from Cleveland.com: Lorain County foundation awards $1 million to local non-profits

Written by Linda Gandee for Cleveland.com on 07/26/2021

LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio -- The Community Foundation of Lorain County awarded $1 million during July to 36 non-profits, according to its board of directors in a recent press release.

The grants were divided into four areas -- health and human services, education and youth development, strengthening the community, and art and culture.

The grants were given to support “post-pandemic” challenges, according to Maria Grega, chair of the foundation’s grants committee.

“This round of grants speaks to the pillars of the Community Foundation of Lorain County,” Grega noted in the press release, “and the incredible mission-driven work of Lorain County non-profits, and (we) were especially impressed about the essential health and human service programs available throughout the county.

“We look forward to seeing the outcomes of these community grants. This money will provide much-needed support to continue to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our community.”

As an example of the work being done in Lorain County, Grega focused on “Let’s Get Real.” It is a non-profit providing peer support for people struggling with alcohol and opiate addiction.

In Lorain County, when Mercy Lorain, Mercy Allen, Cleveland Clinic Avon and University Hospital have patients experiencing an overdose or other drug-related emergency, the hospitals call Let’s Get Real to provide a “warm hand-off” before discharging patients, said Grega.

Let’s Get Real then usually helps them enter a treatment program.

Kim Eberle, executive director at Let’s Get Real, expressed the organization’s gratitude for its $30,000 grant.

“We are incredibly grateful for the $30k grant approval,” Eberle said. “These monies should enable us to serve by increasing outreach, transport services and engagement length, which will increase overall services and removal of barriers for those struggling with addiction.”

Eberle went on to explain that it is usually family that is expected to navigate the addict through county systems to obtain help.

“These monies will benefit the greater community by relieving the families of that obligation and connecting and utilizing existing social services in Lorain County. Additionally, we can lessen the strain on the community by initiating services quickly and working with each client over a longer period,” Grega said.

“We are grateful for the generosity, and elated with the opportunity to serve others.”