Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Raymond John Wean Foundation announced $708,388 in total grant awards to 17 local nonprofit organizations. The foundation, based in Warren, was founded in 1949 by steel entrepreneur Raymond John Wean. Its mission is to enhance community well-being and vitality in Trumbull and Mahoning counties. With about $90 million in assets and annual grants totally some $4.5 million a year, this is the largest foundation in the Mahoning Valley. Grants are given four times a year. The most recent:
Caritas Communities, a partnership between Catholic Charities Housing Opportunities and Humility of Mary Housing Ministries that runs Eastwood Village, a housing complex on the East side of Youngstown. The group hopes to more fully utilize the capacity of the housing with the assistance of a $17,500 grant.
Coleman Professional Service in support of its “Homeless Transition Youth Rental Subsidy Program” which will provide assistance for homeless transitional youths age 18-22. The amount is $15,000.
Community Solutions Association will receive $25,000 to support the development of a program to benefit young children in Warren through a collaboration of community organizations and the Warren City School District.
The East Side Organizing Project will receive $50,000 for its efforts toward fighting foreclosure. The group, based in Cleveland, brings subprime lenders to the table with borrowers for discussions about renegotiating their loans. The money will be used to hire an organizer for the Mahoning Valley.
The Greater Warren Youngstown Urban League has received a grant of $30,000. The funding will support the development of a strategic plan which will be responsive to the agency’s service to both Trumbull and Mahoning counties.
The foundation is providing a grant to Habitat for Humanity for $35,000 to support their ReStore program. This will be an attempt to raise funding for the organization through the operation of a business selling secondhand building materials and furnishings.
Junior Achievement of the Mahoning Valley will receive $16,848 to help fund a part-time program manager to work directly with both the Warren and Youngstown school districts. By linking these districts with entrepreneurial education, the program will benefit urban kids most in need of this type of education.
Lien Forward, Mahoning County’s effort to return vacant lots to usage, will receive $50,000 to expand its outreach capability. Lien Forward helps property owners living next to abandoned property to obtain title to the vacant properties so they can be put to productive use.
The Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children received a grant of $14,040 to support attendance by child care providers in Mahoning and Trumbull counties at its annual conference in Columbus.
Three neighborhood groups in Youngstown will receive funding to hire organizers. The Northeast Homeowners and Concerned Citizens Association will receive $65,000, a North Side group of stakeholders will oversee an organizer for $60,000, and the 7th Ward Citizens Coalition on the city’s Southeast side will receive $60,000.
A grant of $55,000 goes to Tru-Mah-Col Association for the Education of Young Children. The organization focuses on promoting professional development and improving the quality of care for young children in the Mahoning Valley.
Trumbull Lifelines will expand its services targeted for improving the emotional and behavioral health of young children with a $45,000 grant.
Volunteer Services Agency, Inc. will receive $60,000 to expand its services into Trumbull County. The group mobilizes and coordinates volunteer activity primarily in Mahoning County.
YMCA of Youngstown will receive $40,000 to enable children in Warren city schools to experience hands-on learning at Camp Fitch through its school camping program. A portion of the grant will also be targeted as scholarship assistance for Warren children to attend Camp Fitch during the summer.
The Youngstown-Downtown Revitalization Committee is a project to bring residents and stakeholders together to discuss improving Wick Park. The Kent State Urban Design Coalition will receive $70,000 to assist.