Global Cleveland Opens Its Doors

CLEVELAND, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For centuries, newcomers have been the backbone of Cleveland's economy.  Now, one organization is making it easier for newcomers to connect to open jobs and the community.  Global Cleveland, a civic economic development initiative focused on connecting newcomers to opportunities and the region, has opened its Welcome Hub in the heart of downtown Cleveland.  The Welcome Hub, which will serve as the first stop for all newcomers, is appropriately located on Public Square, in the Huntington Bank Building at 200 Public Square, Suite 150. 

The space will serve as the permanent, centralized location for Global Cleveland staff and volunteers.  The Welcome Hub will provide services focused on filling three needs for newcomers: connection to jobs, connection to communities and connection to resources for starting a business.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, Cuyahoga County Executive Edward FitzGerald and dozens of community members celebrated the official opening of the Welcome Hub at an event today.

"Moving to a new city can be a complicated process," said Larry Miller, who was named Global Cleveland's first president in October 2011.  "Our organization will leverage its partners, partner organizations, board of directors and advisory committee to help these newcomers make a personal connection to the open jobs and vibrant communities in our region." 

Newcomers can visit the Welcome Hub and meet face-to-face with Global Cleveland team members and volunteers.  They will have the opportunity to register in the Global Cleveland database, share their resume and speak with experienced human resource volunteers from the Cleveland Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).  One goal for the Welcome Hub is to personally help newcomers tap into the appropriate public or private organizations that are already working to fill jobs and bring talent into the region. 

Beyond help in the job search, the Global Cleveland Welcome Hub will help newcomers connect to communities.  Team members will assist them in finding and making inroads with professional, cultural, lifestyle, religious and special interest organizations.  Studies have shown that connection to communities is a critical step in retaining top talent.

"The value of the Welcome Hub is in making these personal connections," said Baiju Shah, chairman of the board.  "When people get engaged both personally and professionally within our city they form deep roots and activate their networks to bring more people to the region.  The Welcome Hub is an important step in Global Cleveland's mission."

The Welcome Hub will be open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and closed Sunday.

"We are proud to house the Global Cleveland Welcome Hub in our building," said Dan Walsh, president, greater Cleveland region, Huntington National Bank.  "Opening this Hub in the heart of downtown demonstrates our commitment to welcoming newcomers to Cleveland and helping them to develop meaningful connections to our communities."

In May 2011, Global Cleveland brought together civic, business and community leaders for a two-day community summit.  The purpose of the summit was to identify regional needs and determine viable solutions.  One of Global Cleveland's primary focuses is to grow the population in Greater Cleveland and the Northeast Ohio region. 

In October, Global Cleveland and the Ohio Board of Regents launched its first program to help immigrants with healthcare credentials, degrees or certificates from their native countries who are currently unemployed or underemployed in the region receive career support services, network with regional healthcare employers and earn basic life support (BLS) training and certification.  In December, Global Cleveland partnered with the Weatherhead School of Management Career Management Office and TiE Ohio to host a seminar aimed at educating local companies on the steps and benefits of hiring international students.

About Global Cleveland
Global Cleveland is a new civic organization committed to regional economic development by actively attracting newcomers, welcoming and connecting them both economically and socially to the many opportunities throughout Greater Cleveland.  The initiative was launched with generous funding from Huntington Bank, The Cleveland Foundation, Jewish Federation of Cleveland, The Maltz Foundation, Forest City Enterprises and The George Gund Foundation.  For more information visit globalcleveland.org.

SOURCE Global Cleveland