Western Reserve and Trumbull Memorial health foundations distribute $101,875

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Western Reserve Health Foundation and Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation approved $101,875 in grants for local health-related initiatives, including $25,000 for the YMCA of Youngstown’s exercise program to help cancer survivors stay strong.

The YMCA’s 12-week Livestrong program, developed with the national Livestrong Foundation, includes fitness and strength activities in a supportive, small-group setting for adults completing cancer treatment.

“This program fulfills the important need of the increasing number of cancer survivors who find themselves in the transitional period between completing their cancer treatment and the shift to feeling physically and emotionally strong enough to attempt to return to their normal life,” the YMCA said in its grant application.

The foundations also approved these grants:

Community Legal Aid Services: received $22,000 from both foundations to help low-income individuals address legal matters impacting their health, such as housing, domestic violence and education; specifically working with the Mahoning County Pathways HUB to reduce infant mortality and Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatrics in Warren to improve health outcomes for women and children.

Homes for Kids: received $19,000 from both foundations to train and certify its Treatment Foster Care and Community/Home Based Mental Health Treatment staff in trauma-informed care. The training aims to support better service and care for youths who have experienced trauma, and help prevent adult onset of chronic disease, mental illness, violence, and other health-related issues.

Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership: received $15,000 from the TMHF for its nutrition programs geared to low-income residents, including nutrition and gardening classes, farmers’ markets, transportation to the markets and funds that double the buying power of public assistance funds spent at the markets.

Trumbull County Health Department: received $10,875 from the TMHF for 150 naloxone kits, designed to reverse heroin overdoses, for individuals who complete an established training program and have family, friends or clients at risk of an overdose.

Sight for All: A network of 36 Youngstown-area eye doctors received $10,000 from the WRHF for eye-care services for low-income patients beyond the care the doctors provide at no charge. The funds also support a referral specialist.