Westlake, Ohio
The Community West Foundation continues to spread the love to local nonprofits, this time with an impressive $1.14 million in grants for the third quarter throughout Cleveland, western Cuyahoga County, and Lorain County.
Westlake-based Connecting for Kids founder and executive director, Sarah Rintamaki, accepts a check from Marty Uhle, Community West Foundation president and CEO.Community West Foundation
Nonprofits addressing mental and physical health, disability services, and addiction recovery were the beneficiaries of $895,000 in grants. Adding to this, an additional $245,000 was distributed through the Community Impact Fund, an initiative where donors—no matter the size of their contribution—directly invest in Community West’s mission, according to the press release.
The fund guarantees that every dollar goes straight to nonprofit grant recipients, ensuring maximum impact.
“Our Community Impact Fund has exploded with growth,” said Marty Uhle, Community West Foundation president and CEO, in a press release. “This program allows
donors to see their contributions directly shape the future of our community.”
Community West Foundation officials recently held an Open House honoring the grant recipients and distributed the checks to the nonprofits. The latest round of funding highlights Community West Foundation’s commitment to supporting transformative services for local residents in need, according to the press release.
Congratulations to the nonprofits listed below.
Cuyahoga County:
• Bridge CLE’s Resilience Ministry – Trauma recovery counseling services for people in the Clark-Fulton area
• Beck Center for the Arts – Creative arts therapies for adults with disabilities
• Blossom Hill, Inc. – Provides residential, respite, and supportive living centers for adults with developmental disabilities
• Canopy Child Advocacy Center – Enables coordinated child abuse investigations to reduce trauma and provide immediate services that promote justice and healing
• Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center – Serves children and adults with special communications needs
• Cleveland Rape Crisis Center – Provides short-term intensive crisis intervention for survivors of sexual trauma
• Connecting for Kids – Provides education and support for families with a concern about their child
• Cornerstone of Hope – Provides support, education, and hope for grieving adults, youth, and families
• Empower Sports – Provides sports and exercise programs for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities
• Far West Center – Community mental health center providing behavioral health services for residents of western
Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties:
• GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland – Provides free programming and support for people with Down syndrome and their families
• Joseph & Mary’s Home – Provides medical respite and recuperation for adults experiencing homelessness
• Life Act – Provides suicide prevention programs for middle school and high school students
• Malachi House, Inc. – Residential home that preserves human dignity for terminally ill individuals
• Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition – Advocates to increase awareness of issues impacting people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders, and advance policies for Ohioans affected by mental illnesses and addiction disorders
• NAMI Greater Cleveland – Empowers those living with mental illness and their family members to achieve a better quality of life by providing education, support, information and referral, and advocacy
• Neighborhood Family Practice – Provides health care, including midwifery, to refugees and low-income residents of Cleveland
• Providence House – Crisis nursery committed to child abuse prevention and family preservation
• Stella Maris, Inc. – Provides addiction recovery and management services, including supportive housing
• The Ed Keating Center – Sober living housing for men in addiction recovery
• The Edna House for Women – Residential addiction recovery and management center for women
• The Lantern Center for Recovery – Residential addiction recovery center for men
• The Road to Hope – Provides housing to people in addiction recovery
• The Turn – Non-clinical adaptive fitness and recreation opportunities for teens and adults with disabilities
• Urban Community School – Grant provides funding for a student and family social worker
• Youth Challenge – Provides free adapted sports and recreational activities for young people with disabilities
Lorain County:
• Lorain County Free Clinic – Provides health care services to uninsured and underinsured individuals
• Lorain County Safe Harbor-Genesis House – Offers resources and support for women, men, families, and children struggling with domestic violence
For more information, go to communitywestfoundation.org.
BAY VILLAGE
Homecoming royalty: Congratulations to Bay Village High School’s Homecoming King and Queen, Spencer Grace and Queen Lizzie Fetterman, crowned during last weekend’s Homecoming festivities.
Bay Days 2025: Fireworks will shift to July 5 next year as city officials voted last week to approve the change. Rates are going up and city officials also wanted to lock in the price now for next year.
The cost to have fireworks on July 4 would be around $17,000. Cost to have fireworks on July 5 would be closer to $21,000. Having fireworks on July 5 (Saturday) would allow the city to avoid paying double holiday overtime for city employees, which would offset some of the costs.
The dates for Bay Days were also approved and the annual event will take place July 2-5, 2025.
Fire hydrant flushing: Weather permitting, the fire department will begin inspecting and testing every hydrant in the city to ensure proper function, pressure, and maintenance.
The work is expected to be completed by mid-October. Temporary signs will be posted at all the entrances to the city as a reminder that the program is ongoing. Hydrants will be tested between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Since hydrant maintenance procedures can loosen some of the rust in the water mains, residents/businesses may notice rusty or discolored water when testing is in the area, according to information posted on the city’s website. If this happens, let cold-water run for a few minutes until it is clear again.
