In the heart of Cleveland, within the bustling halls of Lincoln West High School, a quiet revolution is taking place. Behind the scenes, a team of dedicated professionals, often overlooked, are working tirelessly to support students and families facing a myriad of challenges.

Meet Nora and Jamessa, two Family Support Specialists. Their roles extend far beyond traditional education, encompassing mental health counseling, housing assistance, food security support, and even navigating the complexities of the political climate.

“We’re here to help. We’re not intimidating or judgmental or, you know, at least we try not to be. We’re here to help,” emphasized Jamessa, her voice reflecting the compassion that fuels their work. Building trust is paramount. Many families have experienced trauma, and some are wary of engaging with service providers due to past experiences or concerns about immigration status.

The pandemic threw their work into disarray. “There was a lot of trauma,” shared Nora. “Some of these kids were left to fend for themselves and their siblings. There was a lot that was going on. Nobody could really keep tabs on because these kids were not in the school setting on a day-to-day basis.” The sudden shift to remote learning exacerbated existing inequalities, leaving many students and families struggling to cope with isolation, food insecurity, and mental health crises.

The current political climate adds another layer of complexity. “We see a lot of, ‘if we don’t tell you what the problem is, you won’t know that there’s a problem so that we can stay under the radar type situation,'” explained Nora. “They will deny that there’s anything going on because they don’t want you digging deeper and looking further.” This fear stems from concerns about potential repercussions for undocumented families, a reality that deeply impacts the work of these support specialists.

Despite the challenges, Nora and Jamessa find moments of joy in their work. “I think my most impactful to date was getting the Rape Crisis Center into the school,” shared Nora. “They did a three-week, one-day-a-week program for my entire school where they discussed boundaries and appropriate relationships and consent.”

The work of Nora and Jamessa highlights the critical role that school-based support specialists play in the lives of students and families. They are unsung heroes, navigating complex social and emotional landscapes to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive. As we move forward, it is crucial to recognize and support the invaluable work of these dedicated professionals.

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Christopher Rodriguez, a name synonymous with success within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), is living proof that the seeds of inspiration can be sown within the very classrooms where they germinate. A former Say Yes Cleveland scholar and now a dedicated math teacher at his alma mater, John Marshall High School, Rodriguez embodies the power of perseverance and the importance of community support.

Rodriguez’s journey began as a typical student, unsure of his future. However, a pivotal encounter with his high school math teacher, Ms. Sien Van, ignited a passion for education. “I would always be the one who…understood what was going on in the classroom,” he recalls. “And so I took that opportunity to help my classmates…to share my knowledge with students.” This experience, coupled with a successful internship under Ms. Van’s guidance, solidified his decision to pursue a career in education.

Then came the unexpected: the Say Yes Cleveland announcement of free college tuition. “I’m like, ‘What?’ I don’t believe it until I actually see it, right?” Rodriguez recalls. For a first-generation college student like himself, this was a game-changer. “College was never an option for me because I would have never been able to afford that,” he admits.

The road to college, however, was far from smooth. The pandemic disrupted his senior year, leaving him feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. “I didn’t have anybody to contact. You know, we were all at home, right? And so I was overwhelmed with, you know, who do I contact? What resources do I have?” he recalls. Fortunately, College Now, a partner of Say Yes Cleveland, stepped in, providing crucial guidance and support. “She helped me apply for scholarships, make sure that I was good and secure with Say Yes… She guided me through that whole entire process. It wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for Say Yes in college now giving me those resources to help me navigate through such a really difficult time during 2020 and the pandemic.”

Rodriguez’s journey back to John Marshall as a teacher has been deeply fulfilling. “Some people recognize me when I was like a student, right?” he shares. “I was still connected with CMSD, with John Marshall, even during my college years.” He emphasizes the importance of community support and the resources available to students today, such as the on-campus College Now office. “Who doesn’t want an opportunity, a once in a lifetime opportunity to better themselves, to get a college degree and potentially come back and help their community and become a leader, right?” he asks.

For aspiring students, Rodriguez offers this crucial advice: “Use your resources and network. Because without any of that, without the skills of networking, without the skills of communicating and reaching out to people who are very knowledgeable about things, I don’t know if I would have made it here.” He highlights the importance of mentors, emphasizing the profound impact of his own mentor. “Building strong relationships with mentors can significantly impact your journey and provide guidance when you need it most.”

Christopher Rodriguez’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of community support like Say Yes Cleveland, and the transformative impact of education. As he continues to inspire the next generation of students at John Marshall, his journey serves as a powerful reminder that with dedication, support, and a belief in oneself, anything is possible.

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In a world where access to higher education can often feel like a privilege rather than a right, the University of Mount Union is stepping up to help level the playing field for Cleveland students chasing their college dreams. 

In an exciting new partnership with Say Yes Cleveland, Mount Union has announced it will provide five full-tuition scholarships each year to eligible first-year undergraduate students from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) and its partnering charter high schools. It’s a move that not only speaks to Mount Union’s commitment to education equity, but also represents a lifeline for families for whom college costs might otherwise feel insurmountable. 

What’s the catch? Just a dream and determination. To be eligible, students must meet three key criteria: 

• Live in the city of Cleveland*; 
• Attend a CMSD or eligible charter school from 9th grade through graduation; and 
• Come from a household with an annual income of $75,000 or less. 

These five scholarships from the University of Mount Union cover the full cost of tuition and technology fees for up to eight semesters—a powerful promise of stability in a time when the rising cost of college often pushes students to take on crushing debt. As a Say Yes Compact partner, eligible students interested in attending the University of Mount Union whose household income exceeds $75,000 will be eligible for a Say Yes scholarship of up-to $5,000 for tuition. 

“We are grateful for the partnership with the University of Mount Union through the tuition scholarships for Say Yes students. Mount Union’s commitment to Cleveland students helps break down the financial barriers they face and invests in the future of our community,” adds Ann Mullin, chair of the Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship Board. 

Say Yes’s partnership with the University of Mount Union is more than just dollars and cents. It’s about rewriting the story for Cleveland students—particularly those from low-income households—who might not have otherwise seen college as a realistic option. Say Yes Cleveland continues to expand its network of higher education partners, building a broader safety net for students determined to succeed despite financial odds. In a time when headlines often focus on what’s broken in education, Mount Union and Say Yes Cleveland are offering a different kind of story—one where students are seen, supported, and told, “Yes, you can.” 

For students interested in this new partnership with the University of Mount Union, the application process is refreshingly straightforward. Students simply need to: 

• Apply and be admitted to Mount Union; 
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); and 
• Have their eligibility verified through the Say Yes Cleveland scholarship portal. 

Learn more about scholarship opportunities at the University of Mount Union here. For more on Say Yes Cleveland and to explore how to apply for the Say Yes Cleveland scholarship, visit sayyescleveland.org. 

(*Aside from the City of Cleveland, eligible residency includes areas within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District boundaries, which include Bratenahl, Linndale, Newburgh Heights, and parts of Brook Park and Garfield Heights whose property taxes are assigned to CMSD.)

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