The Holmes County Education & Community Foundation announced its first-ever community grant, awarded to the National Alliance on Mental Illness Wayne and Holmes Counties. This grant, made possible through the Patrick Shriver Memorial Fund for Mental Health, will support NAMI’s efforts to provide safety, support and education to individuals and families affected by mental illness.
The Patrick Shriver Memorial Fund for Mental Health aims to support initiatives focused on suicide prevention, mental health awareness and addiction disorder services in Holmes and Wayne counties. With a focus on community-based, peer-driven programs, the fund will benefit organizations like NAMI that deliver essential services to individuals in need.
NAMI Wayne-Holmes provides a crucial role in the community by offering peer support, family services, suicide prevention and training for law enforcement. Its mission is to create a place of safety where individuals affected by mental health challenges can find acceptance and receive the support they need to improve their lives. This grant will help NAMI continue to expand its programs and outreach in the community.
“We are deeply grateful for the support from the Patrick Shriver Memorial Fund,” said Jen Grim, executive director at NAMI Wayne-Holmes. “With the support of the Shriver family and the Holmes County Education & Community Foundation, we can deepen our impact in the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. We are honored to be chosen as the first recipient of this fund. We know people still suffer in silence, and our mission aims to change that.”
The Patrick Shriver Memorial Fund for Mental Health was established in October 2024 by the Shriver family in partnership with the Holmes County Education & Community Foundation. The fund focuses on supporting projects and activities that promote suicide prevention, mental health awareness and addiction disorder services.
“The Shriver family is committed to honoring Patrick’s memory by supporting initiatives that improve mental health services in our community,” a representative from the Shriver family said. “This grant to NAMI is just the beginning. We hope it will inspire others to contribute to the fund and support mental health initiatives in our region.”
The Patrick Shriver Memorial Fund continues to welcome donations from the community to help sustain and grow its impact. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made by sending checks to the Shriver Fund at 114 N. Clay St., Millersburg, OH 44654.
“We are thrilled to award the foundation’s first charitable grant since expanding into a community foundation. This is the first of many investments into our region’s nonprofit sector, building capacity and a safety net for our residents,” said Shasta Mast, foundation executive director.
For more information about the Patrick Shriver Memorial Fund for Mental Health or to donate, call the Holmes County Education & Community Foundation at 330-674-7303.
The Holmes County Education & Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that serves as a resource for charitable giving and community development. The foundation strives to connect philanthropic resources with essential needs. Since 1989 the foundation has provided more than $12 million in scholarships. Recently, the organization expanded its mission to become a community foundation, which provides charitable grants to nonprofit community organizations.
