Lakewood has always been known to thrive through connection, kindness, and a rock-solid sense of community in the best way possible. Tucked along Lake Erie’s shores and the grand view of Cleveland, this town has created an atmosphere of inclusiveness, diversity, and support, where neighbors become close and friends are made simply by taking a stroll.
One of the most prominent aspects of Lakewood’s culture is its deep dedication to creating a community that people will remember. Whether through spirited block parties, established traditions like the Fourth of July parade and festivities, or simply lending a helping hand, Lakewoodites have always believed that community is about looking out for neighbors.
Lakewood’s love for its citizens goes well beyond politeness; it is at the heart of the town. Local philanthropy works tirelessly to make every local feel at home, offering resources, housing support, and community activities that bring citizens together. From business owners who greet customers by name to philanthropic workers who volunteer time to build a better city, Lakewood’s culture is founded solidly on compassion, gratitude, and love.
As the city progresses and evolves, its core values remain the same. Lakewood is a town, not a location; it’s a community where love, kindness, and togetherness are not ideals but a way of life.
Our own LakewoodAlive board has made all the above possible and much more by creating a firm foundation upon which residents can build their lives. One of the many uses of LakewoodAlice is to construct a setting with community involvement.
They have created a program that engages life in our city, focusing on improving residents’ lives. Through door-knocking, one-on-one appointments, and connecting residents to resources, this resident-focused method of building community creates neighborhood pride in various ways.
The individual members of the board, including the Executive Director, Ian Andrews, and the Community Engagement Specialist, Mark McNamara, have done a phenomenal job of turning Lakewood into a bright and satisfactory community for residents.
Ian Andrews has been the CEO of Lakewoods community-centered nonprofit organization since 2011. He is the Executive Director of LakewoodAlive and is responsible for the direction and overall management of the organization.
His role is to make key budgets, organize fundraising, and create long-term planning decisions to ensure the nonprofit continues to serve and build the Lakewood community. Andrews’s leadership has been pivotal in shaping initiatives that reflect LakewoodAlive’s vision and mission, leaving a lasting impact on Lakewood residents and local small businesses.
“The residents here are committed to this community,” Andrews said. “They love it, they become involved, they’re outspoken, they advocate. They’re not complacent and they don’t just stand by. They want good things to happen because they love this city. That motivates me.”
Under the guidance of Andrews, LakewoodAlive’s Front Porch Concert Series has united the community for nearly a decade with free live music on the steps of the Lakewood Public Library each summer. Sponsored by Bentley Wealth Management of Raymond James, the popular tradition resumes June 28th with ten Fridays of diverse performances.
However, it’s a bit more than that; families and friends come together, dance, and shop locally in the series, donations made possible by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and Lakewood Public Library. It brings together public space as an aroma, bringing more community to Downtown Lakewood.
LakewoodAlive’s Community Engagement Specialist, Mark McNamara, plays a core role in growing the city’s close-knit status by working directly with residents to address their needs.
His work focuses on house-to-house interaction, person-to-person visits, and connecting individuals with resources to improve the quality of their time spent in Lakewood. It may be connecting a homeowner with housing assistance, guiding a resident to a job, or just listening to issues relevant to our city, but still, McNarama ensures that all of his residents feel heard and valued.
Along with personal outreach, McNamara organizes neighborhood events, workshops, and volunteer projects that unite people. By creating a bond between the residents, the business owners, and the city officials, he makes a community where everyone is heard and has an opportunity to acquire the necessary tools to prosper. His actions embody the essence of LakewoodAlive—fostering connections and fortifying the ties of the community interaction by interaction.
“Building a strong community is more than just handing out resources and planning activities, it’s about building trust,” McNamara said. “When people feel heard and appreciated, they feel good and love the community, that’s what makes Lakewood so great.”
With his never-ending efforts, McNamara ensures that Lakewood is a welcoming and hospitable city where everyone is empowered to participate, give back, and look after one another. His work, along with the vision of Ian Andrews and the rest of LakewoodAlive staff, continues to steer the community towards becoming a community where kindness and connectivity rule.
Long-time Lakewood resident John Elrod expressed his gratitude for LakewoodAlive’s efforts over the years.
“I’ve lived in Lakewood for over 30 years, and I’ve seen this community get better in countless ways,” Elrod said. “LakewoodAlive has brought us together, made everyone feel at home, and given us cause to be proud to call this place home. What they’ve done has turned neighbors into friends and streets into neighborhoods. It’s heartwarming.”
As we look at the invaluable treasures of LakewoodAlive, we can observe how their steadfast passion has shaped Lakewood’s culture into what it is today. From the leadership of Ian Andrews and the giving efforts of Mark McNamara to the residents who play a huge role in our community, Lakewood thrives through kindness, participation, and a commitment to one another, which the LakewoodAlive board proves, along with residents.
