Foundation awards more than $1M in grants

Senior program officer retires

The Community Foundation of Lorain County Board of Directors announced Dec. 20 more than $1 million in grant awards to 44 nonprofit organizations serving Lorain County.

The funds will support grants focused on the four program areas: Arts and Culture; Education and Youth Development; Health and Human Services; and Strengthening Lorain County, according to a news release.

One of the Education and Youth Development grantees is Save Our Children (SOC), a nonprofit empowering the children and youth in Elyria for over 30 years, the release said.

Save Our Children is a literacy-first program working to improve the academic outcomes of students while strengthening their engagement in the learning process.

“We strive to create meaningful relationships, provide a safe environment and create motivating lessons designed to create joyful and committed learners,” says Chase Farris, executive director of Save Our Children. “While our programming focuses extensively on giving students the tools to improve their academic achievement and ultimately obtain a high school diploma, our organization also recognizes the importance of supporting and teaching the whole child.

“Our students are given opportunities to grow in three additional areas by cultivating strong social/ emotional skills, preparing for college and work, and increasing their awareness and commitment to practicing safe and healthy behaviors. We are grateful to the Community Foundation for the support not only for (Save Our Children), but for the youth in our community.”

Retirement

This particular cycle is memorable as it marks the final cycle led by Senior Program Officer Linda Styer.

“I have had the pleasure of working closely with Linda Styer for the past four years as a member and chairperson of the Community Foundation’s Grants Committee,” says Maria

Grega, chair of the Grants Committee at the Community Foundation. “Linda’s willingness to share her knowledge and expertise has taught everyone that she comes in contact with how to be more compassionate and engaged in their community.

“This is bittersweet in that I am thrilled that she is changing paths, but I will miss her and will always call her my friend.”

Over the years, Styer has steadfastly embodied the mission of the Community Foundation, connecting people who care with causes that matter, the release said.

“I am grateful for the staff and volunteers of our many nonprofit organizations, whose dedication and contributions have made Lorain County a better place,” Styer said. “Every day, you save lives and shape our future.

“I am indebted to our donors for their immense generosity and their faith in the Community Foundation and our grantees. Because of you, all things are possible! Thank you.”

2021 Community Grant Cycle Awards:

Arts and Culture

North Pointe Ballet,

$20,000

Elyria Arts Council,

$34,500

Lorain County Historical Society, $25,000

Firelands Association for the Visual Arts, $10,000

Oberlin Choristers, $10,000

Credo, $9,000 Dancing Classrooms Northeast Ohio, $3,000

Great Expectations Music Project, $6,000

Education and Youth Development

Achievement through Community Education and Support (ACES), $50,000

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County, $50,000

Save Our Children, $50,000

National Inventors Hall of Fame Inc., $49,900

Effective Leadership Academy, $25,000

TECH CORPS Ohio, $25,000

Youth Challenge, $22,000 RePlay for Kids, $16,639 Leaders of Today, $19,988 Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, $15,000 Scholastic Games, $6,500 Girls on the Run of

Greater Summit, $5,000 CBz Buddies, $1,000

Health and Human Services

The Road To Hope Inc., $50,000

Mercy Health Foundation Lorain, $55,855 Blessing House, $75,000 El Centro de Servicios Sociales Inc., $60,000

The Salvation Army, $37,000

Lorain County Office on Aging Inc., $36,360

Humility of Mary Housing, $35,000

United Way of Greater Lorain County, $8,500

New Agrarian Center, $25,000

Flat Rock Childrens Home of the United Methodist Church, $20,000

Ideastream Public Media (Ideastream), $5,000

Lorain County LGBTQ+ and Allies Taskforce, $15,000

National Society to Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate, $15,000

North Ridgeville Community Care, $10,000

Echoing Hills Village Inc., $9,851

Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services, $5,000

Lorain County Metro Parks, $4,000

Strengthening Lorain County

Passages Connecting Fathers and Families, $60,000

Friendship Animal Protective League, $20,000

Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, $27,930

LIFE a Dementia Friendly Foundation, $17,720

If you would like to share a memory, send a kind word or make a donation in honor of Styer, or if you would like to make an endof-year gift, email communications@peoplewhocare. org or give us a call at 440984-7390, the release said.

In 2020, the Community Foundation of Lorain County received more than $6.1 million in gifts and distributed approximately $6.2 million in grants and scholarships, according to the release.

It ended the year with assets of $165 million, the release said.

For more information about grants, scholarships or updates about the Community Foundation, visit peoplewhocare.org.