PROJECT H O P E OF CLEVELAND INC
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Mission Statement
Project H.O.P.E. (Health Outreach for Prevention and Empowerment) is a small but far reaching non-profit in the City of Cleveland. The mission statement is: to provide a temporary health care safety net , for individuals in need while educating and empowering them to manage their own health, always respecting the dignity of each person we serve. Project HOPE assists over 900 – 1000 guests yearly. We are proud to serve the elderly of the urban core of our city. Specific financial support includes prescription medications, bus tickets for transport to medical appointments, dental care, handmade reading glasses and for the printing and distribution of written health and wellness-related education. Direct outreach to the community is the primary avenue for supporting our guests and we spearhead multiple clinics throughout the year. We expand the number of guests served through our Outreach Sessions.
About This Cause
For 33 years, Project H.O.P.E. has worked to meet the health needs of our community’s under and uninsured residents by breaking down barriers to accessing medical care. Project H.O.P.E. began in 1993 as a parish ministry of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church and since 2016, Project H.O.P.E. resides on the campus of St. Aloysius Church located at 10932 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44108. In 2009 Project H.O.P.E. received certification from the State of Ohio to operate as an independent non-profit corporation, at which time the organization received 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS. Our connection with various senior centers in the community and senior apartments in the area is our avenue to reach out to the residents. The sessions are well attended and the guests feel comfortable to call Project HOPE with questions, concerns or just to talk. Extra educational materials are always provided for those who are unable to attend a session. With every interaction with a guest, some type of education is provided. It can be an organized educational tool, a review of medications from a guest, addressing questions regarding healthy and safety and the provision of listening to understand emotional status . Our target community is the Superior, St. Clair, Glenville and Cleveland neighborhood however support is offered to those requesting help outside our targeted zip codes when the budget permits. United Way 211 refers approximately 250people per year. As the organization grows, services are modified to meet the changes in the healthcare environment and the community. Our primary services include financial assistance for prescription medications, over the counter medications if prescribed by a PCP or Nurse Practioner, and bus tickets for transportation to medical appointments, dental support, vision and education. Our education tools are the foundation of our focus and are extremely important for the guests. Inclusion is important and therefore we ask our guests “What are the learning needs?” There ideas help Project HOPE ensure their ideas and education and safety needs are addressed. Printing and postage costs have risen however our support from foundations, our annual fundraiser and donations assist PH in our journey to educate and help our guests. Our medication program continues to be the only program in the county. Local pharmacies are our partners and their partnerships are a valuable asset to our work to ensure the best pricing. Project HOPE has partnered with Sheliga Drug on St. Clair Avenue and together, we set up a process for the guests to obtain a letter to outline the amount we will support and then receive a monthly bill from Sheliga. This partnership is important and our guests are so appreciative of the help. Over the last 12 months, we have partnered with the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals Population Health Departments to support the needs of guests with their prescriptions. Our criteria must be met prior to approving any request.Along with our prescription and bus ticket programs referrals are made for medical services and other community resources. Many people seeking our assistance do not have a relationship with a primary care provider or they may be seeking a provider for a needed specialty service (prenatal, audiology, vision, dental care, etc.). We provide information about low-cost or free medical services as well as referrals for additional support (resources for housing, utilities, clothing, food, employment training, etc.). We are now partnered with a local insurance agent who works with our guests to enroll them in supplemental plans for medications, vision and dental. A local optometrist is a new partner and assists with the appropriate reading glasses for each guest. This is a new service and we are tracking the outcomes, including the number of guests and the cost per guest which is approximately $45, the interest, and volumes. Project H.O.P.E. will capitalize on any new concept as long as it meets our mission. Outreach sessions are offered for the following services: • Monthly Foot Clinics- The events are supported by volunteer nurses, Community Health Care Workers, and administrative assistants. Each guest receives educational tools, support socks, a healthy snack, and various hand sanitizers, masks and antibacterial soaps. Our Podiatrist will also donate shoe inserts for our guests from time to time. • Monthly