CPF Community Partner of the Month Award Recipients
2025 Community Partner Award Recipients
The Cleveland Police Foundation has implemented the Community Partner of the Month Award, given to individuals from the community who strive to support the mission goals of The Cleveland Division of Police and the CPF. These good folks support law enforcement and continue on a daily basis to help improve their individual neighborhoods. Award recipients receive a plaque and appropriate recognition. Thank you to these achievers!
August Community Partner of the Month
OneHope NEO
OneHope NEO has been nominated by Second District Commander Tim Maffo-Judd and chosen as the Cleveland Police Foundation’s Community Partner of the Month for August 2025. In his nomination he cites the following reasons for this honor:
“OneHope NEO is a community outreach center located in the heart of the Second District. This institution is founded with Hispanic traditions and in a neighborhood centered around the Hispanic community.
The staff has welcomed the Cleveland Police at many events and allowed the monthly District Policing Committee meetings to be held in their facility, complete with coffee and refreshments each time. The OneHope NEO Center also hosts ‘come drink coffee with us’ events on Wednesdays and invites officers and community members to attend.
Recently, OneHope NEO partnered with Second District officers to assist with clothing donations to the community. Their continued partnership also allows a liaison line between community members who may not have contacted the police to feel comfortable in getting assistance from law enforcement, forming a bond with the community through valuable interaction.”
It is because of their commitment to the community they serve that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name OneHope NEO our Community Partner of the Month for August 2025.
– Bob Guttu, CPF
Nominated by Second District Commander Tim Maffo-Judd
July Community Partner of the Month
Delinda Hupka and the West Park YMCA
The Cleveland Police Foundation’s Community Partner of the Month for July 2025 is the Greater Cleveland West Park YMCA and Director Delinda Hupka. The YMCA is a non-profit fitness and community center that empowers people by improving health, strengthening families, and bettering communities. Welcoming to people from all walks of life, the West Park YMCA provides programs and activities that enhance the well-being of all.
CPD Community Engagement Officer Kerry Adams nominated the West Park Y and Director Hupka for this recognition, stating:
“The West Park YMCA has been partners with the First District for several years. Delinda Hupka is the director and has played a huge role in putting together several community events. We have had Christmas parties for the kids at Laura’s Home, where Delinda set up a donation tree to make it possible for the kids to receive gifts. She set up the Rise Program where kids and our officers had the opportunity to talk about community issues and then play basketball together. This program was a huge success between our youth in the community and the officers. Delinda really wants what’s best for the West Park YMCA and the community.”
It is because of her compassion for the kids and the West Park community that the Cleveland Police Foundation is proud to name Delinda Hupka and the West Park YMCA our Community Partner of the Month for July 2025.
– Bob Guttu, CPF
Nominated by Community Engagement Officer Kerry Adams
June Community Partner of the Month
Hispanic Police Officers' Association
The Hispanic Police Officers’ Association (HPOA) has been proudly serving its members and the greater community since it was founded in 1986. Although historically comprised of Hispanic officers from the Cleveland Division of Police, the HPOA proudly serves public safety personnel from multiple agencies, of both Hispanic and non-Hispanic descent alike, and shares a strong commitment to diversity and inclusiveness.
This year, the HPOA, along with the Cleveland Police Foundation, co-sponsored the Guardians of Hope softball team, which is mainly comprised of CPD officers, in hopes of building morale, camaraderie, and overall well-being.
CPD Patrol Officer Joe Walsh, who nominated the organization for its support of the team, shared: “The Hispanic Police Officers’ Association has been one of our biggest supporters since its beginning. They do an amazing job of being inclusive to everyone, and have multiple events yearly which allows everyone to participate and helps build the camaraderie within the department. This organization is a great representation of what other organizations should and could be with good people managing it.”
It is because of their commitment and dedication to our CPD officers that the Cleveland Police Foundation is proud to name the Hispanic Police Officers’ Association its Community Partner of the Month for June 2025.
– Bob Guttu, CPF
Nominated by 2nd District Patrol Officer Joe Walsh
May Community Partner of the Month
Ohio Operation Flags of Freedom and Serpentini Chevrolet Strongsville
This month’s very special Community Partners of the Month are the Ohio Operation Flags of Freedom and Serpentini Chevrolet Strongsville. In his own words, Cleveland Division of Police Sgt. Tom Ross explains how this partnership began:
“When the Cleveland Police Foundation and former CPF Executive Director Rick DeChant heard that we were in critical need of a trailer and truck for the 300 mile Police Unity Tour, they immediately connected us with the incredible folks at Operation Flags of Freedom and Serpentini Chevrolet Strongsville.
“Without their support, we could not have completed the rigorous journey from New Jersey to Washington D.C., allowing us to honor several fallen officers from our area. Team Ohio is very grateful for the Cleveland Police Foundation, Rick DeChant and these very generous donors.”
