Central Neighborhood

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland is committed to a more in-depth approach to reducing disparities in health and education in the Central Neighborhood near downtown Cleveland. Residents of this community, like so many in our region, experience poor outcomes in education and health which make it much harder for residents to move out of poverty.

The Foundation selected the Central neighborhood because of the commitment of St. Vincent Charity Hospital in providing health care and outreach in this community for more than 140 years. On this smaller geographic scale – Central is home to about 12,000 adults and children – we hope to cultivate a collaborative effort, and pilot some innovative strategies, to address gaps in health and education.

In 2008, the Foundation will seek community input from stakeholders in the Central neighborhood on where to center its attention and support for reducing health and education disparities.  The initial round of funding aimed at reducing health and educational disparities in Cleveland’s Central Neighborhood was made in July 2008.

More on Cleveland’s Central Neighborhood

Central has been home to Hungarian, Italian and Jewish immigrants, as well as African Americans who moved from the South to take advantage of the city’s employment opportunities. Today, more than 90% of the community is African American. Forty percent of the population is under the age of 17 – 62% is under the age of 29. About 10% of Central residents are 65 or older.

Factsheet: Regional Comparisons

Ward 5 Social, Economic, Housing, & Health Conditions

Center for Community Solutions Neighborhood Profile: “Central: Heart of the City”

Ward 5 Cuyahoga Family Health Survey, 2001

Ward 5 Social Indicators

Ward 5 Health & Human Services