The Friendly Inn, established in 1874, is the oldest settlement house in the country. This year marks the 150-year anniversary since the opening of the Inn, which has a rich history of service in the Central neighborhood and greater Cleveland area.
Yolanda Armstrong, president and CEO of the Friendly Inn, lived in Central as a little girl. She shares the importance of knowing the history of the Inn and the leadership that came before her.
Knowing your history
“I often think about how the organization started. It was to serve immigrants who had moved into the Central area. They could find family members they had been separated from, find community resources, receive assistance entering the job force and get to know each other,” Armstrong said.
“When I think about that and where we are today, I also think about the leaders who came before me and how they have laid out the important steps it takes to serve people of color.”
By 1925, a third of Central residents were African Americans. Things began to change in Central in 1933, when the Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority, now known as the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, (CMHA) was established. Federally subsidized high-rise apartments were constructed. In 1945 there was a push to support returning veterans, war workers and their families with public housing. As a result, the population continued to shift, leading to the Friendly Inn becoming the first integrated non-profit settlement house.
“We began to see those people who were there move out of the area and more people of color move into the area,” said Armstrong. “Then we look at the ’60s and all that occurred during that time that affected programming for non-profits like the Friendly Inn. There was a big shift there.”
A full-circle moment for the Friendly Inn
Today, the Friendly Inn serves as an inclusive place of service for families, youth and seniors from all walks of life. Current programming includes youth camps, resource fairs, mental health services, HBCU college tours, ward meetings, a food bank and more.
Robert Huff, 62, grew up in the Central neighborhood. He began to attend the Friendly Inn at six years old.
“My mother had five boys that she raised by herself. Me and my brothers would go to the Friendly Inn after school, we would sharpen our reading and math skills, they had a cooking program we would participate in and in the summer we would go to camp there,” Huff said.
Huff is now employed at the Inn, where he assists with building maintenance, serves lunches to children after school and helps to keep the Inn organized. He appreciates the longevity of the Inn and hopes to see it continue to grow and prosper.
“When I was a kid, it was tough for the Inn to get funds for the kids in the inner city there. I wouldn’t be who I am now without the Friendly Inn,” Huff said.
“The Inn raised me as a man coming up as a kid. I try to get the younger kids I see now to go there so they can see there is a place in the community that cares about them.”
Cheers to the next 150 years
Rhonda Crowder, vice president of the Friendly Inn Executive Board, reflected on the magnitude of the 150 years.
“I had family that grew up in Central and went to the Friendly Inn. I think about all the people the Friendly Inn has served in 150 years, that’s a lot of people,” Crowder said. “Just to know this organization has survived, when so many other settlement houses that were in the Cleveland area are no longer with us. It’s a testament to the work that the leaders have done over the years.”
Robert Bankston, president of the Friendly Inn Executive Board, shares the sentiments of Crowder. He appreciates the consistency of the Inn in its service to the community while navigating the difficult challenges over time.
“We’ve had our challenges, but being able to pass the baton from decade to decade without dropping it is key,” Bankston said. “When you are navigating that and slow down and realize all the families, students and seniors who have been a part of passing that baton through the years, it’s very exciting.”
The next steps
This year, the Inn is dealing with a decrease in funding. Some COVID-19 American Rescue Plan assistance expired as well as some grant money.
“Our goal is to continue to fundraise and educate our partners and the community on the fact that it takes funding to grow,” Bankston said. “Last year in December we began our 150th anniversary kick off. Every month this past year, we gave out scholarships, we organized family community events, we delivered hot meals to seniors.”
“It takes funding for organizations like this so that we can continue the good work,” Armstrong said.
Ultimately, Armstrong and the board members want the community to come together to support the work. They are actively looking for new board members to join the team.
“We are looking to expand our senior programming, expanding our programming for young people. So many things we are looking to grow,” Armstrong said.
“It’s gonna take a collective effort to move our organization to the next 150 years.”
Support the Friendly Inn
To celebrate 150 years of service, the Friendly Inn will host a gala at the Shoreby Club on Friday, Oct. 4. Community partners, stakeholders, honorary chairs and young people who have contributed to the success of the Friendly Inn will be honored during an awards ceremony.
The gala will also serve as a fundraiser for the Inn. The organization is looking to raise $1 million dollars. To purchase tickets to the Oct. 4 gala, click here. Unable to attend the gala? Make a donation or sign up as a volunteer.
To donate directly to the Friendly Inn, click here.
To volunteer, call 216-431-7656 or email [email protected].
The Friendly Inn is currently looking for five more sponsors for the gala. To view the different sponsorship packages, click here.
