Motivated and Empowered Inc. Launches Phase One of “A Home for Me” with First Home — Station Bloom — Secured in East Cleveland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

East Cleveland, OH — Motivated and Empowered Inc. proudly announces the launch of Phase One of A Home for Me, its groundbreaking housing initiative designed to provide trauma-informed emergency and transitional housing for vulnerable teen mothers and young women. The first home, Station Bloom, has officially been secured in East Cleveland, Ohio, and renovations are now underway.

This milestone marks a historic step forward in addressing youth homelessness, maternal health disparities, and housing instability across Cleveland and Cuyahoga County — particularly among Black and Brown young women disproportionately impacted by poverty, system involvement, and unsafe living conditions.

Councilman Michael Houser (Ward 10) has become the first elected official to support Station Bloom with both action and investment, contributing $10,000 toward Phase One of the project.

“Housing is fundamental to dignity and respect, especially for expecting mothers who need stability during such a critical moment in their lives,” said Councilman Houser. “I support this project because it strengthens housing security in District 10 while meeting people where they are and honoring the needs of families.”

Station Bloom will serve as a trauma-informed emergency and transitional home for pregnant and parenting teen mothers and young women ages 13–24 who are experiencing homelessness, fleeing unsafe environments, or aging out of foster care. The program will provide safe housing, maternal wellness support, infant care, parenting education, case management, mental health services, education pathways, and workforce development — all under one roof.

A Vision Born from Lived Experience

The vision for Station Bloom is deeply personal to Bianca Crawford, Founder and Executive Director of Motivated and Empowered Inc.

Bianca is the daughter of a teen mother and experienced homelessness for the majority of her own childhood and young adult life. She attended 18 different schools before graduating high school early and navigated instability, system involvement, and trauma firsthand. Despite these barriers, she built Motivated and Empowered Inc. to ensure that no other young woman would have to endure what she survived alone.

“Station Bloom is the home I once needed,” said Crawford. “It is the safety net I wish existed for my mother. Today, we currently have 17 unhoused young mothers in our network who need immediate stability. This home is not just a building — it is a promise that their story will be different.”

Impact for the City, County, and Youth

Cuyahoga County faces an urgent crisis in youth homelessness, with over 1,200 unaccompanied minors experiencing housing instability each year. Black girls and teen mothers represent a significant portion of those impacted yet remain underserved by traditional housing systems.

Station Bloom directly addresses this gap by providing:

• Immediate crisis housing for teen mothers and vulnerable girls• Maternal and infant wellness supports• Parenting and life-skills education• Mental health and trauma-informed care• Education re-engagement and workforce readiness• Long-term housing navigation

For East Cleveland, the project represents community reinvestment, neighborhood stabilization, and compassionate development rooted in dignity and care. For Cuyahoga County, it adds a critical solution to reduce youth homelessness, infant health disparities, and generational poverty. For young mothers and their children, it represents safety, opportunity, and restored futures.

Phase One Underway — Community Support Needed

With the home secured and renovations in progress, Motivated and Empowered Inc. is now inviting community members, corporations, foundations, and partners to join Phase One through:

• Donor Tree sponsorships• Room naming opportunities• In-kind donations of furnishings and infant supplies• Volunteer renovation and home setup days

Learn More or Get Involved

Website: www.motivatedanempowered.com/bloomEmail: info@motivatedanempowered.comPhone: (216) 925-5072

About Motivated and Empowered Inc.

Motivated and Empowered Inc. is a Cleveland-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering vulnerable girls, young women, and families through mentorship, education, housing, wellness, and workforce development. Founded by Bianca Crawford, the organization serves youth across Cuyahoga County and beyond, providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive programs that restore dignity, safety, and opportunity.