Motivated and Empowered Inc. is coming off of a successful weekend hosting the There’s More 2 Me Boys & Teen Conference and leaders are now setting their sights on 2025. The service organization will begin offering respite care in early 2025.
The National Institute on Aging defines respite care as short-term relief for primary caregivers, giving them time to rest, travel or spend time with other family or friends. The care may last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks at a time and can take place in different locations.
Focus on children
Bianca Crawford, founder and CEO of the youth-centered organization, sees a need for respite care in the community, which is why this initiative is on top of her agenda for 2025. Her group’s respite care will focus on children.
“Right now in Cuyahoga County there is an increase in children who run away or who are dropped off somewhere in the middle of the night because they have gotten into a fight or argument with their family,” Crawford said.
Motivated and Empowered Inc. has been serving youth since 2012. The organization currently has chapters and programming in Cleveland, Nashville and Atlanta.
Cleveland Documenter Tina Scott has more from the Oct. 2 DCFS Advisory Board meeting:
- University Hospitals hired a child abuse pediatrician set to start in Jan. 2025
- DCFS Director said they’re averaging 1-2 kids overnight at Jane Edna, continuing trend from earlier this year.
New Year, New Goals
Their goal for 2025 is to create safe, temporary housing where youth and families can go during difficult situations at home. Crawford is currently searching for a building that can accommodate the needs of the respite care program and plans to announce the location in the next few months.
“Whether it be the kids got into an argument or fight with their parents or one or more of the parents is having a mental breakdown and needs a break, they can come to us,” she said.
Services offered in respite care will include financial literacy courses, help with finding a job, tutoring, education, housing assistance and more. Transitional dormitories will also be offered to families who are displaced to give them temporary housing while Motivated and Empowered Inc. works to get them into something long-term.
“Cuyahoga County is seeing an increase in homelessness in single moms and youth who are aging out of foster care, so the demand for basic needs are very high,” Crawford said. “I’m just helping people get on their feet. Whether it takes one year or three years, come with us and we’ll help to get you back on track.”
Check back for updates on this story when the respite care launches in 2025.