“I would also like to thank these donors and my good friend and former colleague Rick DeChant for going the extra mile so Team Ohio could participate in the Police Unity Tour. It is because of their willingness to step forward and give support to our Heroes in Blue that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name the Ohio Operation Flags of Freedom and Sepentini Chevrolet Strongsville its Community Partner of the Month for May 2025.
– Bob Guttu, CPF
Nominated by Sgt. Tom Ross
April Community Partner of the Month
Hispanic Senior Center
The Hispanic Community Senior Center offers recreational and socialization activities for Hispanic adults, with a focus on the cultural and linguistic needs of seniors in Greater Cleveland’s Hispanic community. Over time, these seniors have also become strong supporters of the officers in the Cleveland Division of Police Second District.
In a gesture of appreciation, Commander Tim Maffo Judd and several officers from the Second District recently hosted a pancake breakfast for the seniors. The event was well attended and warmly received, with officers not only cooking the breakfast but serving it as well.
Emilly Lebron, Project Coordinator with the City of Cleveland’s Department of Aging, shared her appreciation: “Thank you Commander Maffo for making this event a reality. It was a wonderful and meaningful event for the seniors and had a positive impact in our community.”
Commander Maffo Judd responded, “It was indeed our honor to provide breakfast to these very special individuals who not only support us but welcome us into their community.”
Councilwoman Jasmin Santana also attended the breakfast, which was supported by the Cleveland Police Foundation.
It is because of their ongoing support and care for the Cleveland Division of Police that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name the Hispanic Community Senior Center its Community Partner of the Month for April 2025.
-Bob Guttu, CPF
Nominated by 2nd District Commander Tim Maffo Judd
March Community Partner of the Month
Greater Cleveland Food Bank
The Cleveland Police Foundation is proud to recognize the Greater Cleveland Food Bank as our Community Partner of the Month for March 2025. This organization was nominated by Fifth District Lieutenant Marcus Montanaro, who shared the following:
“The Greater Cleveland Food Bank has provided much needed food to those in our community regularly and consistently. They have countless services that move around to various locations to provide assistance. They also provide an avenue for caring members of the community to volunteer to help those in need that may not have otherwise become involved.
This includes members of the Cleveland Police Department, which helps showcase the division in an extremely positive light. Throughout other tough financial and staffing challenges, somehow, someway the Greater Cleveland Food Bank has always managed to continue its programs to help the community—most notably showing their commitment to Cleveland’s Fifth District Police Officers and the Collinwood neighborhood.”
It is because of their ongoing compassion and dedication—to both the community and the officers who serve it—that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name the Greater Cleveland Food Bank our Community Partner of the Month.
-Bob Guttu, CPF
Nominated by Lt. Marcus Montanaro, Fifth District
February Community Partner of the Month
Ohio Technical College
Since 1969, Ohio Technical College has been providing hands-on career training in the automotive industry as well as programs in auto-diesel, collision, motorsports, restoration, and welding.
Recently, they volunteered to restore the Cleveland Division of Police Monster Truck that was once used by the Community Relations Unit.
I spoke with CPD Patrol Officer Kerry Adams, who spearheaded this mission. She stated, “The truck was in pretty bad shape with the paint peeling on the body and the motor was running really rough. I spoke with Tom Ballard from OTC and he told me after talking with the students, they would be happy to make the truck look great again.”
“They then began the project by stripping the vehicle down, preparing the body, and painting it. They also detailed the truck, including cleaning the interior, the tires, and chrome pieces. We would like to thank Mr. Ballard and the students for their effort in restoring this truck and making it usable once again.”
It is because of their hard work in restoring the CPD Monster Truck and their support of the Cleveland Division of Police that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name Ohio Technical College our Community Partner of the Month for February 2025.
– Bob Guttu, CPF (Nominated by CPD Officers Kerry Adams and J.R. Bellamy)
January Community Partner of the Month
Joyce Hood
Joyce Hood has been a Fourth District community member for over 36 years. In 2004, she saw the challenges in her neighborhood and took it upon herself to help, always keeping her doors open for those in need.
Many children in Ms. Hood’s neighborhood see her as a mother figure and respect her as such. In 2009, she founded KNOWLEDGE Youth Organization, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting young people. In 2012, she and her organization launched Ladies of Today, a mentorship program focused on helping young women. She originally worked with students from John F. Kennedy High School but now focuses on John Adams High School.
Ms. Hood has worked tirelessly to build relationships with public safety officials, grantors, and others to bring resources to the students she serves. Her passion for serving and nurturing young minds has inspired many.
It is because of this dedication to the community that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name Ms. Joyce Hood its Community Partner of the Month for January 2025.
– Bob Guttu, CPF