As I share late-winter greetings, I was contemplating the ways we celebrate county progress and successes in February here in Lorain County. One way we celebrate is to come together with our friends at Leadership Lorain and honor this year’s Difference Makers. We celebrate both the heritage of the county, remembering visionaries from the past while recognizing current leaders and their accomplishments. On the 22nd, over 300 people attended the Difference Makers gala celebrating those individuals and organizations that make a difference every day in Lorain County. Congratulations to all of the attendees and award winners this year, as well as to those from years past.
When applying, make sure to have your official transcript, student aid report (FAFSA), one or more recommendation letters and a personal statement. All Lorain County residents are eligible. Please share this information with others.
Community Foundation of Lorain County is hosting its first-ever Connect to a Cause Day, a crowdfunding campaign, in celebration of our 40th anniversary of service to this community. Through the creation of a Caring Catalog, donors can ‘shop’ the catalog and support local nonprofits by giving to their endowment funds. Endowment giving is the perfect way to help participating agencies plan for their future and make sure that Lorain County continues to be a great place to live and work—forever.
For more information or how to participate, please contact Susan Poole, Development Officer at 440.984.7390 or spoole@peoplewhocare.org
Meet Our Fellows
We welcome our two new fellows to the Community Foundation.
Melissa "Missy" Timko is our data fellow who will be helping us to take an in-depth look at data associated with Community Foundation projects, seeking to create a more connected and responsive community, improve civic digital engagement, and support digital literacy and skills development and assist with other projects specifically targeting community digital equity and inclusion.
Assata Imani Cheers is our community engagement fellow who will be leading our Ohio Neighborhood Engagement (ONE) Lorain County Initiative. ONE Lorain County is a proactive grant initiative building stronger communities by fostering connections between neighbors to connect with one another, build trust, share information, and create opportunities for collective action, creating safer and healthier neighborhoods.
The African American Community Fund, an Affiliate Fund of the Community Foundation of Lorain County, announced that it awarded $11,500 in grants. Seven grants were awarded that provide support for the African American community in Lorain County.
Congratulations to the following:
Camp IDEAS
Church of the Open Door, Inc.
Great Expectation Ministries
Lorain County Urban League
Our F.A.M.I.L.Y.
Salvation Army
Start W/Art
Please save the date for our upcoming non-profit seminar:
May 21st Strategic Planning
August 13th Brand Awareness November 12th Legal
For more information email communications@peoplewhocare.org
SHEroes Event
April 23, 2020
6:00pm-8:00pm
Join the Women's Fund for a night of networking with fellow SHEroes. Learn about the Women’s Fund and programs that lift up women and children in Lorain County. Celebrate the SHEroes in YOUR life (teachers, coaches, mentors, relatives, friends) by purchasing unique cards for them. Raffle baskets, too! (Proceeds from card sales and raffles benefit Women’s Fund).Hearty appetizers included with your FREE admission and cash bar available. This is a free event, but please register by April 17.
For questions, please contact Susan Poole at 440.984.7390.
Recap
Toni Morrison Day
A special thank you to all of our community for coming together and celebrating the life and legacy of Toni Morrison. Our 2020 Lorain County Toni Morrison Essay Contest for Young People winners will be announced next week.
For more pictures of Toni Morrison day go to our facebook page.
Black History Trivia
Thank you to everyone who came out and supported Black History Trivia. A special congratulations to the Mississippi Mudcats who won first place!
Power of Endowment
The President of the African American Community Fund, Regan Phillips, addresses the crowd at the 34th annual Elyria Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community-Wide Celebration titled "Living the Dream". This event included singing by the Martin Luther King Jr. Reunion Mass Choir, thoughts from Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield and superintendent Ann Schloss and a video showcasing Dr. LaTauyna Conley's legacy with the MLK Day Commission. Dr. Conley is a former board chair of the African American Community Fund and member for over 17 years.
Volunteering at St. Elizabeth Shelter
On Friday, February 21st a subset of our staff and board spent the morning volunteering at Catholic Charities' St. Elizabeth Center. The staff and board prepped the kitchen, cooked a meal and served 65 residents. The St. Elizabeth Center will house a 50-bed men’s shelter, congregate hot meal program, a choice pantry, Community Connections, and case management services. St. Elizabeth Center is always looking for volunteers to help Mrs. Denise serve the community or for the following items to be donated:
Baby formula
Bar soap
Body lotion
Body wash
Cough drops
Deodorant for Women
Kleenex
Razors
Toilet tissue
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Hot cocoa
Creamer
Dryer sheets
For more information on how to donate or volunteer contact Barbara Reichlin at 440.242.0056 or breichlin@ccdocle.org
Lakeland Mini Grant Increase to $500
With the success of the Lakeland mini-grant, the Community Foundation of Lorain County will be increasing the award amount up to $500 starting in January 2020. “This increase will help provide more support through a simple, responsive grant process that reduces barriers to non-profits in Lorain County. We look forward to seeding future opportunities with local partners just like Lakeland Community Foundation and working together in support of this great community we call home,” said Cynthia H. Andrews, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Lorain County.
We work tirelessly with our donors, our partners, and friends to make Lorain County the best and strongest it can be. Endowment built by you, our community, makes all of this possible. The Community Foundation wisely invests the assets of its endowment and a percentage of those earnings provide sustainable support through grants and scholarships for our community.
Connecting People Who Care
With Causes That Matter
Do you know someone who would like a paper copy of our newsletter? If so, please email communicatins@peoplewhocare.org or call 440.984.7390
