Success Stories: "Felicia"

"Felicia," a shy, single mother of four, was working as a volunteer at her children's elementary school in Cleveland's Glenville neighborhood. Although she wanted to complete her college degree and restart a career in health services, the responsibility of taking care of her young children led her to put those plans on hold. The time that she spent at her children's school clearly indicated that Felicia wanted to help her family and her community. She had a desire to lead, but she had neither the skills nor the confidence to do so.

Felicia was recruited by a graduate of Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland to attend the Parents As Leaders Training Academy (one of the leadership programs that the Neighborhood Leadership Institute inherited as part of its spin-off agreement with the Greater Cleveland Neighborhood Centers Association). Felicia completed the 13-week program, demonstrating her commitment by attending all class sessions and completing all homework and course assignments.

Felicia was one of two graduates of the parent leadership program who was identified as ready to tackle the more rigorous demands of Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland. She applied to the program and was accepted. Though she struggled during the first few weeks of the program, she persisted. As a result, Felicia developed supportive relationships with several of her classmates, learned how to navigate public bureaucracies, and improved her public speaking skills dramatically.

Not only did Felicia graduate from Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland, she also graduated to positions of leadership in the community. She now serves as president of the School-Parent Organization (SPO) at her children's elementary school. In that capacity she has improved the attendance of parents at meetings and activities. For the Fathers Program at the school, Felicia invited one of her classmates from Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland to be the guest speaker. In addition to the SPO presidency, Felicia holds one of three parent representative positions on the Family and Children First Council of Cuyahoga County.

As if that were not enough, Felicia has married and recommitted herself to her career in health services. She has returned to college and is currently taking classes toward her degree.

Felicia's story illustrates what can happen when neighborhood residents are given the opportunity to develop their leadership skills in a supportive environment among other neighborhood leaders. Through their experiences in Neighborhood Leadership Cleveland and their participation in a network of grassroots leaders, residents of Greater Cleveland’s neighborhoods learn how to serve as advocates for their families and communities; how to collaborate with others to accomplish goals; how to make public presentations; how to work with government agencies and social service providers; and how to find and utilize resources.