Volunteer and community service organizations that strengthen and improve the Cleveland community were the focus of the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon on Thursday, March 7. Representatives from three organizations—dedicated to assisting the homeless, enriching the lives of senior citizens, and providing employment resources—spoke to Chamber members about their missions and needs.
Heartwarming Living Solutions Inc.
Evie Valportodesa, founder of Heartwarming Living Solutions Inc., shared the organization’s efforts to help the homeless transition into safe, stable housing. The nonprofit is entirely self-funded, with volunteers offering housing and other services to the homeless as a labor of love.
“This isn’t just a shelter; we strive to provide long-term care,” Valportodesa explained. “If they are capable of working, we make sure they are working. This isn’t a ‘stay as long as you want’ program. We get them involved in different activities, whether that’s team aid, nursing homes, or other opportunities.”
Valportodesa emphasized that most of the individuals they serve—about 99.9%—are senior citizens over 65, many of whom are veterans.
“There’s a misconception that all homeless people are lazy or drug addicts. While that may be true for some, many just need an address to obtain the documentation required for a driver’s license or employment,” she said, adding that without help it would be impossible for them to get back on their feet.
The organization provides emergency shelters based on individual circumstances and then transitions individuals into long-term housing. Key challenges they face is the lack of income-based housing and some of the requirements to obtain low-income housing.
“Our main priority is getting them into permanent homes, and we have had quite a bit of success,” Valportodesa added.
The organization’s greatest need is volunteers to assist with tasks such as transporting individuals to get birth certificates, Social Security cards, or job interviews. Financial donations are also welcome, as the costs currently fall on Valportodesa, board members, and volunteers. Heartwarming Living Solutions Inc. also operates a shelter in San Antonio.
“We just really need support,” she said, encouraging the community to join their mission. To learn more about donating or volunteering, visit their Facebook page.
Cleveland Senior Citizens Center
Lynette Jackson, the new director of the Cleveland Senior Citizens Center, enthusiastically outlined the many programs and services offered at the center.
“Senior centers work in partnership with community agencies, organizations, and businesses to provide opportunities for older adults to stay safe, active, and healthy,” Jackson said. “Our programs help seniors experience better psychological well-being, increased social interaction, and greater life satisfaction.”
She invited Chamber guests to visit the center, enjoy lunch, and participate in the daily activities offered Monday through Friday.
“If you haven’t been to the Cleveland Senior Center lately, we have new paint and a fresh vibe,” she added.
Hot lunches are provided free of charge for seniors 60 and older. For those under 60, meals are available for $5, including to-go meals. The center also offers home-delivered meals through the Meals on Wheels program. From October 1, 2024, to February 2025, the center served:
- Congregate (in-house) meals: 5,137 in Liberty County, 236 in San Jacinto County
- Homebound (Meals on Wheels): 6,186 in Liberty County, 2,871 in San Jacinto County
- Disabled individuals: 1,404 in Liberty County, 712 in San Jacinto County
Weekly activities include:
- Bingo: Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m.
- Dominoes: Daily
- Arthritis chair exercises: Tuesdays at 10 a.m.; Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
- Quilting classes: Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Monthly birthday celebrations: Third Wednesday of each month
- Fish Fry Fridays: Featuring live music by the Loose Change Band (first Friday), karaoke (second Friday), Singo Bingo with DJ George (third Friday), and the Holy Roller Band (fourth Friday).
The center is also planning several upcoming events, including:
- Annual Crawfish Boil – May 2025 (date TBD)
- Purse Bingo – September
- Fall Festival – October
- Annual Christmas Party – December
- 45th Anniversary Celebration – November
Additionally, the center is launching a new transportation program on Monday, March 10, sponsored by Entergy Texas, to help seniors travel to and from the facility.
Workforce Solutions
Anna Jones, business services manager for Workforce Solutions, highlighted the many free resources available to businesses and job seekers through its programs.
“How many of you use Indeed?” Jones asked the Chamber audience. “Several, I know you’re paying more than $200, $300 a month (to use Indeed to find job applicants). But did you know that we have our Work in Texas system? We have a pool of thousands of individuals, and it’s completely free for employers to post jobs and connect with candidates.”
Jones explained that businesses can utilize Workforce Solutions to list job openings and even have a dedicated recruiter working to fill those positions at no cost.
“If you need help posting jobs, just let us know. We’re more than happy to assist you,” she said.
In addition to job postings, Workforce Solutions organizes hiring events, both on-site and off-site, with recruiters assigned to bring candidates directly to employers.
Another resource available to businesses is customized employer training. Jones noted that many companies face challenges with employee retention and onboarding.
“We find that a lot of employers are going through challenges, whether it’s retaining staff or onboarding the staff. We have our talent development team who actually—if you are facing whatever challenge it is with your workforce, with your current staff—you know, all you need to do is get in touch with us. We can schedule a meeting, and we have our talent development team to do an assessment, and we are able to provide customized trainings for you. Again, you’re not having to hire somebody, a third party, and pay thousands of money to create these customized trainings for you. These are no cost to you,” Jones said.
Another resource is the Paid Work Experience Program, which allows businesses to host young workers, ages 16 to 24, with Workforce Solutions covering their wages.
“This program basically is giving you the opportunity to have free labor. We, Workforce Solutions, pay the funds for up to 12 weeks. You give us the work site, you give us the job description. We find individuals to get placed. It’s called Paid Work Experience,” Jones said.
She explained that the program helps young workers with little to no experience get started in the workforce.
“The individuals that are getting placed are the ages of 16 through 24 years of age. These are young people that have very little or no experience in the workforce. We are looking for employers that are willing to take the time or to get them trained, and for those 12 weeks, Workforce Solutions will be paying anywhere from 10 to 15 dollars an hour. All we need from you is your tax ID, your EIN number. We will create an account, and there is an application that needs to get filled out, and for those 12 weeks, this individual—this intern—will be reporting to you. We will have a counselor that is assigned to that, and we’ll be following them to see how that’s going. If that doesn’t work out for you, let us know, and we’ll get someone else there,” Jones said.
Jones also highlighted the Summer Earn and Learn Program, which provides job placements for individuals with disabilities between the ages of 16 and 22.
“We’re placing individuals from the ages 16 through 22 with disabilities. They are high-functioning to low-functioning, but they also need an opportunity of placement. So if you are interested and you are someone that would like to have a business and would like to be—give back to the community, and give these young adults some type of work experience, get those applications filled,” she said.
For more information on the Liberty County office of Workforce Solutions, call 936-336-8063, email liberty@wrksolutions.com, or visit wrksolutions.com.
New members welcomed, honors given to other members
Prime Edge Agricultural Solutions and Cleveland Survey Company were recognized as the newest members of the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. Pace-Stancil Funeral Home was recognized as the Business of the Quarter and Chellene Barrett with Lone Star Cleaners was recognized as the Volunteer of the Quarter.
Scott Swigert, who is leaving his position of city manager for the City of Cleveland to take a position as city manager for Huntsville, was recognized for the leadership he provided during his two years in Cleveland.
“Scott, on the day it was announced that you would be the new city manager, we started getting excited to have someone in the city leadership who believed in the value and benefit of a partnership with the Chamber,” said Board Chairman Brian Garcia, adding that it was new and refreshing. “Your background and qualifications brought a much-needed positive perspective to the opportunities that the Chamber and the City had to do bigger and better things in Cleveland. Your leadership and support have helped to breathe new life into areas of our community and organization. The foundation has now been set for the next city manager to come in and join what we are always working toward. Thank you for all you’ve accomplished here and we wish you the best in Huntsville.”