Should any rusty water end up accidentally in your laundry, the fire department will have a supply of rust remover packets. For more information, call 440-871-1214, or stop by the fire station, 28100 Wolf Road.
Quilt showcase: The Bay Village Historical Society presents, ‘Recreating the Quilt of the Past’, a showcase of award-winning 19th century quilt reproductions and the stories behind them. The free presentation will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Bay Village Branch Library, 27400 Wolf Road.
For more information regarding upcoming events, go to bayhistorical.com/events.
Honoring Amy: The Amy Mihaljevic Memorial Run & Walk begins at 9 a.m. Oct. 26 at Cahoon Park.
The event started out as Walk for Amy during the 2020 COVID year. As interest in the annual event grew, the Mihaljevic Family wanted to expand the event to include a 5K race, according to the event’s website.
It’s been 35 years since Amy’s abduction and murder. Law enforcement officials continue to work the case, hoping awareness from these events and advancements in DNA forensics technology will lead them to solving her case and others.
To register for the event, go to runsignup.com/Race/OH/BayVillage/AmyMihaljevic.
Arts festival: The second annual BAYarts Fall Fest takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 19 at BAYarts, 28795 Lake Road.
Guests can follow along on the Trick-or-Treat Trail for special treats and prizes, as well as enjoy fall-themed crafts, games, face painting, and photos. Costumes are encouraged.
New this year, kids in middle school grades can participate in a ‘slightly spooky’ party hosted in the newly renovated Playhouse.
ROCKY RIVER
Free check-in calls: A new service for residents is the Rocky River Care Calls. Enjoy the reassurance of a daily phone call to check-in on your well-being. The home-calling service is offered by the Rocky River Police Department.
Participants will receive an automated, daily phone call to check on their welfare. If the call is not answered, the Police Department is notified and an officer will conduct a well visit.
To register and see if you qualify, contact Mary at 440-333-6664 or via email [email protected].
Vendors needed: The Senior Center is seeking vendors for its annual Holiday Craft & Quilt Show. The event takes place Nov. 1-2. All exhibitors must have a Transient Vendor’s License with the State of Ohio. Booth fee is $60. For more information, call 440-333-6660.
Donated baked goods are also needed for the event. If you would like to contribute a batch of cookies, cupcakes, brownies or other food treats, stop by the Front Desk, 21014 Hilliard Blvd., or call 440-333-6660.
WESTLAKE
Road construction update: Northbound traffic on Clague Road will be closed from Lorain Road to Westwood Road, now through Nov. 15, for construction work in North Olmsted. The detour utilizes Walter Road.
Cutest pet contest: Do you have the cutest pet? Whether it’s a dog, cat, horse, bird, fish, turtle, snap a picture and enter the Westlake Historical Society’s Cutest Pet Contest. There is no entry fee and the contest is for Westlake residents only.
Deadline to enter is Oct. 31. Send you pictures to 1371-A Clague Road, Westlake, OH, 44145. Include your name, pet’s name, and contact information.
For more information, go to westlakeohiohistory.org.
Movie night: Bring a raft and enjoy the Westlake Recreation Center pool during Dive-In Movie Night Oct. 18. Check-in begins at 6:15 p.m. “The Addams Family” movie will be shown on a big screen scoreboard at 6:30 p.m. A light snack and beverage will be provided to all attendees.
Non-swimmers and those wearing life jackets must have an adult in the water. The pools will close at 6 p.m., and play features will be off during the movie.
The cost is $6 for members and $12 for non-members.To register, go to
Knights fundraiser: St. Ladislas Council of Knights is partnering with the Father Ragan Council from Avon for a “Knights at the Races” fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at St. Ladislas Church Hall, 2345 Bassett Road.
Tickets are $30 per person for dinner and access to betting. Pick a horse for $25. For a reservation form or more information, contact Pete Catanese at 440- 465-4946 or via email [email protected] . Mail checks to Knights of Columbus, PO Box 224, Avon, OH 44011 and make payable to Knights of Columbus.
RSVP by Oct. 21 for ads and RSVP for dinner reservations by Oct. 18 with your name(s), the number attending, your phone number, email address and check.
Testing assessments: Academic screenings (grades PreK-12) by licensed school-based psychologists will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 5 and Oct. 19. One-on-one academic testing assessments to screen for dyslexia, ADHD, language or auditory barriers, among others.
Screenings are made possible through the Accelerated Learning Grant, funded by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, and facilitated by Making A Difference
Space is limited. Register each child individually, go to westlakelibrary.org/events.
Shout-out: Congratulations to Westlake Police Lieutenant Brian Pasti on his retirement from the department after 36 years of service.
If you have news/information or a story idea you’d like to share or a ‘shout-out’, please send an email to [email protected]. Read Short Takes online at https://www.cleveland.com/topic/westlake. Follow me on X (Twitter) @jshortavon.
