Local nonprofits receive over $9k in grants to fund programs addressing loneliness

WHIO Staff
·2 min read
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Four Dayton area nonprofit organizations are coming together to combat loneliness and social isolation, according to a spokesperson with United Church Homes.

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Over $9,000 in grants were established after multiple community organizations in the Miami Valley sponsored the Ohio premiere of ‘All the Lonely People,’ a documentary highlighting the epidemic of social isolation, the spokesperson said in a media release shared with News Center 7.

The award recipients consist of a group of nonprofits serving a range of demographic audiences, the spokesperson said. The participating organizations include:

  • Sunlight Village is set to receive $3,000 to set up a bi-weekly program for children, families, and older adults in Dayton’s west end to connect them with positive groups of people, the spokesperson said.

  • The Food Bank will receive $1,650 for a program that brings pets from the shelter to food distribution sites to interact with older adults, the spokesperson said. These interactions can have a positive effect on mental health by alleviating feelings of loneliness.

  • St. Mary Development Corporation will receive $3,000 for a three-month program in three low income housing communities for senior adults with Senior Music Connection, the spokesperson said. This program is aimed at connecting these individuals through music and creativity.

  • Rainbow Elder Care will be receiving $1650 for projects in conjunction with LGBTQ+ Youth Center, the spokesperson said in the release. The projects will consist of portraits of older area LGBTQ+ adults, intergenerational programming and LGBTQ history books and resources for the future library once the center is no longer under development in 2023.

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“The grant committee was pleased to see the array of ideas and programs that were submitted. The variety of organizations and the range of services helped to illustrate the need for programs addressing loneliness and social isolation. It also made the decision more difficult because we knew we would not be able to fund all of the requests.” Vice President of Engagement and Executive Director of Ruth Frost, Rev Beth Long-Higgins, said.