Medina County Community Fund announces more than $40,000 in grants
Two grants will support collaboration for a one-of-a-kind recovery farm
The Medina County Community Fund of Akron Community Foundation announced grants totaling $40,500 to 19 local nonprofit organizations during a grant distribution event on Thursday, June 15. This latest round of grants brings the Medina County Community Fund’s cumulative grantmaking total to nearly $720,000.
Grants this year were awarded to organizations that address at least one of the fund's four focus areas: arts and culture, community service, education and health. A collaborative project between multiple nonprofits will support men in recovery from substance use disorders. Two organizations received grants for a total of $4,000 to support a new 17-acre recovery farm in the heart of Medina. The project is an innovative solution to the addiction crisis that will increase recovery housing capacity in the community and provide sustainable job training programs.
"Hope Recovery Community, Medina County Park District, Cathy’s House and more have come together to create a one-of-a-kind recovery farm. The 17-acre Brown-Trump Homestead will be the home of a recovery house, a thriving recovery farm, and a farming-based training program," said Stefanie Robinson, executive director of Hope Recovery Community. "This health and housing project will support those impacted by addiction, provide workforce development, and combat local food insecurity."
Other grants awarded by the Medina County Community Fund will provide basic household necessities and clothing to families facing economic hardship, support free and discounted mental health services for Medina County residents, and provide emergency financial support for victims of domestic and sexual violence.
The following is a full list of organizations receiving grants in 2023:
Access the Arts, to provide ukulele and guitar lessons to children at the Lodi Family Center and the Medina County Juvenile Detention Center, $1,500
ALS Association Northern Ohio Chapter, to provide home modifications, wheelchair-accessible transportation, and medical financial assistance for individuals living with ALS in Medina County, $1,500
Battered Women’s Shelter, to provide emergency financial support for survivors of domestic violence in Medina County, $1,500
Cathy’s House Inc., to provide housing and job training for men with substance use disorder at the new Recovery Farm in Medina, $2,000
The Children’s Center of Medina County, to support the installation of a stairlift for increased accessibility at the Foster Care Visitation Center, $1,500
Cornerstone of Hope, to provide a safe and compassionate summer camp experience for Medina County youth who are grieving the loss of a loved one, $1,000
Forever Amber Acres Animal Sanctuary, to expand equine therapy services for Medina County veterans and military spouses, $1,500
Habitat for Humanity of Medina County, to support senior homeowners in Medina County by making home repairs and modifications to help them "age in place," $5,000
Hope Recovery Community, to provide recovery programming for men with substance use disorder at the new Recovery Farm in Medina, $2,000
Integrated Community Solutions, to provide social and educational enrichment programs for Medina County residents with developmental disabilities, $2,000
Live Inspired, to provide books and educational toys to economically and educationally disadvantaged Medina County families with young children, $1,000
Love INC of Medina County, to provide furniture and home essentials to families facing economic hardship, $2,000
Marian’s Closet, to provide new towels and linens to families experiencing economic hardship in Wadsworth and the surrounding communities, $2,500
Matthew 25 Coalition, to provide rent and mortgage assistance to asset-limited families in southwest Medina County, $4,000
Oaks Family Care Center, to provide discounted or free mental health counseling for Medina County residents, $2,000
Rape Crisis Center, to provide emergency financial support for survivors of sexual violence in Medina County, $1,500
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Diocese of Cleveland – Sacred Heart, to provide free laundry services for families facing economic hardship in Wadsworth and the surrounding communities, $2,000
Stewart’s Caring Place, to provide support services for Medina County residents impacted by cancer, $3,500
YAHAB, to provide clothing and home essentials to individuals in Medina County experiencing economic hardship, $2,500
About the Medina County Community Fund
The Medina County Community Fund, an affiliate fund of Akron Community Foundation, serves as a permanent philanthropic endowment for Medina County. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Medina County residents, now and in the future. The income from this fund is distributed annually to qualified nonprofit organizations that provide a wide range of cultural, educational, health and community services. To date, the fund has grown to more than $1.1 million and awarded nearly $720,000 in grants. For more information, or to contribute to the Medina County Community Fund, visit mccfund.org.
About Akron Community Foundation
Celebrating 68 years of building community philanthropy, Akron Community Foundation embraces and enhances the work of charitable people who make a permanent commitment to the good of the community. In 1955, a $1 million bequest from the estate of Edwin Shaw established the community foundation. It is a philanthropic endowment of nearly $260 million with a growing family of more than 820 funds established by charitable people and organizations from all walks of life. The community foundation and its funds welcome gifts of all kinds, including cash, bequests, stock, real estate, life insurance and retirement assets, just to name a few. To date, the community foundation’s funds have awarded more than $223 million in grants to qualified nonprofit organizations. For more information about Akron Community Foundation or to learn more about creating your own charitable fund, call 330-376-8522 or visit akroncf.org.