education sessions are offered at the local Senior Centers and senior apartments. The topics relate to all chronic diseases, the flu, and ongoing updates on Covid variants, emotional and mental issues, as well as any topic our guests request. We reach between 20 – 50 people per Outreach session. • Health education to help identify and manage chronic conditions, thus avoiding catastrophic outcomes of untreated illnesses. The tools are created at a 5th grade level for reading and our phone number is identified on each tool to assist with questions or concerns. Chair exercises are offered and our guests walk away feeling motivated and satisfied. • Project H.O.P.E. has now taken over the St. Vincent Charity Hospital Outreach Diabetic teaching class. This important class began in February 2023 and we hold bimonthly sessions on the Charity campus. We touch 20 – 30 guests per session. The sessions are two hours and education is focused on the chronic impact of Diabetes, healthy life styles, proper eating selections, exercise, and emotional strength. This was an unbudgeted addition to our expenses however the impact on the people is so important. We are proud to keep this class going for that specific community. • Dental assessment clinics to ensure dental needs are addressed and referrals are made to Care Alliance and Case Western Reserve Geriatric School of Dentistry. • An eye assessment for reading glasses and frames is a new venture as of October 18, 2023. Partnering with a local Optometrist, he will complete an assessment, make the reading glasses and Project HOPE will teach on Eye Care. This is a service over and above the relationship we have with Prevent Blindness Ohio (PBO) for total eye exams plus frames. The Optometrist is in the process of being trained by PBO to complete eye assessments with referral to PBO for indepth eye exams. Educational tools include specifics on disease processes, nutrition, blood pressure management, diabetes management, Covid updates, Flu, and any request from our guests. Our tools are distributed in local laundromats, and at various centers in our community. With the support of our volunteers, physicians, nursing students, podiatrists, dentists, and community health care workers, we have extended our outreach programs. We continue to outreach those unable to attend our Outreach sessions with our one on one calls and many guests are referred to Project HOPE by other guests. WIFI is not a common thread among our guests so mailing pertinent education is the primary way we deliver information. The emotional and mental health of our guests is a primary focus and is addressed in a variety of ways: ideas to combat loneliness, chair exercises to improve mental psyche, and by just listening to our guests about their troubles and concerns. A local school makes cards for each season and these cards are hand delivered or given out at all our sessions. The smiles and thanks from our guests are priceless. The health of the residents in the area Project H.O.P.E. serves are disparately impacted by living in Cleveland's urban core. Environmental and societal factors in these communities place individuals at higher risk for chronic physical and mental health conditions. Health screenings are important tools to identify concerns, educate, and offer support in treating and monitoring issues before they become severe. Medications are often needed to manage chronic conditions; however, reliable access to prescription medication is a challenge. Over the counter medications are now supported with our program. Treatment for the Flu, RSV or Covid is primarily with OTCs so we added this to our list for support. Transportation is a major challenge for our guests and bus tickets allow them to attend important medical appointments and as a means to go to the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions and receive vaccinations and/or boosters. Our process of education is the foundation for our program. Guests are educated at every interaction, phone call, outreach session, and with the mailing of prescription payments, bus tickets, and on the phone as our guests call for support. Referrals are made for requests for food, and follow up calls are made to ensure our guests received the food or were able to attend the local food distributions in the neighborhood. Community health care workers support our guests by going to the local food distribution centers and then delivering to homes. This process is ongoing and supports the safety of our guests. A local Catholic school provides handmade cards to be distributed to the local senior centers. The cards are for Valentine’s Day, spring, fall and the winter holiday season. A card mailed with financial support is a positive on all counts for our guests. This also supports the education of students in understanding the importance of service. Project HOPE is small but mighty in our approach to the people we serve. We listen to our guests, allow them to talk about their needs, and educate them on all disease processes both physical and mental. Referrals are made to other agencies above medical and we will follow up to ensure our guests have received the appropriate support. Our creativity ensures our guests enjoy their time at all our Outreach Sessions. Along with our teaching tools, we purchase items that will support our guests as we educate on a variety of topics. These item remind all of the importance of our educational sessions. A flashlight, socks, or eating diary go a long way.