The Greater Cleveland Neighborhood Centers Association (NCA) was established in 1963 as the first metropolitan-wide organization in the country created to help plan, coordinate and budget the work of neighborhood centers. Many of Cleveland’s neighborhood centers were founded in the late 1800s as settlement houses to assist European and Asian immigrants by providing training and supportive services. This philosophy continues today. Each neighborhood center adapts it services to meet the evolving needs of the individuals and families it serves.
As a management support organization, NCA works collectively with its membership. NCA serves as fiscal agent for publicly-funded Center programs, provides administrative and technical assistance, and coordinates professional development for Centers’ staff.
Membership
Each Member Center and Associate Member is a separate 501(c)(3) organization with its own board of trustees.
NCA Member Centers are:- Alta House
- Early Childhood Enrichment Center
- East Cleveland Neighborhood Center
- East End Neighborhood House
- Friendly Inn Settlement House
- Garden Valley Neighborhood House
- Goodrich-Gannett Neighborhood Center
- Harvard Community Services Center
- Kathryn R. Tyler Neighborhood Center
- Lexington-Bell Community Center
- Merrick House
- Murtis Taylor Human Services System
- Phillis Wheatley Association
- University Settlement
- West Side Community House
- Cleveland Mediation Center
- Cleveland Music School Settlement
- Hiram House
- Karamu House
- Towards Employment
Constituents/service area
NCA Member Centers’ combined geographic service areas represent approximately 600,000 individuals within Cuyahoga County. During 2007, NCA Centers provided services to approximately 80,000 individuals.
Program/services
NCA’s Centers strive to provide comprehensive, family-focused services to meet the changing needs of their constituents. Services may include:
- Day care for newborns through pre-kindergarten
- Early childhood education programs for children ages 3 through 5
- Out-of-school-time programs
- Computer labs for all ages
- Health screenings and related programs
- Extensive programs for seniors
- Delivery of meals for shut-ins
- Congregate meals
- Grocery distribution
- Transportation
- Family support services
- Adult literacy programs
- Fatherhood and parenting programs
- Job and post-correctional re-entry programs
- Socialization/recreation programs
