Famicos Foundation Inc

TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN GREATER CLEVELAND THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND INTEGRATED SOCIAL SERVICES.

FAMICOS FOUNDATION ORGANIZATIONAL NARRATIVE FAMICOS FOUNDATION IS ONE OF CLEVELAND'S OLDEST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS (CDC), FOUNDED IN 1969 BY SISTER HENRIETTA GORRES, CSA SHORTLY AFTER THE HOUGH RIOTS AND INCORPORATED IN 1970. FAMICOS FOUNDATION HAS BEEN SERVING RESIDENTS OF CUYAHOGA COUNTY FOR THE PAST 53 YEARS, ESPECIALLY CLEVELAND'S GLENVILLE, HOUGH, AND ST CLAIR - SUPERIOR NEIGHBORHOODS. THE NAME FAMICOS COMES FROM "FAMILIES IN COOPERATION", AS SR. HENRIETTA BELIEVED THAT LASTING NEIGHBORHOOD CHANGE COULD ONLY COME FROM THE RESIDENT FAMILIES WORKING TOGETHER TOWARD CHANGE. FAMICOS HAS A STAFF OF 54 EMPLOYEES WORKING ACROSS NINE DEPARTMENTS AND FOUR LINES OF BUSINESS. WITH A MISSION OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN GREATER CLEVELAND THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND INTEGRATED SOCIAL SERVICES, WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN DEVELOPING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ESPECIALLY THE PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES. IN 2014 FOLLOWING THE REDRAWING OF CITY OF CLEVELAND WARD BOUNDARIES AND THE DEMISE OF SISTER CDC, GLENVILLE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION THAT WAS SERVING GLENVILLE, FAMICOS FOUNDATION TOOK THE LEAD ON SERVING THE GLENVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD. IN THAT SAME YEAR, FAMICOS FOUNDATION BECAME A CHARTER MEMBER OF NEIGHBORWORKS AMERICA, A NETWORK OF EXCELLENCE IN NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION, WITH 250 CHARTERED MEMBERS ACROSS THE US. FAMICOS FOUNDATION HAS ALSO BEEN THE "COMMUNITY QUARTERBACK" OF THE GLENVILLE PURPOSE BUILT COMMUNITIES PROGRAM OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS. PURPOSE BUILT COMMUNITIES (PBC) IS A NON-PROFIT CONSULTING ORGANIZATION THAT USES A MODEL OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAMS FOCUSED AROUND AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO TRANSFORM THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE SCHOOL BECOMES THE BEST SCHOOL FOR PARENTS TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN, WHICH MAKES THE NEIGHBORHOOD A CHOICE PLACE TO LIVE AND RAISE A FAMILY. FAMICOS IS COLLABORATING WITH THE CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT (CMSD), CLEVELAND FOUNDATION AND A HOST OF OTHER STAKE HOLDERS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PBC MODEL IN GLENVILLE, WHICH IS ONE OF TWO SITES IN CLEVELAND. MARY BETHUNE K-12 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS THE EPICENTER OF PBC ACTIVITIES WITH THE GOAL OF TRANSFORMING IT FROM ITS CURRENT STATUS AS A C SCHOOL TO AN A SCHOOL. FAMICOS FOUNDATION IS A STATE, COUNTY AND CITY CHDO AND SERVES FIVE COUNTIES IN THE CLEVELAND AREA: CUYAHOGA, LAKE, GEAUGA, PORTAGE, AND MEDINA COUNTIES. IN 2006, WE DEVELOPED A 106 AFFORDABLE UNIT PROJECT IN MEDINA COUNTY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MILLENNIA HOUSING MANAGEMENT GROUP OF COMPANIES. IN 2017, FAMICOS AND MILLENNIA IN PARTNERSHIP ACQUIRED A 348-UNIT APARTMENT COMMUNITY IN PORTAGE COUNTY, WHICH HAS 233 AFFORDABLE UNITS. AS SUCH, FAMICOS FOUNDATION'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS (13 ACTIVE MEMBERS) ARE CHOSEN FROM THESE FOUR COUNTIES WITH THE MAJORITY FROM CUYAHOGA COUNTY, MAINLY THE