The Boys & Girls Club of  Cleveland

“The purpose of life is a life of purpose,” Dajah Spence’s said at her Youth of the Year speech earlier this year. Leading a life of purpose has been the driving force behind everything she has done in the past few years.

Defying all statistics, Dajah graduated high school in June, and will attend Bowling Green State University in the fall; a future she is both excited about and ready to embrace.

Dajah grew up in the King Kennedy public housing complex. At 17, she is currently the only member of her family of five that is employed, and she takes responsibility for meeting the needs of her younger siblings.

When she is not working or studying, you can usually find Dajah at the King Kennedy Boys & Girls Club. She became a member when she was 11 years old, and she participated in every program offered. She views the Club as one of the most important influences in her life.

“I feel like being at the Boys & Girls Club keeps you off the street. There is always someone you can talk to, especially when things get tough at home,” she explains. “It is more than just a place to hang out. It is a family here.”

Cleveland Housing Network

After escaping an emotionally abusive marriage, my daughter Joy and I became homeless. We lived in a shelter, but I eventually succumbed to depression and turned to drugs and alcohol to mask the pain. I was utterly unrecognizable by any who knew me.

After I was introduced to Cleveland Housing Network and [social worker] Tamika in 2003, my life changed drastically. I have a home. I have conquered my demons. I have returned to college after 10 years, and I have a 4.0 GPA. Eventually I plan to earn a Masters Degree and a Doctorate. My daughter is an honor roll student.

Some people come into our lives to help us fulfill our destiny. I believe CHN came into my life to help me fulfill mine. Every day, I do two things: I wake up and see myself where I want to be and refuse to stop working toward that. And every day, I reinforce to my daughter that she can make it. I teach her to have the confidence that she can do anything.

I know that without the help of CHN, and my strength in God, none of this would have been possible.        —Monique

Collaborative  to End Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in the U.S. and around the world that subjects youths and adults to force, fraud, or coercion for  sexual exploitation or forced labor. Seven religious congregations – Sisters of the Humility of Mary, Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, Sisters of the Incarnate Word, Sisters of St. Dominic of Akron, the Congregation of St. Joseph and Sisters of Notre Dame – and lay professionals operate educational and advocacy programs in Cleveland and Canton. Program expansion to Youngstown and western Ohio is planned.