HISTORY

Late 1990’s
Introduction
Let's Starts At The Beginning

It was in the late 1990’s when Reverend Iris Lynn Bailey started knocking on the doors of homeless shelters and residential facilities on Cleveland’s East Side where women were in recovery for substance abuse issues or just in need of a safe place to stay. She found them through her church connections. Back in those days, it was a lot easier to volunteer. She offered “Family Fun Nights” to those agencies. At her own expense she would bring activities and games for young mothers and their children. “I have always felt it was my calling to work with young women and mothers who often had little parenting skills, but a strong desire to improve their lives.” “My own parents always reminded me that ‘to whom much is given, much is sometimes expected’.

I came from a family whose Job One was community service.”

Beginning of Pipeline To God Communications, Inc.
The Journey
To my surprise...

That was the beginning of Pipeline To God Communications, Inc., although, it didn’t have a name yet. However, Reverend Iris continued to volunteer throughout the Cleveland area as she worked her way through Seminary. “It was difficult at times. I had two full time jobs, and I was still involved in ministry. I used one job to help pay for my education. I would work long enough to accumulate enough money to pay for a course at Ashland Theological Seminary. I would take the course and then start saving all over again.” It took seven years for Iris to complete her coursework. “To my surprise, I ended up with two master’s degrees. My M-Div. and I didn’t realize I had enough hours to complete my second master’s in clinical counseling. It has always been my desire to serve those are often under-identified and underserved. Pipeline – as an agency - really began to “take shape” during a class in Ashland. The assignment was to identify what path you wanted to follow after graduating. I started writing about creating a larger ministry that I called “Pipeline To God.” It would focus on children and young families and even our more seasoned individuals who have difficulty with life’s challenges.

2004
The Journey
The Messenger

In our early years, Pipeline’s newsletter, “The Messenger” was filled with hope. Our clothing giveaway was called “Marge’s Mall.” Through churches, we offered clothing to those in need. We had a prison (re-entry) ministry for women and teens who were locally incarcerated and trying to adjust to returning to their homes. “I remember going downtown (Cleveland) and meeting with women who made poor choices, but who were desperately trying to find a better road to travel when they were released. I think they were of more service to me, than I was to them.”

For several years, Pipeline was honored to partner with the City Mission during the holiday season. They provided the venue and Pipeline used our community resources to cater a Holiday party for 150 children living in that area and their caregivers. To top-off the weekend, Pipeline hosted “Ladies Day at the Spa” for teens Moms and women of all ages. Hair stylists from Northeast Ohio came together and offered, facials, and nail and haircare treatments to families in shelters and temporary living situations on Cleveland’s East side.

We worked in 2004 to Incorporate Pipeline To God Communications, Inc. as a non-profit, public charity corporation, anticipating that would enable us to offer more comprehensive community-based services. A few years after that, the logical step was to become licensed by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as a Community Mental Health Agency.

For Many Years...
The Journey
The Right Location

“For many years Pipeline’s office was in my home. That was probably not the wisest choice to make. Pipeline moved it office to several churches, however, space was always limited. Then there was a “virtual office.” However, Pipeline outgrew that in a matter of months.
I recall hiring the services of a commercial real estate agent who found office space on Chagrin Blvd in Beachwood. I remember having my calculator in one hand, trying to determine how many clients would I have to see in order to be able to make enough money to pay my rent.

Taking that space was one of the best decisions Pipeline made. As a Community Mental Health Agency, Pipeline has always remained focused on the needs of
the community. Early Childhood Mental Health and the families impacted by our very young children are the heart of what we do. It is how we started in our early years of volunteering.

We believe that if change can begin in families with our very young children, we will feel a
“ripple effect” as we work with our older populations. It is never too late to start. And it is never too late to continue.

2023
We Are Here
“Pipelines”

Pipeline values its grass-roots connections with the community, churches and houses of worship, the legal system, county child-support agencies and with the medical community. We partner with organizations that enable Pipeline to offer a continuity of care that supports
sustainable change in our clients.

Pipeline is a faith-based organization. However, Pipeline is not religious in its approach or in its support of our clients. That means that Pipeline honors and respects each individual and all belief systems. We believe there are many “Pipelines” that lead our clients toward finding their own sources of power that help them not only survive – but learn to thrive through their challenges .

As the agency grows, we embrace diversity, and value Equity and Inclusion in our staff and in the individuals we service.