Reid Benefit funds grants to impact mental health, substance abuse

Reid Health Community Benefit’s first 2024 grant cycle provides nearly $99,791 for 15 organizations focused on mental, emotional and behavioral wellbeing through improving mental health and reducing substance misuse.

Requests from nonprofits, schools and other organizations were evaluated on their ability to impact the number of poor mental health days, the suicide rate, the number of deaths due to drug poisoning, the number of adults who smoke cigarettes, the rate of depression, and the drug and opioid overdose rate.

“Funding was prioritized to projects that align closest to our health indicators and organizations that have the highest need for our support,” said Jess Przybysz, director of Community Benefit and Engagement, in a news release. “We look forward to the positive impact these programs and projects will have for residents in our service area in the coming year.”

The awards are: 

• $2,561 to A Better Way Services for training materials and food and travel expenses for safeTALK and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) programs.
• $5,100 to Bridges for Life to train a certified peer recovery coach and for “Recover Together” program materials.
• $3,750 to Brighter Path Inc. for child and adult scholarships for the equine therapy program.
• $10,000 to Girls Inc. of Wayne County for staffing, mental health and substance use prevention, and “Informed Together” series program materials.
• $7,500 to Preble Arts for the Essential Humans program which will provide mental health support through art including personnel, supplies, and program materials.
• $7,500 to the Randolph County Veterans outreach center, The Journey Home, to locate homeless veterans and provide them with services and support.
• $2,500 to Randolph Eastern School Corp. to provide the 3rd Millennium Classroom Intervention Curriculum.
• $9,500 to Recovery Rocks Club Inc. for office supplies, equipment and program, and marketing materials for recovery support groups.
• $5,000 to Salt of the Earth for payroll of the house manager and startup costs toward a new men’s transitional living house.
• $7,000 to Servants at Work Inc. to provide wooden and specialty ramps in Reid Health’s service area.
• $2,880 to Soldiers in the Army of the Lord to purchase One Step program software for a men’s transitional living home.
• $10,000 to Stayin’ Alive for staff, program materials and marketing for its recovery support group.
• $10,000 to The Shelter Inc. to purchase bunk beds, supplies and personnel for transitional living space.
• $9,000 to The Shepherd’s Way Christian Ministries Cross Road Recovery Center for Women to support a part-time case manager for the recovery program.
• $7,500 to Whole Family Community Initiative to provide counseling services for the House of Ruth residents and their families

Application deadline for the second cycle focusing on physical activity, nutrition and weight is May 10. Third-cycle applications focusing on maternal, infant and children’s health will be accepted July 8 to Aug. 9.