MAHONING VALLEY, Ohio — The way Ohio Living supports seniors in the Mahoning Valley may look different than it once did, but the care and purpose behind their work remains the same since the organization was founded more than a century ago.
The newest way of providing support to seniors in Mahoning County — working alongside senior care, home health and hospice and senior enrichment services — are the Ohio Living Funds. Housed at the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, the two funds ensure older adults are treated with dignity and respect, and that they are able to experience life to the fullest through learning and community experiences.
The Ohio Living Funds include: the Lifelong Learning Fund (to continue the work of the Mahoning Valley Lifelong Learning Institute) and the Senior Support Fund (to support projects that help older adults age in place). Applications for the funds are due October 15; more information is available at CFMV.org/grants.
“Since the beginning, Ohio Living has maintained a strong commitment to providing enriching programs focused on lifelong learning, health and wellness, and opportunities to reduce isolation and enhance community engagement,” says Ohio Living Chief Development Officer Barb Lyon. “Partnering with the Community Foundation ensures that Ohio Living’s commitment to the well-being of seniors in the Valley is long-lasting.”
In its first set of grant awards, the Ohio Living Funds awarded a total of $8,674 to 3 nonprofits: $1,464 to Oh Wow! The Roger & Gloria Children’s Center for Science & Technology for senior outreach education programs, and $3,605 each to Thrive 10:10 to support the participation of older adults in its Getting Ahead program and Harvesting Hope In Your Community for cooking classes for adults in the Sebring area.
Launched in partnership with the Mahoning County Ohio State Extension Office, Harvesting Hope’s program has had full attendance — 30 participants — for each session so far, says Harvesting Hope Director Tonya Dean.
“We always fill up because the seniors are eager to learn from [instructor LuAnn Duncan’s] engaging, hands-on demonstrations. So far, they’ve learned bread making, one-pot meals, air fryer recipes, and sheet pan dinners, thanks to grant funds from the Ohio Living Funds,” she says. “These classes show that our seniors, no matter their age, love gaining new skills and learning how to prepare healthy meals.”
Grants from the Lifelong Learning & Senior Support Funds are guided by a committee, comprised of Lyon, Boulevard Park Block Watch Secretary and Healthy Community Partnership member Mary Danus, and Mae Medore of the Community Foundation’s Community Impact Team.
“Combining the Community Impact Team’s understanding of the local nonprofit space with the Ohio Living team’s insights into senior care and Mary’s knowledge of community work ensures that the Ohio Living Funds are supporting truly impactful projects,” Medore says. “When we can all pool our experiences and expertise, the community outcomes are always better.”
“Ohio Living’s mission has always been to provide adults with caring and quality services toward the enhancement of physical, mental and spiritual well-being consistent with the Christian Gospel,” Lyon says. “Our funds at the Community Foundation are just one way we carry out that mission for the Mahoning Valley.”