Cuyahoga County Welcome Center Grand Opening 4261 Fulton Parkway, Cleveland February 14, 2024
The ribbon was cut at a new Welcoming Center in Cuyahoga County on February 14, 2024. It will provide Immigrant, Refugee and Language Services. Services provided include: Workforce training, Educational Services, Healthcare, Legal support, Housing and Public benefits.
Joe Cimperman, President of Global Cleveland, served as MC of the event.
Joe Cimperman
Joe introduced County Executive Chris Ronayne who spoke about the Center and thanked the partners and attendees. Chris then called up Tina Coleman who will be the manager of the Center.
NOTE: All the images below with a white arrow in the middle are videos. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video of whatever is described. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.
Tina Coleman and Chris Ronayne
Next, Joe Cimperman introduced Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Meredith Turner who gave her remarks.
Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Meredith Turner
The new Welcome Center is in Ward 13 and Joe Cimperman introduced Ward 13 Cleveland City Councilman Kris Harsh gave his remarks.
Ward 13 Cleveland City Councilman Kris Harsh
Patrick Kearns, Executive Director of Re:Source Cleveland (formerly The Refugee Response) spoke next.
Patrick Kearns
Patrick Kearns introduced one of his team members from Re:Source Cleveland, Thomas Kate, who is originally from Burma and has been with the organization from the start.
Thomas Kate from Re:Source Cleveland
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne shared a couple of stories about his family when they arrived in the United States. Watch the video to see how important a stick of chewing gum can be.
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne
Part of the celebration was the awarding of the Certified Welcoming Designation to Cuyahoga County by Welcoming America. Sophia Hernandez from Welcoming America came in from Denver to Cleveland to help open the new Welcoming Center and give Cuyahoga County the designation.
Sophia Hernandez from Welcoming America
Chris Ronayne, Sophia Hernandez and other leaders with the Proclamation
County Executive Chris Ronayne called up others for the ribbon cutting.
The room was packed with civic and organization leaders such as those pictured below, including Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin. The large attendance demonstrated the commitment of the County and City to this new Welcoming Center.
Pastor Max Rodas, Councilwoman Jasmine Santana, Thomas Kate and Councilwoman Meredith Turner
Bienvenido, Bienvenida and Welcome!
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