Community Service Alliance

Indeed, the world we are living in is quite different now than it was just a short two years ago. Every organization - every individual - has been impacted by the covid-19 pandemic, and the new reality - the "new normal" - is still unfolding. At csa, we haven't yet found the crystal ball to predict what the future holds and what, if any, additional changes are in store. However, what we have found is a stronger sense of purpose and resolve than we have ever had before. Our response to any continued impact on our operations will be immediate, aggressive and mission-driven, just as it was in the early part of 2020. Our primary goal will always be the safety and cleanliness of our houses, and the health, well-being and sobriety of the men we serve. During the most recent public health crisis, csa responded to the pandemic not with closed doors or shuttered programs, but with open minds, open arms and open hearts. We never closed our doors and we never ceased any programming. And most importantly, we did not experience one outbreak of covid-19 and only very few csa residents relapsed during the months of quarantine and Community shutdown - something for which we are very proud. In fact, we actually enhanced the programs we offer to the men we serve. Our homeward program was started in 2021 to assist men moving on from csa with the essentials to help set up their new apartment. Working in partnership with the cleveland furniture bank, csa works closely with residents who are prepared to move on to independent housing and assists with securing furniture for their new home. In addition, through a well- coordinated volunteer effort, the homeward program also secures general household items and kitchen supplies so that their move into a new place is not as daunting or expensive. In just a few short months, we have been able to help resettle five men into new homes thanks to the homeward program. Our new educational mentorship program being done in conjunction with tri-c is assisting some residents with returning to school, specifically in high-tech areas of study. It is also providing shorter-term training to help develop the skills for men to return to the workforce more quickly. This relationship with tri-c has, more recently, expanded into capacity- building efforts for csa, as we are utilizing a group of marketing students through an internship program at the college to complete an audit and strategic plan for our digital and social media platforms. When complete, csa will be much better positioned to tell our story in more effective ways and to larger audiences. In regard to our job assistance efforts, we've worked in collaboration with buckeye business products in their efforts to hire unprecedented numbers of employees from economically-disadvantaged areas and put them to work in well-paying jobs. We've also worked cooperatively with true freedom ministries to enhance job opportunities for csa residents. Within the last year, we have added brand new partnerships with m&m wintergreens, miss hal's & mom's cleaning Service, and woodpecker industries. As importantly, we continue to successfully place residents and alumni into a variety of full-time and part-time work experience opportunities to help them further their own goals and better prepare them for the next steps in their journeys. In 2021, our job assistance program placed more than 65 csa residents and alumni into part-time or full-time employment opportunities that benefit the men we serve, not only financially, but with increased self-esteem, confidence and motivation. In addition, with these men earning competitive wages, the program has a direct economic benefit to the broader Community by enabling these men to then spend their wages on goods and services in the area. Our estimate is that, in just 2021 alone, our program has had in excess of a 452,000 financial impact on the greater cleveland economy. In summary, rather than view the pandemic as a threat or a possibility of loss, csa looked at it as an opportunity ~ an opportunity to stay mission- focused and tailor our efforts to meet the changing needs of residents, referral sources, employers, and other nonprofit organizations. At csa, we believe we are well prepared to move into the future with the same level of confidence, creativity and compassion as we've operated with throughout our 17-year history. However, doing so will continue to require increased short-term support of foundations, corporations, faith communities, and individuals to help us replace the lost income of the past two years, help to sustain our programs and services, and allow us to continue to thrive in whatever new realities lie ahead.