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!
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