As the City of Cleveland continues to make investments in fighting rising violence, non-profits are playing a major role.  Project LIFT is a prevention and social justice agency that aims to level the playing field for fathers and at-risk youth, with a focus on young Black men. The agency exposes its clients to skills, strategies and disciplined principals to help create a solid foundation for emotional and financial wellness. 

Passion turned into reality 

Project LIFT was founded by LaToya Logan. Her motivation to create the non-profit comes from a very personal place. 

“I was adopted. My parents adopted seven children, five of whom were boys,” Logan said. “My eldest brother was killed here in Cleveland, and after that happened we moved to Detroit, which is where I am originally from.”

The death of her eldest brother caused tremendous pain to her family. Some of that unresolved grief may have led to the rest of her brothers becoming entangled in the criminal justice system. 

“My brothers were coming of age during the super predator theory in the ‘90’s, which said any Black kid doing anything delinquent should be sent away,” Logan said. “We had a dad who was an amazing, engaged father, so it wasn’t a lack of a father figure. I wanted to help my brothers and try to understand why it was so different for them.”

Moving on to a new mission

That drive to understand her brothers led Logan to become a clinical social worker. She returned to Ohio in 2016 – most of her caseload focused on youth and adults in the criminal justice system. While working at the Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility in Massillon, she noticed a void in the young men, most of whom were Black, that needed to be filled. 

“Kids would commit offenses in the facility because they wanted to stay,” Logan said. “They would say to us, ‘You don’t know what we have to go back home to.’ We were the first people to be loving and nurturing to them.”

Logan realized there was a lack of community resources and support for Black men reentering society. 

“I just thought to myself, what can I do so that they don’t want to go back there?” Logan said. “I didn’t intend for it to be Black male focused, but I worked really well with them in the work I was doing. My caseload was always Black males. Clearly, I was understanding something different with them so …that led to Project LIFT.”

Services that meet people where they are

You must be at least 14 years old to receive services. The organization offers everything from parenting classes for fathers to grief recovery, teen life skills and pardon applications. Most services are available no matter where you live. Most services are free, with the exception of mental health care. Medicaid, Medical Mutual, and Cleveland Clinic insurance are accepted. Paying out of pocket is also an option. Project LIFT also works with people who are uninsured. 

Ryan Graham, 22, utilizes services at Project LIFT. Per his Instagram testimonial, he came to the agency seeking therapy.

“One of my friends was going to therapy and he was telling me about it, and I figured I should find a therapist too,” Graham said. “One of my conditions was that my therapist was Black, because I feel like talking to a Black therapist comes with a shared experience.”

Graham said therapy has really helped him in his everyday life.

“I can be reactionary sometimes, so it’s helped me to learn to be patient.”

Teeing off against stress

One of the most unique programs that Project LIFT offers is a partnership with First Tee-Cleveland. First Tee-Cleveland is a non-profit organization that teaches life skills through golf lessons. The coaches work with the young men of Project LIFT, teaching them basic golf skills. They also use the kitchen at First Tee-Cleveland to teach them how to cook. 

“They allow us to come into a space that is not traditional. Having them on the golf course,  you’d be surprised how calm these kids get on that green,” Logan said. “We do too many things that reinforce aggression, and we wonder why our kids are emotionally disregulated.”

What’s next?

“We have so many exciting things coming up this year,” Logan said. “We are fortunate to be working with Cuyahoga County Juvenile Courts and the restorative justice program. That’s huge for our kids, because that means less children ending up in juvenile corrections, which means less adults going into the adult system.”

“I’ve found in my work that Black men aren’t necessarily angry, they are depressed. They are trauma impacted. They are grieving. They are directionless because society has told them you have to be an athlete or an entertainer to be deemed successful. We don’t leave space for them to just be good men who are good fathers and partners.”

“Talk to us. This is a safe space for Black men and their families. Come as you are, and let’s see what we can do. If we can’t help you, we will make sure to connect you with someone who can.”

Project LIFT received a grant from the Cleveland Safety Neighborhood Fund, a $10 million fund that supports evidence-based interventions. Logan hopes that with the support of the grant and the community, Project LIFT will be able to expand the services it offers. 
The agency is looking for volunteers. Logan also encourages any young people or parents who are struggling to come to Project LIFT and have a conversation. 
Phone: 216-465-2000
Web site: projectliftservices.org