CITY OF CLEVELAND. FAMICOS FOUNDATION OWNS AND / OR MANAGES 21 PARTNERSHIPS OR 850 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE AND MIXED-INCOME HOUSING FOR FAMILIES, SENIORS AND FORMERLY CHRONICALLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS. FAMICOS SIGNATURE MARKET RATE HOMES ARE LOCATED ON E. 105TH STREET WITHIN A DEVELOPMENT CALLED HERITAGE LANE. HERITAGE LANE CONSISTS OF THIRTEEN HISTORIC FORMER DUPLEXES CONVERTED TO SINGLE UNITS AND SELLING AT 300,000 AND ABOVE. ALL THIRTEEN UNITS ARE SOLD TO OWNER OCCUPANTS. IN 2013, FAMICOS COMPLETED THE DOAN CLASSROOM APARTMENTS (13 MILLION) AND THE UNIVERSITY TOWERS APARTMENTS (27 MILLION). IN 2016, FAMICOS COMPLETED A SUBSTANTIAL RENOVATION OF NOTRE DAME APARTMENTS (10.6 MILLION) USING THE 9% LIHTC FUNDING PROGRAM. IN 2018, FAMICOS RENOVATED THE MEDICAL ARTS BUILDING ON E 105 ST TO BECOME A MIXED-USE BUILDING WITH 12 LIVING UNITS ABOVE A COMMERCIAL SPACE. IN 2021, FAMICOS COMPLETED THE CONSTRUCTION AND LEASE UP OF 30 SINGLE FAMILY SCATTERED SITE HOUSING UNITS USING THE 9% LIHTC FUNDING IN A PROJECT CALLED CIRCLE NORTH HOMES. IN ADDITION TO ITS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AND REAL ESTATE LINES OF BUSINESS, FAMICOS FOUNDATION HAS TWO ADDITIONAL LINES OF BUSINESS: COMMUNITY BUILDING AND ENGAGEMENT (CB&E) AND OUR HOMEOWNERSHIP RESOURCE CENTER (HRC). IN 2019, WE CREATED HRC TO ASSIST LOW AND MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES TO MAKE THE TRANSITION FROM RENTER TO HOME OWNER. HRC PROVIDES A HOST OF FINANCIAL LITERACY TOOLS TO CLIENTS, INCLUDING GROUP CLASSES, ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING, CREDIT REPAIR, AND BUDGETING. EVEN THROUGH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, HRC CONTINUED TO OFFER CLASSES AND COUNSELING VIRTUALLY, HELPING OVER 130 CLIENTS UNLOCK THEIR POTENTIAL FINANCIAL STRENGTH. THE TAX LAB IS A PART OF THE EITC CUYAHOGA COALITION AND HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN THE MOST PRODUCTIVE SITE IN THE COUNTY, PREPARING AROUND 3,000 TAX RETURNS FOR LOW-INCOME WORKING FAMILIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE FAMICOS CARES: LEGALWORKS PROGRAM ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS WITH MINOR MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES AND OUTSTANDING WARRANTS THROUGH FREE RECORDS EXPUNGEMENT SERVICES. THROUGH 2019 AND 2020 AND 2021, DESPITE THE PANDEMIC LOCK DOWNS, LEGAL WORKS SEALED 1600 RECORDS, ALLOWING OUR CLIENTS TO GET BETTER JOBS AND MORE CHOICES IN LIFE. RECENTLY, FAMICOS WAS CHOSEN BY THE CITY OF CLEVELAND, ALONG WITH TWO OTHER NONPROFITS, TO ADMINISTER THE CITY'S LEAD HAZARD CONTROL PROGRAM IN GLENVILLE. THE LEAD PROGRAM OFFERS GRANTS FOR HOME REPAIR TO ELIGIBLE HOMEOWNERS AND LANDLORDS WITH PROPERTIES CONTAINING LEAD. FAMICOS HAS EXPANDED ITS OWN HOME REPAIR PROGRAM TO ASSIST LOW-INCOME SENIORS, DISABLED PERSONS, AND SINGLE-MOTHERS TO CONTINUE TO LIVE IN THEIR HOMES SAFELY AND FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS TO "AGE IN PLACE". IN 2020 AND 2021, FAMICOS REPAIRED 48 AND 60 HOMES, RESPECTIVELY, ACROSS FOUR DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS. THE COMMUNITY BUILDING AND ENGAGEMENT (CB&E) DEPARTMENT WORKED TIRELESSLY DURING THE PANDEMIC TO MAKE SURE SENIORS, DISABLED PERSONS, AND THE IMMUNE-COMPROMISED HAD FOOD, TOILETRIES, AND DISINFECTANTS DURING THE LOCKDOWN WHEN THEY COULD NOT GO TO STORES FOR THESE ITEMS WITHOUT ENDANGERING THEIR HEALTH. MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE