Building Hope in the City

10/06/2026

Looking for ways to bless others this Christmas season? 🎄🎁

Through your generosity, parents nurturing children within BHITC enrichment initiatives will be able to shop for brand-new presents at a fraction of their regular price at our special store at Bridge City Church.

You can make a difference in urban ministry this holiday season by:
-Donating new toys
-Making a tax-deductible financial donation
-Organizing a toy drive
-Volunteering to help set up or work at the store

We're so excited for the Christmas Store Experience this year, and we'd love for you to be a part of it. Sign up to volunteer or donate at the link below! ✨

https://www.buildinghopeinthecity.org/events-list/christmas-store-2026

10/05/2026

We recently gathered to celebrate this year's Rally CLE with delicious food, time for reflection, and the presentation of recognition scrolls. Volunteers and resident leaders shared what Rally taught them about themselves and what surprised them most, reminders that Rally is a one day event that's part of a much bigger picture.

Thank you to Jasmin Santana, Cleveland City Councilwoman Ward 14 and her office for the recognition scrolls on behalf of the City of Cleveland City Council, and to West 58th St Church Of God for hosting us!

None of this year's Rally would have been possible without so many hands. Thank you to every church partner, volunteer, resident leader, and sponsor who showed up to support and serve all across the city. A special thank you to City Life Center: Greater Cleveland Youth For Christ, who partnered with us by purchasing food and opening up their tools, space, and bike track for the kids' bike build, and to Open Threads/Esperanza Threads, who donated the fabric Nebeska Aviles used for her installation, along with Emily Metzer of Restorative, who partnered on the Tiny Art Gallery. Also, a BIG thank you to CFNA and MetroHealth for their generous support in making Rally CLE happen, and to the Community Development team for coordinating and leading such a wonderful day!

We're grateful for everyone who said yes to this vision. Thank you to everyone who played a part, echoing the promise of Isaiah 58:12, repairers of broken walls and restorers of streets.

10/01/2026

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Leaders from across our city gathered at Cove City Church - Cleveland for Level Up Your Leadership, and it was a morning of learning from one another, sharing openly, and building each other up.

A BIG thank you to Dr. Ron Morrison, founder and pastor of Hope Alliance Bible Church, for sharing his story and for leading us into a space of vulnerability, honesty, and encouragement. Leaders opened up about the victories and the hard seasons, and we were reminded that the faith that sustains us is often built in the middle of both.

Thank you also to Cove City Church for being such gracious hosts, and to every leader who showed up and poured into the room.

09/30/2026

Looking for a way to celebrate and serve this Thanksgiving? Join us in creating spaces of welcome, connection and community with our neighbors across Building Hope! 🦃

There are two ways you can volunteer:

Thanksgiving at The Hope Center
Wednesday, November 18 & Thursday, November 19, 11:15 AM to 2:45 PM

Share a Thanksgiving meal with our immigrant and refugee students after their class session. Help prepare and serve the meal, welcome guests and celebrate alongside students around the table. For many, Thanksgiving is a new tradition, and your presence helps make it a meaningful experience of friendship, hospitality and belonging.

FamilyGiving with Community Development at West 58th St Church Of God
Thursday, November 12, 5-7 PM

Gather with Clark-Fulton & Stockyards families and neighbors for an evening of food, gratitude and connection. Welcome guests, support kids' activities and help with clean up.

Sign up to serve: ➡️ https://www.buildinghopeinthecity.org/events-list/thanksgiving-2026

09/25/2026

One World Kitchen brought Clevelanders together Last Friday for an evening of Afghan food, culture, and community at The Hope Center. Guests gathered around the table to enjoy a meal prepared by talented immigrant chefs, featuring traditional Afghan dishes.

A special highlight was Khalida, one of our guest chefs, who captivated the room with a beautiful traditional Afghan song. It was a joyful night of sharing, listening, and connecting around the table, celebrating the people who make our city so vibrant!

09/24/2026

If you're wondering what it looks like to navigate immigration and displacement through the lens of Scripture, join us for the 3rd Annual Faith + Immigration Event: Called by Name: Belonging, Exile, and the God Who Sees.

Matthew Soerens, Vice President of Advocacy and Policy at World Relief and a nationally recognized voice on faith and immigration, will be sharing biblical insight, practical wisdom, and encouragement for churches and individuals seeking faithful engagement, along with a panel of local leaders.

Join us October 24, 10AM - 12PM at The Hope Center, hosted together with World Relief, as we explore God's heart for immigrants, refugees, and those experiencing displacement - and what it looks like to tangibly live that out.

This is FREE event, but registration is required.

https://www.buildinghopeinthecity.org/events-list/faith-immigration-called-by-name

09/23/2026

Thanks to our friends at Cleveland Roots and Cuyahoga Valley Church - Broadview Heights Campus for helping turn part of this garden into a comfy spot for kids, families, and community members to hang out. 📚

Take a listen as Doug from Cleveland Roots shares more about the project, what it means for our neighbors, and how Rally CLE helped bring it to life!

09/22/2026

One World Kitchen is back with Meals-To-Go! 🌎 🍽️

Ordering is now open for meals throughout October.

The amazing chefs have been busy preparing a new menu filled with the flavors, recipes, and food traditions they’re excited to share with you.

First up: Chicken Shawarma Bowls on October 1! Each meal serves two, so grab one to share with a friend, neighbor, or loved one.

Every purchase supports One World Kitchen’s mission to empower talented chefs and create opportunities for immigrants and refugees to share their culture and cuisine.

PURCHASE MEALS HERE: ➡️ https://www.oneworldkitchencle.com/meals-to-go

09/18/2026

Refuge Garden is now a classroom! 🪴

What an amazing job by our friends and ministry partners at Royal Redeemer, who served as Site Coordinator for this project led by Resident Leader Amanda Roberts, Nutrition Director at The Garden Christian Academy. Thank you for all your hard work, vision, and heart for students and our community.

This is Royal Redeemer's 4th year partnering with Refuge Garden through Rally CLE, so they've gotten to see the garden come to life over the years, providing volunteers and funding for the project.

Thanks to everyone who showed up to serve, and we look forward to seeing how God will use this space to grow students and strengthen our neighborhood.

09/16/2026

"We call this a home center. It's like a home for immigrants and refugees." - Hanan Essabar, One World Kitchen Manager

Spectrum Noticias NYC recently did a wonderful feature on Hanan and her journey from Morocco to Cleveland, and how she found her way back into the kitchen through the Hope Center. Today, she leads the One World Kitchen program, blending her Moroccan roots with new culinary techniques and building a career doing what she loves!

Give the full story a watch/read, link below. 👇

A huge thank you to KeyBank for funding this workforce and emerging business program and making stories like this possible.

The Hope Center is an immigrant welcome center that offers services such as a culinary program to help immigrants get jobs.