HISTORY
Who We Are Word of Righteousness Family Life Center is a faith-based non-profit organization in Garfield Heights, Ohio. It is a 501(c)(3) public charity exempt from taxes by the Internal Revenue Service. In 2005, the ministry was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the State of Ohio. From the outset, the ministry was charged with meeting both the natural and spiritual needs of the community. Word of Righteousness Family Life Center was formed in part “to serve the needs of the hungry, thirsty, homeless, naked, sick and imprisoned”. These charitable purposes continue under Word of Righteousness ‘Family Life Center’, while the religious purposes now function under Word of Righteousness ‘Church’. Word of Righteousness Family Life Center exists to provide quality support services to enrich the lives of families throughout Northeast Ohio. The Family Life Center aims to become a purposeful, effective, efficient and lasting partner in the effort to maximize healthy development, learning, achievement and happiness for individuals, children and families throughout the community. WORFLC serves as the lead agency of the Southeast Area Collaborative, which includes Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, Valley View, Walton Hills and Oakwood Village for Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services Family to Family System of Care. Their charitable work has served these communities and others including the southeast part of Cleveland, Bedford, Warrensville Heights and Independence. Their service highlights include: * assisting 722 families in need of utilities assistance
* distributing more than 50,000 pounds of food, diapers, formula and household products
* serving more than 1,300 households and 3,700 individuals in need with enough food for 3 to 5 days
* providing more than 42,300 meals through its client choice food pantry
* distributing hundreds of coats and clothing items, as well as hundreds of toys, to families
* offering hundreds of individuals with supportive services, including life skills and group support
* connecting countless other families to valuable resources and linkages within the community Equally important, to expand its ability to meet the Garfield Heights residents’ needs, Word of Righteousness Family Life Center established numerous partnerships with city and county governments, as well as businesses, schools, service providers and other non-profit organizations. It is a member of the Cuyahoga Tapestry System of Care Provider Services Network, and is under contract to provide after-school programs, tutoring, job training and placement, computer training, parenting skills training, household management assistance, and emergency support and sustenance to families in the county upon referral. The Family Life Center participates in the Garfield Heights Alternative Juvenile Program to provide service opportunities for youth in lieu of other court-imposed discipline, and regularly collaborates with Garfield Heights Family to Family System of Care to provide supportive services to families in the city. (Additional partnerships are listed on the Partners page). Word of Righteousness Family Life Center's primary objectives are as follows: - To offer health and human services in an effort to combat poverty, hunger, nakedness, homelessness, physical or mental illness, and incarceration in the community through a family life center that provides the resources to overcome obstacles and the support to restore dignity and hope. - To advance education in an effort to engage youth in activities that strengthen their intellectual and creative interests and curtail unsupervised activities in at-risk youth through an enrichment center that support parents by offering meaningful opportunities and quality care for their children in their absence. - To promote economic development in an effort to improve the well-being and quality of life of the community and increase opportunity and earning potential for its’ members through an achievement center that offers training to acquire life skills, job skills and computer skills. - To provide fun and enjoyable activities for children, teens, seniors and other individuals through a recreation center that will recreate a sense of community with social gatherings, sports leagues, and special events.
The Family Life Center serves hundreds of people each month from its newly acquired facility, formerly known as Garfield Heights Community Center, regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation (or lack thereof), age, disability or any other characteristic that is protected by law. With the support of Word of Righteousness Church, its partners, and compassionate members of the community, Word of Righteousness Family Life Center is making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families in need.
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