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Community West Awards Nearly $800,000 in First Quarter
[Westlake, Ohio] – The Community West Foundation Board of Directors started the year strong awarding $641,334 in first quarter grants to nonprofit agencies that are located in Cleveland, Western Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties.  An additional $156,000 was distributed through their Community Impact Fund bringing the grand total to $797,334.  The Community Impact Fund was established for donors who want to invest alongside Community West’s mission knowing that contributions would be distributed directly to grantees quarterly.  

For the first quarter, Community West Foundation provided grants to nonprofits that align with their mission areas of food provision as well as assistance for refugees and immigrants.  These grants could not come at a more urgent time given the reduction in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits for 673,000 Ohioans.  “We are hearing the warning from our grantee partners who provide food assistance services to our community,” commented Marty Uhle, Community West Foundation President and CEO.  “We are expecting to see a large increase in need at food banks and pantries as a result of this change.”

In addition, there are multiple major developments with refugees and immigrants across the world that are bringing newcomers to the Cleveland area.  Community West is confident that our grantees are positioned to assist with their arrival.

Organizations receiving grants for their food programs include:

    Christ Church Episcopal, Oberlin
    Collaboration Station
    Drink Local Drink Tap
    Greater Cleveland Food Bank
    Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland
    Pathways Enrichment Center
    Second Harvest Food Bank
    Society of St. Vincent de Paul
    St. Augustine Community Cupboard
    The Village Project
    Trials for Hope
    West Park United Church of Christ
    West Shore Meals on Wheels
    West Side Community House
    Westlake United Methodist Church (Food Centers)

Organizations also receiving grants include:

    Building Hope in the City – Hope Center for Refugees
    Camp Imagine – Summer camp for children with disabilities
    Catholic Charities, Migration and Refugee Services – Legal service for refugees and immigrants
    Esperanza, Inc. – Adult education for the Hispanic community
    Fund for Our Economic Future – Collaboration of philanthropic funders and civic leaders supporting economic growth in the region
    Joshua and Caleb Leadership Center – Programs for refugee mothers and their children
    The Refugee Response – Programs and services for refugees and immigrants
    U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants – Case management/wellness services for new refugees and immigrants