Fatima Family Center Receives Director’s Community Leadership Award in Washington, D.C.
On Friday, April 20, 2018, the Fatima Family Center, located in Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood, received the prestigious FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) during a ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The Fatima Family Center provides programs and services for all ages, including cultural, leadership and development activities for children and youth, homework assistance, summer camp, field trips and recreational programs. Fatima also provides adult services, including parenting classes, computer lab, health screenings, and food pantry. Older adults can benefit from socialization activities designed specifically for them.
Originally established in 1973 as a pastoral counseling and outreach ministry of Our Lady of Fatima parish, Fatima Family Center prominently anchors the Hough community with a 26,000-square-foot facility developed by Catholic Charities and dedicated in 2000. In 2002, Fatima was recognized by the Annie E. Casey Foundation as one of the top five family centers in the United States.
The Fatima Family Center assisted with a “reverse ride-along” program with the Cleveland Division of Police. Cleveland Police recruits visit the center nd engage with longtime Hough neighborhood residents to hear about the progression from racial tension between residents and law enforcement in the 1960s to present-day partnership.
Director Christopher Wray with Fatima Family Center representative LaJean Ray. Select image for related material, including story and photos.
The Director’s Community Leadership Award, presented by the Director of the FBI, Christopher Wray, was formally created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America. Visit the FBI website at www.fbi.gov for details on the people and organizations who have most recently been recognized around the country for their service above and beyond the call of duty to help keep America and its kids safe.
The Fatima Family Center joins the ranks of recent Cleveland recipients: Robby’s Voice, Dr. Tom Collins, Yvonne Pointer, Fred Szabo, Jimmy Malone, the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, and Toledo’s Second Chance organization, the latter two of which partner with the FBI to care for victims of crimes in Northern Ohio.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen Anthony said, “The list of Cleveland-area FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award recipients is extraordinary. Our community has benefited greatly from the commitment of each of these incredible leaders. The FBI thanks the Fatima Family Center for the services provided to the community and for assisting in continuing the strong partnerships built between the neighborhood and law enforcement.”
For any questions regarding the FBI’s Community Outreach Program, visit www.fbi.gov or contact Cleveland FBI’s Community Outreach Program at 216.522.1400.
For any questions regarding this press release, please contact SA Vicki D. Anderson, 216.522.1400 or vdanderson@fbi.gov.
