Originally published by The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley
In celebration of Pride Month, the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley (CFMV) has announced a significant funding initiative aimed at supporting the local LGBTQ+ community. A total of $191,500 in grants and sponsorships has been allocated to two major projects set to begin later this year. These initiatives will be crucial in empowering and uplifting LGBTQ+ voices and priorities across northeast Ohio.
One of the key projects is the Lake to River LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment, which will cover Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana Counties. This comprehensive study is being facilitated by Andrew Snyder, the public health program outreach director at Kent State University, along with graduate assistant Alex DiDonato. Their efforts will focus on understanding the lived experiences and priorities of LGBTQ+ individuals in the region, thereby enhancing decision-making and the alignment of community programs and services. The needs assessment has already received $80,000 in funding from the Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation and the Western Reserve Health Foundation.
Snyder and DiDonato are building on their previous work, having completed similar assessments for the Akron area in 2022 and currently working on a report for Greater Cleveland to be released in October.
CFMV President Casey Krell emphasized the alignment of these projects with local community work and the foundation's excitement about the positive social changes these initiatives will drive.
These efforts represent a significant step in fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for the LGBTQ+ community in the Mahoning Valley and beyond.
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