Our #CommonGroundCLE Conversations guest blog series showcases groups across Cuyahoga County hosting community conversations July 30 as part of our Common Ground initiative. Find out what the Greater Cleveland YMCA is planning for their Common Ground conversation in this guest blog from the organization:

The Greater Cleveland YMCA invites you to participate in a Common Ground conversation on how to combat the opioid crisis in our community. The conversation will take place from 12 – 2 p.m. at the Parker Hannifin Downtown YMCA.

We hear it every day: another casualty from the opioid epidemic that’s sweeping the nation. If that isn’t bad enough, Ohio leads the nation in overdose deaths. Unfortunately, it seems each of us knows someone who has been lost to a drug overdose. And this loss, whether it’s a family member, friend, neighbor or even a mere acquaintance, is a harrowing example of this crisis hitting home.

But how do we stop it? The simple answer is that no one person or organization can do it alone. Building a resilient community relies on multiple organizations and multiple partnerships that make Cleveland safer and stronger. It’s the strength in numbers that will help us successfully battle the opioid epidemic. This is just what the YMCA of Greater Cleveland and the Cleveland Foundation aim to do, along with many others who are committed to social change in our communities.

The YMCA believes that when we work together, we move individuals, families and communities forward. Since 1854, the Y has responded to society’s most pressing needs by developing innovative, community-based solutions and uniting people from all walks of life to participate and work for positive social change. It’s from this very spirit that the Y-Haven program was born. Y-Haven, created by the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, is the city’s largest recovery housing program, providing homeless men with transitional housing, recovery and vocational services, permanent housing placement and so much more. For the past 26 years, many men in Y-Haven have successfully learned the tools and skills to lead stable, successful and drug-free lives.

But while Y-Haven is a critical part to solving the opioid epidemic, it’s just one of many pieces. We invite you to join us and discuss what steps are needed to begin to solve this crisis as part of the Cleveland Foundation’s Common Ground initiative on July 30, 2017. In partnership with the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, the YMCA of Greater Cleveland is proud to host the following Common Ground conversation:

Common Ground: Solving the Opioid Crisis

Hosted by: The CMHA and YMCA of Greater Cleveland

Parker Hannifin Downtown YMCA: 1301 E. 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44114

Register today, we look forward to seeing you and starting the conversation on combating the opioid crisis in our community!