Agency to get $87,100 to help AIDS victims

YOUNGSTOWN — Meridian Services Inc. in Mahoning County will receive an $87,100 grant to assist people living with AIDS in Ashtabula, Columbiana, Jefferson and Mahoning counties.

The nonprofit organization is a diverse, community-based, behavioral health-care agency that provides addiction treatment to individuals and families affected by chemical dependencies and mental-health-related issues.

Larry Moliterno, the organization’s CEO, said they originally received the grant funding 11 to 12 years ago to provide a type of hospice for people living with AIDS, but because of the success of the medication, the need to provide that type of housing wasn’t needed anymore.

He said the individuals with AIDS were living healthier lives and the organization recognized the needs of those people had changed.

Instead, Moliterno said, “most of the funding we get now is for direct housing assistance and not the actual housing itself.”

The funds will enable Meridian Services to provide rental, mortgage and utility assistance to 148 houses and supportive services to 10 houses, according to an Ohio Department of Development news release.

For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.