve in the realm of construction. World Changers partners with local city agencies and churches to mobilize volunteers needed to help them serve residents and improve their quality of life. This year there were 280 volunteers working across the Cleveland area.
In 2014, Gateway Church (4542 Pearl Road) began partnering with World Changers. Pastor Tony Loseto and his wife Beth moved to the Old Brooklyn community in 2013, and they recognized the opportunity to bring in these volunteers to meet a crucial need of Old Brooklyn residents. What began as completing work on 2 homes in 2014 is now, with the help of World Changers, 5 homes each summer.
To date, through this collaborative partnership between OBCDC, Gateway Church, and World Changers, over 50 homeowners have been served. Speaking on the impact the World Changers volunteers have in Old Brooklyn, Pastor Tony Loseto says, “Gateway's goal is to make the heart of the Christian faith visible through practical work that makes a difference. The youth volunteers are a breath of fresh air to the life and ministry of Gateway. They come with a lot of energy & a heart to help others. The residents we help are always thankful for a fresh coat of paint on their home, but they are often more blessed by getting to interact with these exceptional young people during the week of service.”
With the help of volunteer groups like the World Changers, more than $10,000 in repairs and updates were completed this summer, making homes in Old Brooklyn safer for the homeowners who live there and maintaining the value of the homes of the neighborhood.
We are grateful for this collaborative partnership and look forward to working with Gateway and World Changers in the future to continue making an impact for Old Brooklyn homeowners!
If your home is in need of exterior repairs, please contact OBCDC at 216-459-1000 to discuss possible opportunities.
To learn more about World Changers, visit their website at https://www.world-changers.net/.