Goodrich-Gannett Neighborhood Center

Our History

Goodrich-Gannett Neighborhood Center (GGNC) was founded as Goodrich House by Flora Stone Mather in 1896 as one of Cleveland’s first settlement houses. The first Goodrich House was erected at East 6th Street and St. Clair Avenue, in the heart of the downtown residential area. Flora Stone Mather solely funded the construction of the building and the first ten years of operation of Goodrich House. By 1914, the agency moved east to Superior Avenue and East 40th Street with the resettling of immigrants. During the 1960’s, Goodrich House was renamed Goodrich-Gannett Neighborhood Center, honoring both Reverend Goodrich of the Old Stone Church and Alice Gannett, a long time head worker at the settlement house. With the name change came a new location, the vacant “Carnegie” library on East 55th Street near St. Clair Avenue. In 1974, when Cleveland Trust Bank relocated and donated the adjacent bank building, the Center expanded again. Our historical building is now the anchor institution of the neighborhood serving as the gateway for numerous individuals to access an array of vital services.

GGNC reflects the unique features of the Goodrich/Kirtland and St. Clair/Superior neighborhoods that it serves. With 19,000 residents, this community is the most ethnically diverse of neighborhoods in the City of Cleveland, with a residential population that is 46% Caucasian (predominantly Slovenian, Croatian and Appalachian), 42% African-American, 9% Hispanic and 4% Asian. Our community encompasses an area on Cleveland’s east side which extends from East 13th Street to East 82nd Street, from Lake Erie on the east side of East 55th Street south to Euclid Avenue, and on the west side of East 55th Street south to Superior Avenue.

Our Services

FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH:

• Preschool for children, ages 3-5 years (24 children)
• Summer camp for children, ages 5-12 years (72 children)
• After school program for children, ages 5-12 years (72 children)
• Special programs (Computer education, cooking, photography)
• Teen services for youth, ages 13-17 years (35 teens)
• Boy Scouts

FOR ADULTS, INDIVIDUALS, AND FAMILIES:

• Parent Education, counseling and support (65 parents/week)
• Balancing Work and Family - Parent Education
• Shoes and Clothes For Kids Distribution Site
• Holiday assistance (300+ Families)
• Men Supporting Kids

FOR OLDER ADULTS: LIFELEARN:

• Nutritional/meal program: congregate, and home delivered meals(150 meals/day)
• Saturday meal program (200)
• Therapeutic recreation, socialization, nutrition education andphysical exercise classes
• Transportation services and housekeeping services
• Social services, advocacy and referral, benefits assistance
• Health screening and assistance, health education and counseling
• Legal aid, voter registration, and Golden Buckeye applications
• Friendly visiting and telephoning, volunteer activities
• Computer education and intergenerational activities