Thu 3/13 @ 4:30 – 7pm
By Kendall Embrescia
Cogswell Hall is a beautiful handcrafted home built in 1913 as a family-like home for “friendless girls” by Mrs. Helen Cogswell. It was dedicated in March of 1914 as a home for 27 at-risk girls. Helen Cogswell led this “Open Door” mission with the goal of training young girls released from the Cleveland Workhouse and assisting them to become productive citizens. Since its inception, Cogswell Hall has historically served females – orphans, youth, working, seniors and those living with disabilities.
For the past 100 years Cogswell Hall has been an anchor institution in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood. They have changed their housing focus based upon societal needs throughout the decades and is a tremendous asset to the community.
“Where would a victim of domestic violence go in the 1940s when there was no shelters? What about a safe place for a single woman with two children when landlords wouldn’t house her in the 1950s? Or how about an extremely poor elderly woman when there was no subsidized housing or assisted living in the 1980s? They would come here, to Cogswell Hall,” says Executive Director Diana Cyganovich.
“Today we continue to catch people who fall through the cracks, because for one reason or another they don’t qualify for low-income housing and have nowhere to go. We’re open to a broad range of at-risk adults that have either been homeless or have some kind of disability,” says Diana.
Cogswell Hall is the only permanent, affordable, supportive housing program in Cleveland that is open to all low-income individuals faced with a number of different challenges. In addition to housing, Cogswell Hall also provides social services, community building and advocates for disabled and economically disadvantaged citizens.
On Thu 3/13 from 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM, you’re invited to meet the wonderful staff and learn about Cogswell Hall (7200 Franklin Blvd. Cleveland, OH 44102) for yourself at their 100-year open house celebration! There will be cake, conversation, light appetizers and a wonderful experience to learn something new.
“We’re definitely celebrating that 100 years ago this beautiful building opened its doors. But what’s really being celebrated is all the lives we’ve touched and all the people we’ve helped throughout the last century. What we’re really celebrating is the people,” beams Diana.
Stop by, see for yourself and get involved in the next 100 years, because Cogswell Hall intends to be here helping those most in need of quality affordable housing well into 22nd century.
If you’ll be joining the celebration, please RSVP to Cindy at cmeade@cogswellhall.org or 216.961.1568 ext. 311.
Cleveland, OH 44102