It's officially fall and I hope this monthly newsletter finds you well 🍂
We are certainly in the fall frenzy here at Collaborate Cleveland. It’s all good things, but, probably like most of you, a constant juggling act—one that is at times more in balance than others. One thing that has been particularly motivating and inspiring to me over the past month is the continued evolution of our Paid Leave work.
On September 12th, we co-hosted the Ohio Paid Leave Policy Academy. The first of its kind, this day-long event brought together over 40 organizations from across the state to learn about the urgent need for Paid Leave, how statewide Paid Leave policies operate, and the strategies and tactics to advance Paid Leave at the state level. All of us in attendance left much more knowledgeable about the issue, hopeful, and fired up for our collective work ahead. Learn moreHERE about the day, the speakers who joined us and resources they shared.
We also recently finalized the report "Unlocking Potential: The Urgent Need for Paid Family & Medical Leave in Ohio." You can download the report here. I hope you will take some time to read through this, learn more, and share. We have hard copies, so, if you are like me and prefer longer pieces in print, send us an email at hello@collabcle.org and we will send one your way.
Be sure to read below to learn more about this month’s changemaker, reminders about important dates for this year’s election, and, of course, some things we are reading.
Diana Rosa, a native of the Glenville community in Cleveland, has a powerful success story influenced by the invaluable support of outstanding nonprofits. Her direct experience with the specific needs, challenges, and strengths of urban communities has fostered a strong dedication and passion for improving the quality of life for residents and empowering the nonprofits that support them to flourish. This personal connection drives her unwavering commitment to making urban communities, specifically Cleveland, a better place for people to call home.
Diana earned her Bachelor of Arts in Health Science from Lake Erie College and her Master’s in Healthcare Administration from the University of Cincinnati. She is a results-driven, community-oriented leader with three decades of experience in nonprofit management. As a strategist committed to fostering positive cultures, Diana has held executive leadership roles at several major non-profits in Northeast Ohio. She is widely recognized for her approach and ability to create productive teams and thriving organizations, with a strong focus on diversity, equity, and cultural humility.
This nonprofit organization provides financial support and will introduce programs designed to empower nonprofits and people to create transformative change within their communities and their lives starting in 2025.
Ivan Rosa had a heart for people and the community, and many testimonies revealed his generosity and passion for helping people in need. He was fascinated by change and collecting coins and used the saved change to help others. His family discovered many change jars hidden throughout their home. He saved over $10,000 in change, which was used as start-up money for the foundation. It demonstrated that saving just a few coins a day can significantly impact the lives of others.
The foundation continues Ivan’s beloved tradition and seeks to fund the foundation through ordinary people who are encouraged to “Be Ivan” by saving change through their annual “Save Your Change to Bring the Change” campaign. You can learn more about how you can get involved by visiting ivanrosafoundation.org or starting a change jar for you or your business to support our communities: Bring the Change Event Info and Change Saving Registration.
Please also plan to attend the annual family fundraising event on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
Reading:
"Surgeon General: Parents Are at Their Wits’ End. We Can Do Better" by Vivek H. Murthy fromThe New York Times: "The stress and mental health challenges faced by parents — just like loneliness, workplace well-being and the impact of social media on youth mental health — aren’t always visible, but they can take a steep toll. It’s time to recognize they constitute a serious public health concern for our country. Parents who feel pushed to the brink deserve more than platitudes. They need tangible support."
"Empowering BIPOC Moms: A Comprehensive Study on the Wellbeing of Michigan's Mothers" by Dr. Keiondra Grace from Mothering Justice: "There is a broad recognition that mamas are an important part of our society. We also often hear mamas say that motherhood is rewarding, yet challenging. If we recognize the importance of mothering, we must understand the challenges mamas face and develop strategies to address them."
"Feminist Philanthropy Can Do More to Save Democracy—Here’s How" by Alfonsina Peñaloza fromMs. Magazine: "Feminist philanthropy is about systematically dismantling power imbalances, not perpetuating them. It involves ensuring that local organizations with deep roots in impacted communities have ongoing, reliable support. It enables those doing the groundwork to apply an intersectional lens, recognizing the layered struggles women face. And critically, it entails fostering collaboration among equals, individuals and organizations."
Cleveland VOTES invites you to its annual event, "The State of Our Democracy." This free event is designed to provide an overview of Cleveland VOTES and the history of the organization, while also highlighting the current programming that is driving the mission and vision forward. Reserve your spot here.
Early in-person and absentee voting begins October 8th. Request an absentee ballot here. Last day to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 28th *Submit your request as far in advance of the election as possible to ensure you receive your absentee ballot before the election.
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