The Cuyahoga Human Services Chamber is excited to announce its Inaugural Steering Committee. This group of leaders was selected from our members to guide the Chamber’s first years of growth, helping shape our priorities, programs, and advocacy to best serve our members.
- Sherri Brandon, Chief Executive Officer, Front Steps Housing and Services, Inc.
- Colleen Cotter, Executive Director, The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
- Maria Foschia, President & CEO, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
- Yvonka Hall, Executive Director, Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition
- Daniel Lettenberger-Klein, Chief Executive Officer, Stella Maris
- Carrie Miller, Executive Director, HFLA of Northeast Ohio
- Jill Rizika, President & CEO, Towards Employment
- Margaret Sanchez, President & CEO, Esperanza, Inc.
As the Center for Community Solutions is incubating the Cuyahoga Human Services Chamber, they retain an unelected seat on the Steering Committee. Emily Campbell will be serving on the committee in this seat.
Highlights from early Chamber work
The Chamber was launched to strengthen, connect, and amplify the human service organizations that are vital to Cuyahoga County’s well-being. In just our first several months, we’ve already made great strides in our goal to create a trusted, member-driven space where nonprofits can convene, learn, and collaborate to strengthen individual organizations and address sector-wide challenges.
Inaugural member dues for the first year are just $100.
Growing our membership
We’re proud to now have nearly 100 member organizations representing a diverse range of missions, sizes, and communities served. This diversity is one of our greatest strengths, giving the Chamber a rich collective voice. Membership is open to human service and community-based nonprofits serving and supporting individuals in Cuyahoga County.
Keeping members informed
The Chamber sends out regular communications with updates on important policy developments and issues affecting the sector, including presidential executive orders, the State Budget, and Federal Budget Reconciliation process and resulting H.R.1.
Building the network
Through events and gatherings, the Chamber has engaged hundreds of people. Trainings have included topics such as organizational resilience, strategic grant seeking, risk assessment and reduction, and nonprofit advocacy. We have gathered in person to hear from County Executive Chris Ronayne and through informal happy hours. These connections are the foundation for building a stronger nonprofit ecosystem.
We are well positioned to grow our impact.
Looking ahead
As the Cuyahoga Human Services Chamber continues to grow, the Steering Committee will help us identify opportunities where working together can make our sector stronger and more sustainable. This includes exploring shared services and similar projects that create efficiencies and build capacity, so member organizations can focus resources on their missions.
While the Cuyahoga Human Services Chamber is just getting started, with the Steering Committee in place and a growing network joining us, we are well positioned to grow our impact. By combining capacity-building resources and serving as a collective advocacy voice for our sector, the Chamber will enhance the sustainability and impact of Cuyahoga County’s human services sector.
Inaugural member dues for the first year are just $100. To learn more, organizations are encouraged to submit a member inquiry form, available on our webpage.
