FutureHeights annual fund provides support for community news in the Heights Observer

Happy Holidays! We’ve accomplished a lot in 2009 and we couldn’t have done it without you. Community support helped us achieve amazing growth. A year-end gift to the annual fund of any amount will be a tremendous help—allowing us to stay the course in 2010.

Here are a couple of great illustrations of just how your investment in FutureHeights empowers the community to tell their stories, get active and stay involved.

Heights business owners Dawn and Alex Quintana have found the Heights community spirit and FutureHeights shop local programs support their independent business in a tough economy.

 “When we relocated our business to Cleveland Heights we learned about FutureHeights and its fierce focus on supporting local merchants and educating the public on “buying local.” We believe the reason we are sustaining our business in a down economy is due to being part of a community that values us as a local business. FutureHeights programs, such as the Heights Observer, online auction and the Best of the Heights Awards, help build awareness and keep our business strong.”

Dawn and Alex Quintana, owners of Quintana’s Barber and Dream Spa

University Heights resident Phil Robinson picked up a copy of the Heights Observer, read about the city charter issue… and got involved.

 “After moving to University Heights, it was important to my wife, Elizabeth, and I that we stay informed about our city government. I first found out that our city council was considering forming a charter review commission after reading an edition of Future Heights' Heights Observer. I was so fascinated by this article, that I later attended a city council meeting. If it weren’t for reading the Heights Observer, I probably would not have eventually considered running for city council to help move University Heights forward. The Heights Observer is exactly what residents need in order to ensure the stories of communities are told, by those who understand them the best.”

Phil Robinson (Phil came within 55 votes of winning a seat on University Heights City Council this fall)

“We depend on Future Heights to communicate important Library news, along with records of our board meetings, to our citizens in both print and online versions of the Heights Observer. We have also cosponsored public discussions on important issues of the day. An informed citizenry is a keystone of democracy, this is a shared mission the Library and Future Heights.”

Nancy S. Levin, Director of Heights Libraries

"FutureHeights is a small organization that does big things for the betterment of this community. Its programs are creative, successful and rigorous. Its staff and volunteers are wholly committed to its mission and are the epitome of civic engagement. As a small business owner, I am grateful for their tireless advocacy for local, independent businesses, particularly during these tough economic times. We should all take the time to acknowledge their hard work and dedication, whether through a donation, a word of encouragement or as a volunteer."

Lisa Dunn, owner of Revive

The Heights Observer, with over 9,000 issues published every month and an active online presence, has become a vital community resource. 

It gets the word out about the cities of Cleveland Heights and University Heights, the CH-UH schools, the CH-UH Public Library, the Home Repair Resource Center, John Carroll University, the Heights Youth Center, Heights Arts, the League of Women Voters, neighborhood groups, citizen efforts, and a host of others who have become our partners in strengthening community.

But that’s not all we do. In 2009 FutureHeights co-hosted a forum on intergovernmental cooperation, a candidates night, and Cleveland Heights Mayor’s State of the City address; conducted newspaper writing workshops for over 100 residents; hosted the 5th Annual Best of the Heights Awards; organized the first annual Shop Around the Heights event; sponsored neighborhood tours; and oversaw the work of nearly 400 community volunteers.

Support of the local economy.

Access to information.

Community partnerships. 

Citizen participation.

This is what FutureHeights is all about.

You have been instumental is creating our success. And, as our success grows, our need for community support grows. We hope you’ll consider a tax-deductible, end-of-the-year gift to help us continue our good work.

Donate online by clicking the Donate Now button at www.futureheights.org or www.heightsobserver.org. Or call 216-320-1423 with your credit card today. Thank you!

On behalf of the FutureHeights board of directors, staff, volunteers, we wish you a happy, and healthy, holiday season.

Deanna Bremer Fisher             Gina Cheverine

Executive Director                   President