Standing Together Against Neighborhood Crime Every Day

Since 2006, the Partnership has managed STANCE, which aims to reduce violent crime and the calls made for police services by implementing an evidence-based approach to solving the problem. Linking law enforcement, outreach workers, prevention services, and reentry policies and programs into a logical sequence of actions, the STANCE program has proven to be effective, with data demonstrating sustained reductions in crime and violence in three of Cleveland’s highest crime neighborhoods over a three-year period; at the same time, crime remained high or increased in non-STANCE neighborhoods.

The Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance, a network of outreach organizations developed by TCF, includes: Amer-I-Can, Boys & Girls Clubs, City of Cleveland Community Relations Board, Community Reentry, Guardian Angels, Most Valuable Purpose, No Return, and Peace in the Hood.

Program Assessments

Through coordinated efforts, the Partnership will monitor, analyze and refine if necessary each element of the STANCE strategy that has been proven effective over the years.

The Partnership is partnering with federal, state and local government, community and grass roots organizations to leverage resources to assist in fighting both the cause and effects of crime and violence.

STANCE Components:

Education and Awareness Campaign

This includes a marketing effort with Adcom that targets everyone in the community and an online presence through Cleveland STANCE. 

Outreach and Mentoring

The Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance, a network of outreach organizations developed by TCF, includes: Amer-I-Can, Boys & Girls Clubs, City of Cleveland Community Relations Board, Community Reentry, Guardian Angels, Most Valuable Purpose, No Return, and Peace in the Hood. The purpose is to ensure the availability of a crisis response throughout the City of Cleveland and provide an outreach/mentoring component. The Alliance has professionalized outreach with universal training, a code of ethics and a common pay scale. TCF has funded Amer-I-Can, Boys and Girls Clubs, Community Reentry and Peace in the Hood.

Safety in School

Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) is the one organization having access to the largest number of Cleveland youth. CMSD partners with STANCE and MyCom through the Department of Safety & Security, the Office of Safe & Drug Free Schools, and individual schools across the city. 

Community Safety

Operation Focus is a prevention strategy of the City of Cleveland that combines a law enforcement message to high-risk youth with an opportunity for those youth and families to gain access to available opportunities, outreach workers and services and supports.  This strategy is funded by TCF, City of Cleveland, Third Federal and Cuyahoga County.

Domestic Violence

Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority is a partner in a pilot project testing the feasibility of police making referrals to an independent social service provider when encountering incidents of domestic violence. 

Employment

Slavic Village Development Corporation is the sponsor of Project Reform and Refurbish, a construction training program for high-risk young men from the Slavic Village area that has developed into a pilot project of the Partnership, funded by The Steffee Family Fund and MyCom.  Project Reform and Refurbish emphasizes educational development and links these young men with mentors, develops their thinking skills and provides them with a small stipend.

Opportunities, Services and Supports

MyCom focuses on prevention strategies (including youth engagement, out of school time, youth employment and youth transitions) universally and in the eight MyCom neighborhoods, which include the three STANCE neighborhoods of Slavic Village, Central, and St. Clair Superior.Â