US Together Restructuring Announcement
US Together has made a number of difficult program and staffing decisions in response to significant changes in the funding environment. As a result, we are restructuring our operations to strengthen the organization's long-term sustainability and focus our resources on services and programs we can responsibly maintain.
As part of this restructuring, US Together is permanently closing its Toledo office and concluding programs operated from that location. Our physical Cleveland office will also close, while services in Cleveland are being suspended and restructured. The changes in each community are different, and we are committed to communicating clearly with our clients, partners, staff, contractors, and communities about what is changing and what will continue.
Our Columbus headquarters remains open, and US Together will continue to provide programs and services from Columbus. Interpretation & Translation Services will continue in Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, and surrounding communities.
US Together will continue its Welcoming work focused on building infrastructure around belonging in Franklin County, while remaining engaged in statewide partnerships and initiatives focused on economic integration.
Our mission remains unchanged. We will continue working to strengthen communities through the programs, services, partnerships, and initiatives that US Together can responsibly and sustainably maintain.
Toledo Office Closure
After 13 years of serving Toledo and Northwest Ohio, US Together has made the difficult decision to permanently close our Toledo office and conclude the programs operated from this location.
US Together began operations in Toledo in 2013. Refugee resettlement was an important part of our early work, and the Toledo office ultimately helped 300 refugees resettle in Northwest Ohio. For a significant period, US Together operated the only refugee resettlement program in the region.
As the needs of the community evolved, so did our work. The Toledo team developed and provided intensive case management, healthcare navigation, English-language and employment support, youth and family programming, Women's Empowerment, citizenship assistance, volunteer and mentoring programs, and other community-based services.
One of those efforts, the three-year Ethnic Community Self-Help program, provided intensive case management to 200 clients while also supporting youth and families, strengthening access to healthcare and community resources, and developing the Women's Empowerment program. That work helped women build confidence, leadership and public-speaking skills and culminated in the 2024 “She Makes a Difference” conference, where women from the program shared their own experiences and leadership with the community.
That community-based work continued to evolve. In 2024, 97 people participated in Family Strengthening programming, combining English-language learning with opportunities to strengthen family relationships and connections to community resources. More recently, 27 clients received Peer Support services.
We are proud not only of the programs and services provided over these 13 years, but also of the community relationships that made this work possible. Our Toledo staff worked alongside schools, healthcare providers, universities, employers, faith communities, volunteers, and many other community partners. The Toledo office also developed a strong volunteer network that supported families through transportation, English and citizenship classes, youth tutoring, summer activities, and other needs.
We are deeply grateful to our Toledo staff, volunteers, partners, funders, and especially the individuals and families who trusted US Together during these years.
Although the physical Toledo office and its programs are closing, US Together's Interpretation & Translation Services will continue serving Toledo and Northwest Ohio.
Cleveland - Suspension and Restructuring of Services
US Together opened its Cleveland office in 2008. Over nearly two decades, our work in Northeast Ohio has evolved significantly as the needs of the communities we serve and the funding environment have changed.
Refugee resettlement was an important part of our early work in Cleveland. Before US Together concluded refugee resettlement in 2023, our Cleveland office resettled 2,065 refugees, Special Immigrant Visa holders, and Afghan parolees.
Following the arrival of Afghan families through Operation Allies Welcome, US Together expanded its economic integration work through the three-year Afghan Refugee Career Pathways Program. The program served 216 Afghan refugees, providing individualized career planning, job readiness and placement, English-language support, credential and certification assistance, financial navigation, interpretation, coaching, and other supports.
Participants pursued career pathways in transportation, medical and human services, and skilled trades. Seventy-four participants enrolled in degree or certification programs, 40 obtained new credentials or recognition of existing credentials, and 75 obtained employment in professional or skilled career fields. Those obtaining skilled or professional employment earned an average of $25.97 per hour.
Our Cleveland work also evolved to include mental health and Peer Support services. In 2026, 30 people received Peer Support services through the Cleveland program.
Immigration Services have been another important part of our work in Cleveland. Since we began providing and tracking these services, 1,947 people in Cuyahoga County have received Immigration Services through US Together.
What Is Changing
As part of US Together's broader restructuring in response to significant changes in funding, we are closing our current physical Cleveland office.
Our Cleveland mental health and Peer Support services are ending, and we are suspending new immigration services in Cleveland at this time. Existing immigration clients will continue to be served through our Columbus office.
What Will Continue
Interpretation & Translation Services will continue serving Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. The closure of our current physical Cleveland office does not end these services.
US Together will also remain engaged in statewide partnerships and initiatives focused on economic integration.
We are deeply grateful to the staff, clients, volunteers, interpreters, community partners, funders, employers, training providers, and others who have contributed to US Together's work in Cleveland over nearly two decades. The programs may have changed over the years, but the relationships and accomplishments built through this work remain an important part of US Together's history and our continuing mission.