Collinwood | Community Organizing
Marlene Gatewood-Allen is passionate about social and community engagement and how it can be used to build individual capacity and provide ways for residents to live life and not just exist. A lifelong Clevelander, Marlene, is a volunteer planner for the Euclid Beach Blast, one of North Collinwood’s annual community festivals. She was elected to the Northeast Shores Development Corporation Board of Directors. She utilizes the position as a vehicle to improve communication with all residents and connect them to available community opportunities. She founded the East 169th Street Block Club and is actively involved in bringing neighbors together for street beautification projects and activities and events to increase participation, awareness and interest in their community. Through NLDP, Marlene plans to create and lead projects that generate funds while providing opportunities for social and community engagement. Portions of the proceeds will be used to support the startup needs of future social entrepreneurs attempting to bring about change in Cleveland’s neighborhoods. Marlene is hopeful that such contributions will improve the chances of implementing successful community based projects.
