Investing in One Another

A message from HLF's Board President and Executive Director

Dear Friends,

As 2023 marks the Healthy Lakewood Foundation’s five-year anniversary, we consider not only our annual progress but also our evolution in instituting a public charity of and for the Lakewood community, rooted in the values of equity, compassion, community, and integrity. 

HLF’s mission is to advance programs, policies, and practices that inspire a Lakewood community in which health and well-being are reflected in all aspects of life. Our mission requires us to establish strategic priorities with and for our community and make investments over time to support their manifestation. At this five-year mark, we consider the investments both made in and made by the Foundation. 

Grantee partners and community members have invested time and energy in HLF by engaging in our grantmaking processes, attending our community meetings, and providing feedback on our work. Through their investments, HLF learns and gains perspective that strengthens the Foundation’s capacity to be responsive to the community.  

In 2023, HLF granted $400,000 to over 30 Lakewood-serving organizations. These investments address certain social determinants of health and support our local non-profits. Through these investments, we see the dedicated efforts of so many to improve the conditions that support health and well-being. HLF Board and staff members are inspired by their commitment to our community. 

We hope that as we highlight their work, you are inspired as well – by what exists and what is possible in our community. Please take time to read through our 2023 grants and consider how you might get involved in any of the listed programs or activities. Please consider making a year-end investment in one or more of these organizations.  

You may visit our website to learn more about HLF’s 2024 grantmaking schedule, with further updates posted in 2024. There are more good investments for us all to make to advance health and well-being in Lakewood. 

Throughout this time and in the new year, we hope that you find peace, love, safety, and support. 

Sincerely, 

Khalilah Worley Billy

Board President

Kate Ingersoll

Executive Director

Thank you, Heidi!

Heidi Hilty, a lifelong Lakewood resident, joined the HLF Board as an inaugural member in 2018. She and her husband, Phil, raised their two children in Lakewood, both of whom are now raising their own families here as well.  

Heidi has been involved in countless efforts to improve Lakewood, including serving on the boards of the Lakewood Observer, the Lakewood Historical Society, and the Lakewood Citizens Advisory Committee. Over the years, she advocated tirelessly for the passage of many Lakewood City School District levies. 

Heidi retired from Merrill Lynch as a Vice President after a 40-year tenure with the investment and wealth management firm. She has served on HLF’s Finance Committee, Strategic Planning Task Force, Hiring Task Force, Governance Committee, and Neighborhood Opportunity Grants Committee. We are grateful for Heidi’s dedication and commitment to the HLF Board over the past five years. 

Lakewood-resident, Patricia Wellborn, formed the Lakewood Black Caucus (LBC) in 2021 with the goal of uplifting the Black community and educating and nurturing young Black leadership in Lakewood. The LBC is an anti-racist organization that focuses on the mental health of the Black community by providing the following programs in and for the Lakewood community:  

-Monthly meetings are held in a safe space and offer Black residents a place for community building, education, understanding, and respite with a focus on supporting each other and organizing together.  

-A free four-session allyship training program is offered to teach all community members about Black history and bring our entire community together based on learning from our shared histories. The program is free and held at the Lakewood Presbyterian Church. 

-Free community-based events are open to the public for the celebrations and commemoration of Kwanzaa, Black History Month, and Juneteenth.  

LBC is developing a mutual aid base fund for basic household supplies not covered by food benefits.

LBC’s President Patricia Wellborn recently said, “Unity is a revolutionary act. That sums up what LBC is about. We focus on assisting Black people as best we can. Our programs are also open to helping the community as a whole. It is about bringing people together.” 

LBC will host a Kwanza celebration on Saturday, December 30th from 12:00 – 2:00 PM at the Lakewood Presbyterian Church. All are welcome. 

About the Healthy Lakewood Foundation

The Healthy Lakewood Foundation (HLF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity. HLF was created to ensure remaining assets from the conversion of the Lakewood Hospital continue to benefit the residents of the City of Lakewood. HLF’s grantmaking addresses the social determinants of health, the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age in Lakewood, Ohio. HLF’s mission is to advance programs, policies, and practices that inspire a Lakewood community in which health and well-being are reflected in all aspects of life. 

To contact HLF, please visit our website or email info@healthylakewoodfoundation.org.