Happy New Year, Lakewood! 2025 is well under way and we are looking forward to a fun and exciting year here at HLF and around Lakewood. There are many innovative programs, initiatives and new events kicking off with our grant partners this year. Stay tuned as we share information all year long through emails, our website, and our social media channels.

2025 Grants Timeline

The Foundation is looking ahead to our next few years of grantmaking. The HLF grantmaking process for 2025 is currently being finalized. Please stay tuned to our website and upcoming newsletters for more information on 2025 grant processes.

The Land's Lakewood

Community Journalism Program

The Land is excited to announce their first-ever Lakewood Community Journalism program!

Since late 2021, The Land has been educating Greater Clevelanders on how to report on their neighborhoods. They’ve educated more than 100 students and published more than 150 articles by Community Journalism graduates. Attendees learn the basics of how to be a journalist, what it means to be a community reporter and hone their media literacy skills. They work on stories throughout the course, with the goal of publishing on The Land. The resulting stories provide valuable community news and give residents a voice in how their cities and neighborhoods are discussed in the media. 

HLF is excited to support Lakewood resident participation in the program. Research demonstrates that socially connected communities experience better health outcomes, while the Lakewood Community Health Needs Assessment revealed significant gaps in resident awareness of local programs and resources. By supporting solutions-based community journalism education, HLF aims to empower residents to gather and share stories and information through diverse channels amplifying new voices and discovering fresh perspectives. The community benefits from deeper understanding, stronger connections, and improved well-being.

There will be two Lakewood Community Journalism programs in 2025. The first session will start March 24 and continue for 12 weeks. The program is free to attend and is open to any person living in Lakewood. All classes are conducted on Zoom, in an attempt to make them more accessible. Graduates who publish an article with The Land will receive a $300 stipend and an invitation to network and continue working with The Land. To learn more and to apply, visit their website.

This program is funded in part by HLF. HLF has no editorial review, control, or influence over content published through this program.

HLF Grantee Spotlight:

Asian Services in Action (ASIA)

A recent HLF two-year grant to ASIA supported services to 742 Lakewood households between 2022 and 2023. The grant supported ASIA's delivery of direct services, including public benefits enrollment, employment assistance, financial education, food security, and after-school and summer programming for LCSD newcomer students. ASIA staff members work directly with LakewoodAlive, Lakewood City Schools, Lakewood Public Library, area businesses, and the Department of Human Services to help clients navigate essential services and appointments. ASIA has been awarded $35,000 over two years through July 2026 to continue this important work in Lakewood.

ASIA recently supported "Amina" (name changed), an Afghan refugee in Lakewood who struggled with isolation and depression from language and cultural barriers. Through ASIA's comprehensive support system, particularly their women's group, she found community among others facing similar challenges, which improved her English skills and confidence. ASIA's parenting group helped her navigate some cultural challenges, enabling her to maintain family bonds while preserving her cultural identity. Through this multi-faceted support encompassing language assistance, community connection, and cultural navigation, Amina transformed from an isolated individual into an engaged community member who began exploring job opportunities.

We are grateful for the work of ASIA in Lakewood and pleased to continue a partnership with them.

About the Healthy Lakewood Foundation: The Healthy Lakewood Foundation (HLF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity. 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 wellness are reflected in all aspects of life. To contact HLF, please visit our website or email info@healthylakewoodfoundation.org.