CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – Today, Cuyahoga County joined The Centers, local and state elected officials, community stakeholders, and project funders in celebrating a groundbreaking for the beginning of major capitol renovations transforming the current Cleveland Christian Home into the new H.O.P.E. Campus. The campus will provide a central location where the County’s Division of Children and Family Services staff work collaboratively with child-serving nonprofit organizations to provide the highest quality care for at-risk youth, including a safe location where children awaiting placement can be assessed and receive treatment.

“This groundbreaking represents a critical step in our ability to provide a stable, safe, nurturing environment to children who need it most,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “For many of our kids, the H.O.P.E. Campus will be a lifeline, a place where they are seen, cared for, and reminded they are not alone.”

H.O.P.E. stands for Healing, Opportunities, Partnership, and Empowerment and is more than just a name; it is a powerful symbol of what the campus strives to instill in every child and family it will touch. H.O.P.E. Campus service partner agencies include the Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County, Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, Family and Children First Council, and the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

“The H.O.P.E. Campus is a promise—to our children, our partners, and our community,” said Eric Morse, President and CEO of The Centers. “It reflects the best of what we can do when we come together with a shared mission. Together with Cuyahoga County and our nonprofit partners, we are building a place where healing begins, opportunities grow, partnerships thrive, and empowerment takes root for every young person who walks through these doors.”

The H.O.P.E. Campus is part of a comprehensive effort to address a lack of suitable placement and treatment options for youth who need intense care for medical, mental health, behavioral health, and/or trauma-related issues. Through the development of the H.O.P.E. Campus, the County aims to provide these children with the care they need in a setting that prioritizes health and safety.

“Today we begin building more than just walls and beds, but treatment and hope for families across our County,” said Jacqueline Fletcher, Director of the County’s Division of Children and Family Services. “The H.O.P.E. Campus will create a new front door, so youth and families have a safe, secure option to be assessed, get services to be reunited, and if needed to receive treatment. Ultimately, we want to know that when a family is in crisis, we have the resources to help our young people get back on track and return to their family and our community with resilience and ready to thrive.”

“This day is personal to everyone here,” said Dawnya Underwood, Executive Director of the H.O.P.E. Campus. “The H.O.P.E. Campus is not just a place, it’s a promise. A promise that every child will be met with healing, opportunity, partnership, and empowerment the moment they walk through our doors.”

Once fully developed, the H.O.P.E. Campus will provide residential treatment and other support for youth and families. The objective is to help children return safely to their families or another family-like setting, with the support of Cuyahoga County and partner agencies.

View the photos from today’s event.

View renderings of the new space.

Watch the livestream of the event.