PLEASE NOTE: ALL COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS ARE CURRENTLY ON HOLD, DUE TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS.
One of the cornerstones of St. Colman Church is the dedication to "Just Open The Door." Through this belief and commitment, the Parish offers a number of programs, projects and support for parishioners and the community in which we serve.
All of these are made by possible by the very generous donations of time, talent and treasure by our members, friends and supporters.
NEIGHBORHOOD MEALS
The Community is invited to gather together the last two Saturdays each month to share a delicious meal, along with fellowship and fun!
Served in the Parish Hall, the meals are open to all. Doors open at 3 p.m. and dinner is served at 4 p.m.
LITERACY CLASSES
The GED/Literacy class at St. Colman’s has deep roots. The Seeds of Literacy program, now nationally recognized, was originally developed at St. Colman’s, led by Sister Kathleen Kilbane and supported by the Congregation of St. Joseph (CSJ).
Classes are offered twice a week, on Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with about 10 to12 students at each class. Most times, students are paired one-on-one with volunteers. Child care is available.
Students – and volunteers – interested in the GED/Literacy program should contact the St. Colman Parish Office at 216-651-0550, ext. 100.
COMPUTER LAB
Recognizing the growing importance of being connected through computers, St. Colman offers free lessons for beginners, with the opportunity to earn a refurbished laptop computer.
Weekly classes are offered and, in addition, the Lab is open twice weekly for visitors to utilize the computers for employment hunting, applications, education and entertainment.
ID COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM
You need a key to unlock a door. But you can only get the key by unlocking the door. Make sense? Of course not. Yet this is the dilemma facing thousands of people, usually low income or immigrants, in obtaining required State ID cards necessary for job applications, housing, medical needs, education and more.
Obtaining needed birth certificates is both a time-consuming and expensive process, particularly if it involves out of state agencies. In 1999, the ID Collaborative was formed at St. Colman’s to assist with this process. Now an agency of Cuyahoga County, there are offices throughout the area.
The ID Collaborative is available at St. Colman’s on Wednesdays, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., by appointment only.
FOOD PANTRY, EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
St. Colman's Outreach Ministry is dedicated to providing assistance to those in need, either through direct support or referral to appropriate agencies and programs.
A Food Pantry, stocked with donations from parishioners and friends, provides help when needed. In addition, through a special Backpack Project, basic supplies and snacks were assembled in canvas backpacks decorated with messages of hope and happiness, ready to be handed out when needed.
Students – and volunteers – interested in any of the Community Outreach programs should contact the St. Colman Parish Office at 216-651-0550, ext. 100.
CAROL'S LIBRARY
Located in the Parish Hall, Carol's Library provides books for all ages, in all topics and categories. Open to all, the Library, named for Sister Carol English, former Parish Administrator, encourages visitors to "Take a book or two or three. Read them, enjoy them, keep them, share or bring them back."