The City Mission is committed serving those in need in Cleveland.  We work with many individuals and organizations every day to deliver those services. The purpose of Collaborate for a Greater Cleveland community development group  and blog is to share what we have learned and encourage efficient and effective collaborations in the community. 

 Periodic meetings of Collaborate for a Greater Cleveland, the community development group sponsored by the Mission,  focuses on prayer or guest speakers and draws interested parties together for networking, the exchange of ideas and identify needs and opportunities for collaboration.

The Blog

 This blog is intended for those affiliated with the Mission to share insights gathered from almost 100 years of serving our client population and stimulate conversations with people who are currently or would like to be involved in making a true difference in the community. Although the conversations focus primarily on the central city of Cleveland, many of the priniciples are  applicable throughout Northeast Ohio. 

However, we also realize that many others have valuable points to contribute to the larger discussion of how to care for those in need and provide resources to create lasting change in the community. We encourage others to comment on the topics covered as well as submitting their own ideas for new discussions as guest bloggers.

Collaborate for a Greater Cleveland:  Grassroots Community Development

The City Mission has been hosting community gatherings since October 2006 when Dr. John Perkins drew a crowd of 170 concerned church, community and business leaders to hear about the principles of Christian Community Development. Since that initial meeting, over 400 individuals from churches, non-profit organizations, government entities and local businesses have attended one or more in a monthly series of community engagement meetings.

The CGC Vision Statement expresses our expectation for the future:

“Collaborate for a Greater Cleveland is a faith-based strategic center for driving positive change in the central city.  This diverse forum coordinates action through partnering, collaborating, and networking individuals and organizations to address critical community issues with maximum effeciency.”

These meetings have been both formal and informal, providing opportunity for prayer, planning and collaboration. A smaller leadership team of 20 was appointed by the larger group and meets monthly to work through the logistics, infrastructure and mission of the larger group.

As a result of their work, a Mission Statement has been constructed and reads as follows:

“Igniting parnerships to bring hope and transformation to Greater Cleveland through the love of Jesus Christ.” 

The hope is that this mission statement will provide guidance and inspiration to Cleveland’s faith-based community as we move forward together.  This unity of purpose based on a shared vision and commitment will help foster an environment ripe for partnerships of all kinds to form, involving and reaching all segments of our city, and ultimately leading to the transformation of Cleveland and the glory of God!