HAVE BENEFITED FROM THIS PROGRAM ACROSS THE CITY OF CLEVELAND. AS SOON AS COVID-19 VACCINES BECAME AVAILABLE, FAMICOS TOOK THE LEAD IN OUR COMMUNITIES IN ASSISTING RESIDENTS TO GET THE VACCINE. FAMICOS FOUNDATION IS A BENEFICIARY OF GRANT FUNDING FROM THE CDC TO SUPPORT EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS TO INCREASE INFLUENZA AND COVID-19 VACCINE CONFIDENCE AMONG ADULTS IN RACIAL AND ETHNIC POPULATIONS EXPERIENCING DISPARITIES IN THE UNITED STATES. BECAUSE OF ITS SUCCESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS GRANT FUNDING FAMICOS RECEIVED SECOND FUNDING IN PARTNERING FOR VACCINE EQUITY (P4VE) EQUITY PROGRAM. FAMICOS PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION, SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS, AND SCHEDULED CLINICS, HELPING 260 PEOPLE OF VULNERABLE POPULATIONS FOR VACCINATION VACCINATED. IT IS NO SURPRISE THAT FAMICOS FOUNDATION WAS SELECTED AS RECIPIENT OF OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH/CDC FOUNDATION GRANT TO EDUCATE OUR CLIENTELE ON OPIOID OVERDOSE, INFANT MORTALITY, MATERNAL HEALTH & REPRODUCTION, INFANT HEALTH & MORTALITY, AND VACCINE EDUCATION & AWARENESS. OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSING ON OPIOID OVERDOSE PREVENTION SEMINARS. FAMICOS CB&E DEPARTMENT ALSO OFFERS COMPUTER CLASSES, AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORIALS AND MENTORING FOR THE YOUTH AS WELL AS SUMMER EMPLOYMENT AND RESOURCE FAIRS. IN 2020, FAMICOS WAS ONE OF EIGHT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTRY TO BE AWARDED AN URBAN AGRICULTURE GRANT FROM THE USDA. OUR COMMUNITY PRODUCE GARDENS PROVIDE EDUCATION FOR ALL AGES, FOOD FOR FAMILIES WHO GROW THERE, PRODUCE TO BE SOLD AT OUR FARMER'S MARKET AND PRODUCE FOR SCHOOL PANTRIES. FAMICOS' COMMITMENT TO THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS IS ALSO EVIDENT IN OUR RAIN BARREL, COMPOSTING, RECYCLING, TREE-PLANTING, WALKING, BIKING AND COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAMS. AT FAMICOS FOUNDATION, WE PLACE HIGH PRIORITY ON YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT. OUR EMPHASIS ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT MADE FAMICOS A PERFECT FISCAL AGENT PARTNER FOR MYCOM, A NON-PROFIT THAT PROVIDES RESOURCES TO YOUTH IN OVER 20 GREATER CLEVELAND COMMUNITIES. MYCOM ASSISTS YOUTH TO CONNECT, NAVIGATE AND BE PRODUCTIVE DURING OUT OF SCHOOL SUMMER TIME AND AS THEY TRANSITION TO EMPLOYMENT. A MYCOM NETWORK OF CLEVELAND PARTNERSHIPS PROVIDES SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITY TO INSURE SUCCESS. WHILE FAMICOS FOUNDATION HAS HOUSED ONE FULL-TIME MYCOM EMPLOYEE FOR SEVERAL YEARS, IN 2020 WE BECAME FISCAL AGENTS FOR MYCOM, SPONSORING THEIR 3 MILLION OPERATING BUDGET. FAMICOS ENGAGES THE MYCOM SYSTEM FOR OUR SUMMER YOUTH LANDSCAPING PROGRAM AND URBAN AGRICULTURE PROGRAM. THIS SUMMER, FAMICOS IS EMPLOYING 20 YOUTHS UNDER FAMICOS AND AN ADDITIONAL 20 UNDER MYCOM. FAMICOS FOUNDATION IS KNOWN FOR ITS ABILITY TO COMPLETE PROJECTS. AS A RESULT, FAMICOS IS AMONG THE ORIGINAL ELITE SIX CDCS TO RECEIVE CLEVELAND NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRESS (CNP) LARGE GRANTS FOR THE STRATEGIC INVESTMENT INITIATIVE (SLL) PROGRAM AND MAINTAINS THAT FUNDING EVERY YEAR. CURRENTLY, FAMICOS IS AMONG NINE CDCS CURRENTLY RECEIVING OPERATING FUNDING FROM CNP IN THE RESTRUCTURING YEAR OF THE GRANT CYCLE. FAMICOS FOUNDATION DEVELOPED A NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATI