Revitalizing East Cleveland
by Warren L. Maye
East Cleveland, Ohio, is dealing with some tough times. The city has the lowest median income ZIP code in the country and a shrinking population. To tackle these problems, The Salvation Army’s East Cleveland Corps Community Center is stepping up to be a community hub.
Captains Travis and Zuheil Barton, corps officers and pastors, are rolling out a free day camp for kids and future educational programs such as résumé writing and SAT/GED test prep to help folks gain important skills. Even though the corps has limited resources and needs support to keep going, the Army is all about bringing hope and fresh ideas to East Cleveland despite economic, social, and political challenges.
“This unfortunate reality has led to a desperate need within the community that expands daily,” Captain Travis Barton says. “Our property stands out as a beacon of light amid chaos. We are considered one of the best buildings remaining in all of East Cleveland. As we look at what is necessary for us to remain relevant in a community that likely cannot sustain us on its own, we’re focused on how to bring hope and innovation where investment is scarce.
“Our food pantry serves as the de facto supermarket for residents, since there are no supermarkets within East Cleveland. But our goal is to be more than just a place for food distribution or recreational activities like basketball.”
New initiatives
One initiative the Bartons are launching this year is a free day camp for parents looking for safe options for their kids. There are currently no day camps available within East Cleveland’s boundaries, and during summer months, children often roam the streets without structured activities.
The first day camp will begin on June 9 immediately after the Eastern Territory’s Commissioning, and it’s already more than 50% full. They’re starting small and hiring teens and young adults from the community, Captain Travis says, with around 50 participants this year. They will assess how it works before scaling up.
There are also no full fitness gyms available nearby, so the Bartons are considering reinvigorating a membership program to maximize the potential of the corps’ sports and recreation facility.
They also aim to expand services at the corps community center beyond basics like basketball with initiatives such as SAT and GED prep, résumé writing and job application skills, and basic OSHA certification classes.
“We want to provide people with tools rather than handouts so they can improve their circumstances through empowerment,” says Captain Travis.
As the corps staff looks ahead into the fall and winter months, they know that to sustain operations amid economic challenges, they need support from various sources including Army Area Services, which is involved heavily with fundraising efforts, alongside private, committed donors.
They’re also talking to interim Mayor Sandra Morgan to avoid duplicating services that the city can provide.
“It would be devastating should The Salvation Army cease operations [here] due to lack of resources needed,” he says, “but we believe God will not let that happen.”
More than lip service
That sense of hope is born out of tangible results that Captain Travis sees walking through the door every week. The basketball program and open gym attract young people, particularly young men, to the corps—and they often become more deeply engaged.
“We were able to register 27 people for Youth Councils this past weekend due to the connections that have been made,” he says. “These individuals are ensuring that Sunday attendance is close to 50 people, if not more, every week.”
East Cleveland represented the second largest group at the recent Youth Councils. About 50% of the delegation had never attended Youth Councils before, and many of those made commitments to Christ. East Cleveland’s performance in a lip-sync battle had everybody talking.
Sometimes people may maintain a very transactional relationship with the Army; they attend for their needs but leave without deeper involvement. But Captain Travis says, “We’re fostering engagement and linking them back into worship.”
During Youth Councils, Myles Jackson, a young soldier who has been with the corps for years, received recognition as the Northeast Ohio Division’s Youth of the Year.
The East Cleveland Corps Community Center also provides Bible studies, fellowship activities, and a drop-in center for teens. Each year, The Salvation Army in East Cleveland serves over 23,000 individuals and 5,400 families, and during Christmas, they provide toys to over 1,000 children.
