Who We Partner with in Mission
“If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. But if you recognize that your liberation and mine are bound up together, we can walk together.” ~ Aboriginal activists group, Queensland, 1970s
Interfaith Hospitality NetworkForest Hill Church is excited to join The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cleveland–a private, non-profit organization providing hospitality, meals, and support to homeless families through a network of religious congregations and community organizations.
From the IHN Website: “The mission of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cleveland is to provide hospitality to homeless families. IHN offers compassionate care to homeless families, alleviates the trauma of homelessness and assists families in securing a stable home. IHN provides a caring, dignified environment of overnight hospitality in church and synagogue facilities, and provides an array supportive services to help families become self-sufficient.”
Forest Hill Church Member Robyn Hales addressing NOAH meeting
NOAH (Northeast Ohio Alliance for Hope)
For the past five years Forest Hill has been a lead congregation of NOAH (Northeast Ohio Alliance for Hope) - Joining with other congregations throughout the Cleveland Metro area NOAH’s mission is to organize the faith community around issues of justice and leadership development. NOAH has been at the forefront of anti-predatory lending issues, promotion of public transportation, development of the inner city.
We Believe Ohio
is a group of interfaith leaders who articulate a progressive voice in the public square. We Believe Ohio began after the 2004 election to counter the religious right and claim the fundamental Christian values of humility, hope and hospitality.
The Covenant Network
Forest Hill is a member congregation of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. The Covenant Network seeks to:
* support the mission and unity of the Presbyterian Church (USA);
* articulate and act on the church’s historic, progressive vision;
* work for a fully inclusive church that welcomes gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered people.
* find ways to live out the graciously hospitable gospel by living together with all our fellow members in the PC(USA).
Contact our Parish Associate, Rev. Tricia Dykers Koenig for more information.
Boulevard School Tutoring Program
Forest Hill has adopted the Boulevard Elementary School of the Cleveland Heights/University Heights school district. Members of the church tutor and help teachers tutoring students.
The Home Repair Resource Center
HRRC was started in 1971 as a local mission by Forest Hill Church members. Originally named “Forest Hill Church Housing Corporation,” its goal has always been to support diversity by providing homeowners with the tools and resources needed to maintain their Cleveland Heights homes.
From HRRC’s website: Our programs help residents complete repairs to their homes (both do-self and contracted), advocate for improved housing, and, on a small scale, renovate seriously deteriorated properties and return them to the community in excellent condition.
HRRC recently embarked on a massive renovation project designed to reduce the number of empty, foreclosed houses in the city by renovating and reselling them to provide funds for additional rehabs. Read about the success of its efforts and plans for the future renovations here.
Bread for the World -
Forest Hill Church supports Bread for the World with funds from our sale of grocery store certificates.
Forest Hill Church is also a long-time supporter of:
- Heights Community Congress,
- Heights Interfaith Council,
- Hillcrest Neighbors, and
- Garden Valley Neighborhood House.
Our members can be found:
- building houses with Habitat for Humanity,
- competing in a Reaching Heights spelling bee to raise funds for the public schools, or
- actively involved in important community issues such as public school reform, Candidates Night, and the effects of welfare reform.
New Opportunities to Serve
CHIME Mentoring Program
CHIME is an intergenerational mentoring program that supports elementary students in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools. This program provides training, supplies, books, and monthly support meetings for those who mentor. We are looking for caring, patient, fun-loving volunteers. You may pick the school, day of the week, time, and grade level you prefer. Since this is a relationship-building program, mentors work with the same one or two students each week for about an hour while providing encouragement in reading and language arts. The impact of individual attention, especially for students who might be unsure and easily intimidated, is remarkable. However, after listening to the mentors share their success stories, the rewards seem evenly distributed. This is a great program for those who are retired or semi-retired since the time commitment is during the school day. There is a child waiting for your wisdom, knowledge and compassion.
If you are interested, please contact:
Karen Gotwald, CHIME Coordinator
216-991-4682
klgotwald@aol.com