Social work is all about strengthening ties among individuals, families and communities, and what better way to do that than by sharing meals.

The Dr. Semi J. and Ruth Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education is partnering with independent restaurants in the Cleveland area in an innovative program designed to bring holiday cheer to some local families and strengthen community ties. The Begun Center is part of Case's Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences.

The program, "Nourishing Community: Local Restaurants Serving Local Families" will pair at-risk families with members of the Cleveland Independent Restaurant Association, the local chapter of the Council of Independent Restaurants of America. Employees of participating restaurants will purchase gifts and prepare a holiday meal, all of which will be delivered to their "families" today (the day before Chanukah) or December 23.

"Social work must be creative to meet today's community and family needs," said Grover C. Gilmore, dean and professor of social work at the Mandel School. "Bringing together local, independent restaurants with disadvantaged families represents a unique approach to community building that will benefit all the parties involved."

Thirty restaurants so far have agreed to participate in the "Nourishing Community" program. Families taking part in the program were selected by the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services and the Jewish Family Services Association.

"Research has shown that greater community support of at-risk families improves community-family unity and leads to lower levels of community and family violence," said Mark Fleisher, Begun professor and director
of the Begun Center.

Return to the online edition of the 12-18-03 Campus News.