Nonprofit receives $110K

SANDUSKY — Sandusky Artisans Recovery Community Center recently received about $110,000 in state grant funding to support its efforts in helping fight addiction by delivering needed "building recovery supports for underserved populations services," executive director Joey Supina said. The grant, from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, will go toward adding new peer support programs to serve underserved populations in Erie County affected by substance use disorders, mental health challenges and the opioid crisis. These new initiatives at Artisans — based in downtown Sandusky — will target youth, young adults, older adults and families. Key aspects of Artisans' new programming include: • Hiring new peer supporters to implement peer support services for these specific groups • Integrating the recovery-oriented systems of care model to support a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to outreach Artisans' peer recovery services, which are non-clinical, focus on strengthening community connections and removing recovery barriers. "We are grateful to the One Ohio Recovery Foundation funding and support for helping Ohioans achieve Recovery," Supina said. Artisans' "mission is to improve the health, wellness and quality of life for these underserved groups by leveraging community partnerships and peer support. This funding will help (Artisans') new initiatives to become a reality." People can learn more about this grant funding and/or about Artisans' services by visiting sanduskyartisansrecovery.com. Grant background The grant: • Is part of an inaugural round of approximately $51 million in funding made available by the foundation as part of its mission to combat the opioid epidemic by supporting prevention, treatment and recovery programs and services in local communities • Was funded, in large part, through settlement funds that Ohio is receiving from the pharmaceutical industry as a consequence of its role in the national opioid epidemic • Received by Artisans "reflects the foundation's commitment to supporting organizations on the frontlines of the addiction epidemic by advancing efforts that foster more resilient, healthier communities across Ohio," according to a grant statement Across Ohio, organizations like Artisans "are working day in and day out to strengthen their communities that have been impacted by the opioid epidemic," foundation executive director Alisha Nelson said. "We're pleased to partner with (Artisans) to support their efforts to save lives, rebuild families affected by addiction and foster strong and resilient places to live," Nelson said. The recipients announced, as part of the foundation's first grant cycle, "were chosen after a robust review process that included evaluation by the local OneOhio regional board, the OneOhio expert panel and the foundation's board of directors," the statement read. "Grant recipients have demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing the opioid crisis," it read. "The funded initiatives are evidenced-based and align with Ohio's approved abatement strategies, including prevention, recovery supports, services for impacted families and children and many more."A complete list of recipients can be found at OneOhioFoundation.com/GrantAwards. The foundation "had an overwhelming response to the 2024 regional grant application process with more than a ($500 million) funding requests submitted for the $51 million available this cycle," it continued.