Three Years of Say Yes Cleveland

In January 2019, Say Yes Cleveland was launched as the fourth community-wide organization based on the Say Yes to Education model of tuition scholarships and support services for Cleveland students. With its 25-year commitment, Say Yes Cleveland was seen as a complete game-changer and ushered in the next era of public-school education where all kids have the opportunity to succeed through post-secondary education.\r\n\r\nWhen Say Yes Cleveland first launched, the City Club heard from local leadership on how Cleveland plans to leverage the scholarship program and expand support services. But nobody could have predicted what was to come. Cleveland schools, students, and parents have now weathered three school years touched by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increase in capacity for support services has never been more critical.\r\n\r\nHow has Say Yes Cleveland been able to step up to serve CMSD scholars in this most urgent time of need? What else needs to be done to ensure more students succeed? And what are the strategies Say Yes Cleveland will employ to combat some of the more pressing challenges exacerbated by the pandemic?\r\n\r\nJoin the City Club in-person as we hear the latest updates from Diane Downing, Executive Director of Say Yes Cleveland. Her remarks will be followed by a panel conversation including Lekisha Rogers, Say Yes Cleveland Family Support Specialist at CMSD's Joseph M. Gallagher K-8 School; and Leean Andino, 2019 graduate of CMSD's New Tech West High School, and the first student to earn a bachelor's degree with a Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship.