The 'American Dream' Told by Cleveland Heights

There is no definition for the “American Dream,” no way to describe it. It is defined through stories, through memories, through hard work and luck. People give it reality. And it changes. 

In Cleveland Heights, there are examples of a broken American Dream and a bountiful one. 

We’re launching a new series on Patch called “Dispatches: The Changing American Dream" built upon the compelling examples you share and snapshots we discover. And we've already started telling the story. 

on Lee Road closed after giving was the best, most personal customer service they had received at a hardware store because of the competition from big, national chains. Despite local support, it just wasn’t enough to keep them afloat.

While some merchants are choosing to shutter their shops, new businesses are sprouting up all over Cleveland Heights, such as ,  and  restaurant and bar. opened a second location in Cleveland Heights just about a year ago and has helped revive the area. 

Many are squeezing their budgets more each month, but also stretching their time to help others. The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District had to turn volunteers away who wanted to help with its summer dinner and reading program. collected more than 2,000 book donations for kids despite being a relatively new organization.

A federal fund that helps support several local projects was this year, and City Council members say it will be slashed more. The city holding public hearings  so residents can provide input on how to use the money it receives from the Community Development Block Grant to fund crucial local nonprofits like Family Connections, the Home Repair Resource Center and the Heights Emergency Food Center. 

Browsing through the hundreds of Patch sites across the country, other towns have similar stories. Foreclosed homes, unemployment, smaller budgets. New businesses, creative solutions, increased volunteerism.

But we want to tell the story in Cleveland Heights, and we need your help.

Tell us what issues and what stories in Cleveland Heights illustrate the American Dream.

You can contact me via email at Michelle.Simakis@Patch.com, by phone or send me a message through Facebook or Twitter.