We’re Jennie and Jonathan Kaffen, the co-founders and operators of Cleveland Clearouts.
Lifelong Clevelanders, we know the area well, and value every opportunity we get to contribute to the well-being of the Greater Cleveland community. As such, we bring a service mindset to every customer interaction, especially when working with families during estate transitions. We’re known for building trust through clear communication and respectful handling of personal property.
Our mission is to operate Cleveland Clearouts not just as a business, but also as a community resource — helping people during vulnerable moments and improving property conditions across the region.
About Jennie
I love helping people solve problems and connecting them to resources they need. Professionally, I have been teaching English as a Second Language for over 20 years, and love meeting people from around the world and being part of their language learning process. I’m also the volunteer coordinator for a small agency that helps newcomers with all kinds of needs as they settle in the Cleveland area. In that role, I often am called upon to connect furniture donors with recipients, and help folks clear out apartments and move to new ones.
Besides doing yoga, reading, and walking our dogs, I absolutely love estate sales, and learning as much as possible about each piece I’m interested in. I’m proud to say that nearly every stick of furniture in our home is either from family or purchased at estate sales. When it’s time to replace items in our home, I take great care to find the right next place for them, usually through donations. I feel strongly that we need to reduce reuse and recycle as much as possible.
Connecting people with the things they need brings me both joy and a solid understanding of how the market for second-hand belongings works. Through this work, I’ve gleaned valuable advice and connections with professionals in the resale community, and with other charities. I am thrilled to able to be able to apply that experience in service of your needs as Cleveland Clearouts clients.
About Jonathan
I’m excited to bring both my professional project management acumen and my passion for home repair and revitalization to the table for our customers. Estate clearing and property staging can be complex! Having the practical knowledge in logistics, the hands-on home and property expertise, and the desire to make a difference helps me guide families through these difficult transitions with integrity and professionalism.
Much like Jennie, I’m driven by ways to embody the leadership, empathy and respect that supports and improves our community. I’m an active volunteer with Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s Trees for CLE program and Habitat for Humanity, contributing to tree planting and home repair efforts that strengthen Cleveland neighborhoods.
Professionally, as a strategic IT consultant to public sector and nonprofit clients like Cleveland Public Library, Positive Education Program (PEP), and the City of Cleveland, I’ve directed projects advancing initiatives in behavioral health, youth services, and housing support. It has been especially gratifying to witness the positive community impact that my ability to balance technical implementation with mission-driven outcomes has effected.
Together, we lead Cleveland Clearouts with empathy, professionalism, and attention to detail — reliably delivering estate clearing services that honor each customer’s circumstances and belongings.