On a state level, our communities face numerous challenges: foreclosures, safety, education, good jobs, equity, health. While programs exist to tackle all of these issues, their reach may be limited, as one challenge often feeds into another. Change does not occur in a vacuum. The movement for comprehensive community change has seen much traction nationally, especially through initiatives such as Purpose Built Communities, Better Block programs, and CHOICE Neighborhoods. Many of these initiatives maintain specific focus points but, in the uncertain economic and political climate of the 21st century, no one can know what the next major community challenge may be. Access to resources to seed fund community development innovation remains a challenge. Community development organizations not only listen to their community, but work directly with their neighbors to respond to these pressing problems.
Community development organizations need a mechanism to synthesize ideas and neighborhood feedback to develop innovative, homegrown solutions to their unique challenges. In doing so, they empower their communities.
Empowering Communities Grant Challenge 2024: Toledo & Lucas County Grant Challenge
Funded by the Caresource Foundation, the Empowering Communities Grant Challenge opportunity provided funding for innovative solutions to unique community challenges that involve the social determinants of health in Toledo and Lucas County.
Toledo-Area Nonprofits Awarded Grant Funding and Technical Assistance to Address Social Determinants of Health Toledo, OH --Through a partnership between the Ohio Community Development Corporation Association and the CareSource Foundation, two local non-profits are receiving financial support and technical assistance to improve community health outcomes in Toledo. The Toledo and Lucas County Empowering Communities Grant Challenge opportunity is providing funding for innovative solutions to unique community challenges that involve the social determinants of health.
The Empowering Communities Lucas County program provides grant funding from the Caresource Foundation and technical assistance from the Ohio CDC Association to support innovative, community-driven programs produce the greatest possible impact.
“At CareSource, we are committed to building healthier communities by addressing the key factors that impact our communities' well-being. We believe that everyone deserves access to the resources, services, and opportunities that foster a thriving and supportive environment, which is why the work organizations like Empowering Communities Lucas County is so important,” said Kate Tullio, AVP, Health Equity, CareSource Ohio. “It’s inspiring to see their commitment to the community, and we look forward to the continued good progress this grant will help make possible.” Toledo Design Collective is receiving financial support to create a housing-focused community engagement process for East Toledo's historic Birmingham neighborhood that will identify and outline needs for a future neighborhood master plan. This community-driven strategy will address housing stability and affordability while incorporating sustainable development, accessibility, and equity. The plan will engage residents to focus on housing solutions, economic opportunities, transportation, and health.
"A healthy neighborhood is a connected neighborhood that works together to identify common goals and shared values that meet the needs of every resident. How and where we live, access to fresh, healthy food, transportation, access to medical care, and opportunities to celebrate our neighborhood impacts everything from infant vitality to success in school to how long we live and thrive. Working alongside Birmingham residents through this opportunity from CareSource will help arrange the building blocks in Birmingham to ensure this historic community continues to be a place residents want to call home, and in homes that are safe, affordable, and meet their needs." — Ryan A. Bunch, Studio Director, Toledo Design Collective With Empowering Communities Grant funding, Mobile Meals of Toledo (MMoT) plans to expand its medically tailored nutrition and support services for vulnerable adults. Mobile Meals of Toledo serves the Toledo metro area, focusing on those facing severe health disparities and economic challenges. The organization addresses increased isolation and health issues, serving clients who live below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and face food insecurity. With Empowering Communities Grant funding, MMoT plans to expand its medically tailored nutrition and support services for vulnerable adults in additional Toledo apartment communities. “This financial support will assist us in maintaining the health, social wellness, and the independence of older adults by fostering social connections and providing nutritious meals in new congregate settings.” - Alison Foreman, Chief Executive Officer of MMoT The Lucas County-specific initiative drills down into the Toledo area after the statewide Empowering Communities program was launched by Ohio CDC Association and the Caresource Foundation in 2018. Independent evaluators Measurement Resource Company found that the original projects supported through the program increased resident engagement in social determinants of health, improved child and adult overall well-being, and improved residents’ self-advocacy skills.
Empowering Communities Grant Challenge 2018
In 2018, OCDCA and the CareSource Foundation launched the Empowering Communities Grant Challenge, an opportunity that provided funding for innovative solutions to unique community challenges that involve the social determinants of health. Five organizations participated in the experiment. They spent late 2018 through 2019 implementing their ideas, and learned a lot in the process.
Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation was funded $80,0000 to reorient its organization, partnerships, and service delivery around root causes of community health: the social determinants of health.
Ashtabula County Community Action Agency was funded $58,000 and will collaborate with the Ashtabula Area City School (AACS) District and local community leaders and partners to create a Community Learning Center (CLC) within the district. The purpose of the CLC is to address the non-academic conditions that negatively affect a student’s ability to come to school “ready-to-learn.”
Rural Action was funded $61,000 to launch the Empowering Rural Communities for a Culture of Health proposal, which aims to improve local community leadership across the county and networking capacity to affect desired change within the Social Determinants of Health related to environment, safety, isolation, healthy food access, and economic opportunity.
