2024 Capstones
View the Class of 2024 Cleveland Freedom Project's Capstone Projects below. Click the photo to view the full capstone.
Intimate Partner Abuse
By Eliyah Fail and Talicia Fail
Domestic Violence is the abusive behavior between partners in a relationship. The abuse can vary from physical to emotional, often in these types of relationships partners feel the need to undermine and degrade another in order to gain power and have control in the relationship.
In the United States nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 and 9 men experience physical, emotional or psychological abuse.
Shattered Families
By Muhammed Al-Amin Jr. , Chanse Henderson
Instances of broken homes, disbanded families, and/or parental failure can have negative impacts on the lives of young people. In most cases of estrangement, it is the youth who chooses to break away. However, it's worth noting that 27% of Americans are currently estranged from at least one family member.
Violent Crimes in Cleveland
By Marrell Robinson and Derrick McGlothin
Violent crime occurs when someone is harmed or threatened with violence. It includes four main offenses: murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The impact of violent crimes extends beyond physical harm, as victims often endure psychological trauma that can affect them for the rest of their lives.
The Reality of Teen Pregnancy
By Ta'Rissa Priest and Carveonah Fomby
Teen pregnancy is a significant and growing issue in American society, affecting many states, including Ohio. Ohio is ranked 20th among all states in terms of teen pregnancy, with a rate of 13.9. This problem emerged in the early 1950s when young women were experiencing both wanted and unwanted pregnancies.
The Reality of Sex Trafficking
By Ja'Sha Bouie and Giani Williams
Human trafficking is known as modern-day slavery due to the exploitation of women and children by way of force, fraud, or manipulation. It's a form of forced labor for one's personal gain or sexual pleasure, Oftentimes those who are captured are used for their bodies in sex trafficking rings.
Women and children are sexually exploited at a higher rate than any other group. 7 in 10 human trafficking victims are women and young girls. .
Self Harm
By Javonte Burley and Brian Mack
Self-harm, also known as self-injury, involves inflicting harm on oneself, often as a way to deal with emotional distress, intense feelings, and anxiety. Self-harm is usually a cry for help before ending one's own life so it is very important to watch out for the signs.
Racial Discrimination
By: Nihoni Nitsche and Zarmelia Campell
Racial Discrimination is any discrimination against an individual based on race, ancestry, ethnicity, and or skin color. Equal employment opportunities cannot be denied because of marriage or association with an individual of a different race, membership in or association with ethnic-based organizations or groups. People who experience racial discrimination often end up having traumatizing experiences because they are being treated differently from other people.
Poor Nutrition
By Caleb Brown and Heaven Brooks
Nutrition is important for health and development. It is important because it provides energy. When a person doesn't eat, they become weaker. Poor nutrition is also a leading cause of illness in the United States, associated with more than half a million deaths per year. If a person's diet does not provide enough nutrients, or if it provides too much, it can lead to an imbalance in the intake of energy, protein, and other nutrients, causing measurable adverse effects on the body.
Police Brutality
By Marlin Alexxander and Darnell Stewart
Minorities and other vulnerable groups are too often targeted by acts of police brutality. The killings of Michael Brown, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor, among many other unarmed Black men and women, have placed police violence at the center of the national conversation. This heightened awareness of wrongful police killings of civilians also exposed a disturbing deficit in the federal government’s collection of policing data.
Adolescent Mental Health
By Pleasant Collier and Jaylah Smith
One in six U.S. youth ages 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year and half of all mental health. Conditions began by the age of 14. In these formative years, it is extremely important for children to understand the importance of emotional intelligence and mental health being a part of school’s everyday curriculum.
Firearm Violence
By Di'Aera Bradley and Laniya Burton
Gun violence is the use of a firearm in an improper/violent manner. Also, being assaulted with a deadly weapon. In the state of Ohio, the gun death rate is 12.4 deaths per 100,000 people.
In Ohio, it is known that the state fails to do background checks on guns with sales also lacking protection when it comes to victims of domestic violence and violent hate crimes.
Drug Abuse
By Adon Hall and Raymel Patterson
According to the Cleveland Division of Police, drug abuse continues to be a significant issue in the City of Cleveland, with opioids, heroin and fentanyl being the primary substances of cancer.
Child Abuse
By Devyn Edmond and Laiana Hunter
Child Neglect is defined as the failure of a parent or guardian to provide needed food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision to the degree that the child's health, safety, and well-being are threatened with harm. Children who are neglected have a 43% higher risk of dying early. It is of the utmost importance that children feel safe and have the proper resources they need not only to survive but to thrive in the world today.