Almost 40 teams participated in the Health Action Council's Healthy Kids Spring Step It Up Challenge in March and April, and Cleveland Metropolitan School District's Wilbur Wright PreK-8 School in the West Boulevard neighborhood took fifth place—earning $500 for school playground equipment.

Morris Ervin overcame a troubled past to become a passionate educator and advocate for social justice. His memoir, “Reflections of a Troubled Black Man,” recounts his transformation and his ongoing work to foster empathy and inclusivity in challenging environments. Ervin will host a book signing infused with music and meditation at The Yoga Lab, reflecting his journey and mission.

The City of South Euclid has more than 60 acres of parks in its four square miles, each with a wealth of recreation options. South Euclid Parks and Recreation director Daniel Subwick wants to add healthy eating to the menu at Bexley Park—the city's largest and most popular park.

Celebrating its 25th year, the Y-Haven Theatre Project—a collaboration between YMCA of Greater Cleveland and Cleveland Public Theatre—will present "Troubled Waters," a play based on the lives of Y-Haven Treatment and Recovery Center residents.

In 2009, Ohio legislators designated December 21 as Ohio Homeless Memorial Day. For 37 years, the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless has held a candlelight vigil to remember and honor those who died while experiencing homelessness in the last year.

With a mission of advancing the health and well-being of the Northeast Ohio community, the Community West Foundation recently approved $765,500 in fourth-quarter grants to 18 local nonprofit agencies.

David Knott, founder of the Veterans and First Responders Foundation, is on a mission to give military and police dogs everything they need when they retire from duty—from staying with their handlers to healthcare—with his nonprofit Howling Heroes. The first five dogs were just honored last month.

Dr. Alexa Fiffick recently opened Concierge Medicine of Westlake, part of Ms. Medicine, a network of female-owned medical providers who aim to transform women's healthcare using the concierge model. Fiffick's aim is to bring change to women's healthcare, with a particular focus on menopause.

Cleveland's culinary community gathered last week at Rood Food and Pie to raise money for chef John and Allysun Selick's daughter Hannah Doty's continuing care as she recovers from AMSAN, rare form of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Denisha Parker opened Yoga Nisha in June—fulfilling her mission to create a welcoming space where a diverse group of people can gather and promote mindfulness, physical wellness, and self-exploration.

The Village of Healing Center opened its doors in Euclid last year to combat the health inequities Black women experience and the high infant mortality rates in Cuyahoga County. A $1 million St. Luke's Foundation grant will help the organization expand its services and coverage area.

The pickleball craze is taking off in Northeast Ohio. The hybrid of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton is now one of the fastest growing sports in the country, and new facilities are popping up all over Greater Cleveland.

The Kimpton Schofield Hotel wants guests to have a bit of green therapy with its new Plant Pals Program. Guests can adopt a plant during their stays to bring some stress relieving nature to their experiences.

This weekend, Harness Collective will host Groundswell Fest—a day-long celebration of movement featuring workout sessions, self-care stations, a vendor village, and live music.

Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Ohio’s largest land trust, last year marked 70,000 acres of public and private land in Ohio that is now permanently protected for future generations.
 

A group with the YMCA of Greater Cleveland's Y-Haven Theatre Project will take the Cleveland Public Theatre stage this weekend to present "In Our Wake"—a play based on the actors' own true stories of recovery. 

The Western Reserve Land Conservancy is leading the way in a months-long inventory of all of Cleveland’s 167,157 land parcels—identifying and prioritizing properties for rehabilitation, lead abatement, code violations, demolition and other pressing needs.

Long Covid causes a myriad of health problems that can last weeks, months, or even years—keeping two million to four million Americans out of work. Multi-disciplinary teams of medical experts at three of Cleveland's major hospital systems are working to alleviate the ailments of long-haulers with Long Covid clinics.

Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry guardian Octavia Maynard and 86-year-old Nora share a love for hitting the open road on a motorcycle. Maynard recently went above her normal duties and worked with four riding groups to take Nora on the motorcycle adventure of her life.   

More than 1,000 runners competed on Saturday, Oct. 8 in Canalway's Towpath Trail marathon, half marathon, and 10K race. FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski captured this year's event in this photo essay.