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October 27, 2020

Hopewell's University Circle Transition Program

Our new University Circle Transition Program adds the heritage and capability of Hopewell to the vibrancy of Cleveland’s University Circle area.

Like our Club Hope program, our University Circle Transition Program presents a structured and supported way for those discharged from our farm-based residential community to practice and broaden their independent living skills.

Participants in our University Circle Transition Program live in their own furnished apartments, but are supported by a team of Hopewell staff, including full-time staff working in the same building, visiting staff from the farm, and “virtual” farm team members providing services to them via telehealth.

For each new participant, our University Circle Transition Program begins with a high degree of clinical and case-management structure and support, and then is adapted to the needs of each participant. We help them access the rich cultural, entertainment, educational, occupational and mental health services in University Circle at the same time as they build more independence, more confidence, and more effectiveness.

Transition planning at Hopewell begins even before admission to the farm, as our entire purpose is to help farm residents live a more self-reliant and satisfying life. For some farm residents, this transition means returning to their home communities after discharge, either with their original supporting structures or with new structures that our staff has helped them find. Other farm residents after discharge participate in Club Hope, our day program at the farm itself.

To these options we have now added our University Circle program, which is perfect for those who are ready for discharge from our farm, but not yet ready for fully independent living. Participants in our University Circle Transition Program, through the resources we both make directly available to them and also help them discover in the University Circle area, can make a structured, supported, and Hopewell-integrated transition to more independent living.

University Circle is at the center of much of Cleveland’s educational, health care, arts, and employment communities. Within a mile of our Transition Program apartments are Case-Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Institute of Art, the Cleveland Music Settlement, Magnolia Clubhouse, University Hospitals of Cleveland, the Cleveland VA Medical Center, the Cleveland Clinic, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Cleveland Botanical Garden, many parks, and countless volunteer, employment, dining, entertainment, and shopping opportunities.