County support of nonprofits good to see

Lorain County commissioners deserve credit for awarding $200,000 in grants to nine nonprofits still feeling the financial pinch from the coronavirus pandemic.

The commissioners are providing additional finances to agencies that feed the hungry and offer support services for underserved residents in the community.

Commissioners Matt Lundy and Michelle Hung approved the funding Aug. 3 for the organizations with money coming from funds the county received through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Commissioner Dave Moore missed the meeting due to illness.

The commissioners announced earlier this year they would dole out $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds through grants for nonprofits and another $1.5 million through grants to forprofit businesses.

In recent weeks, the commissioners have sorted through applications to see what groups would receive the money.

The response for funding was so strong that the commissioners decided to limit grants to a maximum of $25,000.

The funds will serve as a possible lifeline for some of the organizations that help people who need it the most.

Lundy acknowledged that the overwhelming response for grants was higher than they budgeted for.

The need is there, and the commissioners are stepping up to assist.

The nonprofits will use the grants to pay for items like boxes to package fresh food, school supplies, clothing, food and programming.

Great Expectations Ministries of Lorain will receive a $25,000 grant for educational and social services affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marilyn Parker-Jeffries, president of Great Expectations, which is located in a small church near a large cluster of housing projects in Lorain, said the program offers free music instruction for children ages 8 through 18.

Great Expectations provide instruction in drums, piano and vocals and looks to expand into violin and trumpet.

The program also offers a life skills component to help participants deal with anxiety and stress.

Students attending Oberlin Conservatory of Music serve as instructors in the program.

The program, going into its seventh year, currently serves 20 children but plans to increase that number to 35.

The funding also will make it possible for Great Expectations to move out of the church and to the community where it can serve more youngsters.

Another deserving nonprofit is Pathways Enrichment Center, located in Lorain, which is dedicated to enriching children, families and individuals by nurturing their potential through tutoring, mentoring, education and counseling.

Pathways Enrichment Center received $10,000.

The nonprofit was started in 1995 by the Rev. Norva Ross, who is pastor of Full Gospel Ministries.

It is the vision of Ross and the Pathways Enrichment Center to enrich residents through services designed to help them work toward being the best that they can be within their own personal possibilities.

Pathways Enrichment Center also developed highly effective mentoring and youth tutorial outreach programs in November 2000.

Another recipient is City Fresh, which creates and promotes a healthy, vibrant and equitable local foods system.

City Fresh, based in Oberlin, received $25,000.

The program runs through the summer and offers fresh, locally grown produce to community members at a discounted price.

From every $1 spent at a typical grocery store, only 5 to 15 cents actually is paid to farmers, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

City Fresh pays 81 cents of every shareholder dollar to farmers in the alliance.

City Fresh has partnered with Community Foundation of Lorain County, Lorain Public Library System, Lorain County Public Health, The Nord Family Foundation and Oberlin College to distribute fresh produce.

Other grant recipients were: Oberlin Weekday Community Meals, $25,000; Beyond the Walls Church, Elyria, $25,000; Faith Ministries Christian Center, Lorain, $25,000; Second Baptist Church, AdoptA-School Initiative, Elyria, $15,000; Church on the North Coast, Lorain, $25,000; and Episcopal Church of Redeemer/Solidarity Urban Farms, Lorain, $25,000.

However, the funds do come with some stipulations.

The recipients could be audited and they must keep accurate accounting records of how they spent the funds.

Lorain County Assistant Prosecutor Dan Petticord indicated that because the grants are coming from government funds, audits are not unusual.

The grants that the commissioners awarded the nonprofits will allow them to keep doing their jobs, which is helping those in need.