Women’s Leadership Council awards over $28K in grants

The United Way of Lake County’s Women’s Leadership Council recently awarded grants totaling $28,048.

The amount awarded during its annual awards ceremony at the United Way’s office in Mentor represents a 50 percent increase over the $18,642 awarded last year.

The Women’s Leadership Council raises donations throughout the year to support the grant funding program through membership fees, speaker engagements and their annual Women’s Winterfest and Holiday Food Tasting Fundraiser in December.

“We’ve been working hard to raise funds to uplift and empower women and girls in Lake County,” said Women’s Leadership Council president Amber Thomas, who’s also chief clinical officer of Crossroads.

“The increase is due, in large part, to the recordbreaking funds raised during last year’s fundraiser. The event continues to grow year after year as word gets out about its popularity.”

This is the fourth funding cycle since the Women’s Leadership Council was reestablished in 2013, according to a news release. Since then, it has awarded grants totaling $85,199, a sum which includes the newly distributed funds.

Grant applications for programs that support Lake County women and girls in need were accepted from February through midApril from parties whose missions align similarly with the Women’s Leadership Council. Its mission is to positively impact the lives of women and girls through the philanthropic efforts of advocating, educating, giving and volunteering, the release stated.

Women’s Leadership Council panel volunteers reviewed 17 grant submissions, and conducted onsite visits, while considering organizations that would make the greatest impact.

Phyllis Wilcox, chair of the Women’s Leadership Council’s Grants Committee, awarded this year’s funds.

“It’s been an honor and a pleasure to have served in this role,” she said. “My eyes have really been opened to the need that exists in our community.”

The following agencies were awarded funds:

• Lake County Community Network: $5,000

Funding provided for emergency assistance for women in need of monetary assistance with rent and utilities.

• Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers: $4,000

Funding provided to help furnish their new Women’s Recovery House.

• Project Hope for the Homeless: $3,011

Funding provided to cover 77 nights of shelter and care for women and girls.

• Fine Arts Association: $3,000

Funding provided to help with Girl Power Scholarships for low-income families of girls.

• The Salvation Army: $2,500

Funding provided in support of their S.S. Kids Project. • Crossroads: $2,400 Funding provided for Crossroads Girls on the Run program.

• Lake County Juvenile Court: $2,360

Funding provided in support of their New Voices for Girls program which works to address low selfesteem in young women involved in the juvenile justice system. The program focuses on teaching girls to use their voices to speak for themselves and to recognize that they can make positive choices in their lives.

• Lake County Educational Service Center: $1,500

Funding provided to cover scholarships for six girls to attend their Service & Leadership Engagement program.

• Painesville Community Theater: $1,500

Funding provided to cover approximately 8 theater camp scholarships for girls.

• Hospice of the Western Reserve: $1,200

Funding provided for girls to attend their children’s bereavement program at Red Oak Camp this summer. • Hannah’s Home: $870 Funding provided for First Step Kits for mothers in their Maternity Program who are planning to transition into independent living.

• Western Reserve Community Development: $706

Funds to help support their “Create a Healthy and Balanced You” program for women in the New Directions for living program.

Accepting the $5,000 grant, Melina Gilbert, director of the Lake County Community Network, said,

“Sometimes the best way to empower women is to make sure their basic needs are met. Thank you for helping us accomplish this.”

“We’ve been working hard to raise funds to uplift and empower women and girls in Lake County.”