Upcoming Events

In Their Path 2009!

How You Can Help

It all started with a walk. Cleveland activist Joan Southgate heard the whisper of ancestors to walk in honor of the courage and creativity of the freedom seekers and conductors brought together along Ohio’s Underground Railroad. Joan, then 73, followed that call to walk from the small abolitionist enclave of Ripley in southern Ohio back to Cleveland and on to St. Catharines, Ontario, which had been the base of operation for Harriet Tubman.

Now, to mark her 80th birthday in spring 2009, Joan will “complete the circle,” walking from St. Catharines back to Cleveland, ending her journey on the lawn of the Cozad-Bates House. In Their Path 2009 will be dedicated to raising money to restore the historic home, the only pre-Civil War-era still standing in the University Circle area, and to continue the mission of Restore Cleveland Hope Inc. RCH is committed to establishing an education center in the Cozad-Bates House that celebrates Cleveland’s largely forgotten anti-slavery history and bring forward the lessons of that remarkable example of the power of collaboration across racial and ethnic lines. The University Circle area was once a hotbed of abolitionist activity.

Just as the Underground Railroad needed many “conductors” and “stationmasters” to succeed, In Their Path 2009 will need plenty of “modern-day conductors” to help Joan, founder and executive director of the non-profit RCH, reach her goal of raising $250,000. We challenge RCH friends and supporters to form teams of friends, coworkers or colleagues at church or other organizations to help raise $1,000 to “buy a mile” of her 250-mile journey from Canada to Cleveland. We also challenge members of the community to begin training now to join Joan May 30, 2009, on the final leg of her journey, walking the last few miles along Lake Erie through Bratenahl, down E. 105th Street, up Ford Drive and onto the lush lawn of the Cozad-Bates House.

The Fords of Ford Drive fame were documented Underground Railroad conductors. The Cozads were their neighbors and friends, were related to them by marriage and were fellow abolitionists. An Underground Railroad education center would celebrate the courage and contributions of them as well as the many other Clevelanders who worked on behalf of freedom.

Here is how you can be part of this grand adventure to celebrate Cleveland’s freedom fighters

1. Pledge to be part of this effort to realize the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision ofa Beloved Community built on reconciliation, freedom and hope. Return the enclosed pledge card with how you can contribute.
2. Assemble your team to “buy a mile” of Joan’s walk. Perhaps family, friends, church members, coworkers, block club or book club participants may want to join you in this remarkable journey. We’re available if you need help with ideas for building a team. Email us at info@restoreclevelandhope.org or call 216-231-0301.
3. Start training to join Joan and other supporters in the last few miles of her journey. Joan heads out for her training walk at 5 a.m. every day. If she can do that at 79, so can you. Our vision of a Beloved Community promotes both spiritual and physical wellbeing.
4. Send RCH updates of your progress. On our Website, www.restoreclevelandhope.org, we want to share your stories of creativity and collaboration to achieve this vision for Cleveland.
5. Mark your calendar to join us on May 30, 2009, when Joan “completes the circle” and returns to help launch a new phase for the historic Cozad-Bates House. We thank you all for your efforts. With the help of many, great deeds are possible.

Print a Flyer
Print a Pledge Card

• Newsletter
• Join the mailing list