Wolstein’s HOPE: Healthy Outcomes, Positive Energy

Founder

Iris S. Wolstein, pictured with her late husband, Bert L. Wolstein

The Iris S. and Bert L Wolstein’s HOPE: healthy outcomes, positive energy program, funded through a $1 million endowment established by Iris S. Wolstein in memory of her late husband Bert “Bart” Wolstein, restores the vitality of childhood for young cancer survivors. The program encourages healthy lifestyles, promotes activity and teaches athletic skills. Wolstein’s HOPE programs – soccer, swimming, golf, basketball, bowling, cooking and other events – above all help kids be kids. In 2003, prior to Bart’s death, the couple donated $25 million to UH and Case Western Reserve University, lending their name to the Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein Research Building. Iris organizes the annual Bertram L. Wolstein Legacy Golf Tournament that attracts hundreds of friends and supporters and benefits the research center. The nine tournaments have thus far raised more than $1.2 million for pediatric cancer research.

Staff

Michele Rothstein

Michele Rothstein

Michele Rothstein is the program coordinator of Iris S. & Bert L. Wolstein’s HOPE: healthy outcomes, positive energy. She is responsible for planning and coordinating all activities for patients and their families. A graduate of Skidmore College, she always thought she would be a doctor until she experienced the joy of working with youth in a recreation setting. A local Clevelander, she has over 20 years of experience working with youth from a variety of backgrounds. Michele has a master’s of Nonprofit Administration. She is passionate about supporting patients and families with medical needs through creative and engaging programs. She especially loves programs that build community. Whether we are cooking together on Zoom or having fun together in person, Michele looks forward to working with and seeing you soon!

Abigail Ernst

Abigail Ernst is the Community Outreach Advocate for Wolstein’s HOPE: Healthy Outcomes, Positive Energy. Abby appreciates the ability to bring families together while encouraging an active lifestyle, utilizing knowledge gained from her degrees from Ohio University in Exercise Physiology and Dance. She loves bringing programs to life and enjoys seeing the smiles and laughter on everyone’s faces at HOPE events as families try new activities or get to share their favorite activities with others. Abby has been an advocate for inclusion and accessibility from a very young age and is grateful to continue her work in this role. During her free time, Abby enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, Dash! She is excited to be back in northeast Ohio and hopes to see you at a HOPE program in the near future!

Advisory Committee

Paul All

Paul All, originally from Savannah, Georgia, has been living in Cleveland since 2013. Starting his tenure as a Clevelander, Paul attended Cleveland State University (CSU) where he immediately involved himself with Cleveland and the surrounding community’s volunteering opportunities. His time in college serving on the Board of Trustees for CSU along with his post-graduation job at The Cleveland Foundation supported his new found passion for Cleveland nonprofits.

Paul has been a licensed real estate agent serving all of Northeast Ohio since 2019. His involvement with HOPE began from another passionate member speaking about its mission and purpose. Since then, through volunteer efforts and time on the advisory committee, he encourages people to donate their time and effort getting to know the programs to support its growth and exposure. This truly is an extraordinary group that brings so much joy to families.

Alissa Kiktavy

Alissa is an Associate Vice President at Falls & Company, a Marketing, Communications and Digital firm located in downtown Cleveland. She received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University.

After her work at Falls is done for the day, Alissa is a Pilates instructor. She is honored to be a part of the Healthy Outcomes, Positive Energy program that brings joy and enriches the lives of children (and their families) with cancer. Her favorite HOPE memories include a “Day at Cuyahoga Valley National Park” and “Night at the Monsters” events.

Allison Urban

Allison Urban, Cleveland native and enthusiastic educator, is the Chief Development Officer at CORUS 45 along with instructing dance throughout northeast Ohio. She studied at the University of Akron, University of Pennsylvania and most recently, Cleveland State University. She has always been passionate about providing endless opportunities to children that will be impactful and memorable.

This is Allison’s first year with HOPE and is honored and beyond excited to start her journey. She looks forward to assisting in future programming and events.

Nicholas Froning

Nicholas (Nick) Froning is a Cleveland transplant from Fargo, North Dakota (yes, just like the movie). When he is not practicing law, he engages the greater Cleveland Community through his involvement in a number of non-profit entities.

Nick devotes a significant amount of his philanthropic time and efforts to HOPE, finding his passion for this organization through his time as a member of the Associate Board for Rainbow Babies and Children’s Foundation.

If you are reading through our profiles, please consider making a donation to HOPE and assisting in the growth of programming for all of our participants throughout healthcare systems.