Vital Spaces Training Scholarships

The Vital Neighborhoods Working Group held the Cleveland Spaces Vital Places project, which was designed to help residents turn vacant land into vibrant community spaces, such as pocket parks, community gardens, and playgrounds. In 2019 and 2020 we held a workshop series that taught residents how to acquire land, fund-raise, design, and get community support for their greenspace projects. Over the 2 years, we had 134 participants attend the workshops.

The Neighborhood Greespace Development Program is a Vital Spaces Training Workshop Series. This programs is a continuation of the Cleveland Spaces, Vital Places workshops. The new Vital spaces Training builds on the initial work and takes the initiative to the next level of residential project development. This program is a series of ten (10) hands-on, interactive, skill development focused training specifically for residents that have formerly engaged and initiated interest in developing Cleveland green spaces.  The program will culminate with an event showcase to demonstrate and present the benefits to the participants hereafter referred to as resident project leaders (RPLs).

These are the Workshops:

Workshop 1 - SMARTS - Clearly defining and communicating project goals and what success looks like.

Workshop 2 - What you Got, What you Need: Resource and Needs Assessments

Workshop 3 - Strategic Roadmap; Write your vision make it Plain

Workshop 4 - Land, Soil and Plants Forum

Workshop 5 - Budget THIS; How much does it cost and is it sustainable?

Workshop 6 - Land Sovereignty Roundtable

Workshop 7 - Structure and Operational Planning; How is the team organized? What processes make your project work?

Workshop 8 - Project Summary Proposal Writing

Workshop 9 - Action Planning; Step by Step

Workshop 10 - Presentation; Tell Your Story

Vital Spaces Resident Project Leaders Showcase Event

We have met numerous times to get to this point. We are in the process of securing a centralized location for the training session to take place. Our initial Program Interest Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 13, 2022 at the Fairhill Center from 6-7:30 PM.  Registration is required. 

The training sessions will run between early March through late May, 2022.

We want to encourage resident-led engagement where community members hold a stake in their communities by providing them the tools to invigorate their neighborhoods with their vision for how they can improve the communities in which they live, work and play. We know that neighborhoods with vibrant greenspace is more attractive, is safer and can provides a sense of stability.