Help & Resources

Help and Resources

Hunger
Health-Related Resources
Financial Stability Related Resources
Education Related Resources
COVID-19 Resources

Below is a list of resources available to Lake County, Ohio residents in need. Please note that this is NOT a comprehensive list. After perusing this list, we recommend you call Lifeline Inc's 2-1-1 Helpline Referal Service for complete and/or additional information or help that may be available to you. See below for more information on Lifeline.

United Way of Lake County supports many of the below programs to help our friends and neighbors in need. We do not, however, deal directly with clients. This is left to the health and human service agencies we help support. If you have questions about any of the below listed services, please contact the agenceis direct or dial 2-1-1 to contact Lifeline's help referral hotline anytime 24/7. United Way of Lake County does not have an operator available to answer questions.

Click any of the links below for a list of services in that category:

2-1-1 Helpline Referral Service
Lifeline, Inc.

Lifeline's 2-1-1 helpline is a community service that provides free confidential referrals for health and human service needs. If you are confused and don't know where to turn for help with housing, shelter, utility assistance, clothing, counseling, food and more, call 2-1-1. You can call 211 anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to talk to a real person. Just dial 211 on your phone from within Lake County or call 440-639-4420.
 
Hunger - Free Food
Lake County Food Pantries
United Way of Lake County helps support over 40 community food pantries. A list of these can be found here. 
 

Health-Related

Rape Crisis
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s Mentor Office provides convenient access to comprehensive services for survivors of rape and sexual abuse for individuals in Lake County and surrounding communities.  Services include individual counseling for children and adults; assistance for survivors who are considering legal options or navigating the criminal justice process; support groups; outreach education and professional training.

 

Hospice Care
Hospice of the Western Reserve

Provide hospice care, grief services and navigator palliative care services. Western Reserve Navigator provides comprehensive non-hospice palliative and supportive care in patients’ homes. Palliative care is a multidisciplinary approach to medical care that focuses on relief from the symptoms, pain, physical stress and mental stress of a serious illness. Supportive care focuses on providing the services that enable patients and caregivers to stay safe, healthy and socially engaged.

 

Kidney Care
Kidney Foundation of Ohio

The Kidney Foundation of Ohio provides a broad-based program of direct assistance to those with kidney disease and promoting and providing educational programming for the general public, renal professionals, and patients and their families. Programs include medication and transportation assistance, insulin program, emergency grants, and information and referrals.

Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services
Lake County ADAMSH Board

The ADAMHS Board provides Lake County alcohol, drug addiction and mental health services.

Website: http://www.helpthatworks.us/

If the situation is urgent:

  • Call 9-1-1.
  • Call the Lake County Crisis Hotline at 440-953-8255, 440.357.7300 or 800.411.0103.
  • Go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741. The Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.

If the situation is not urgent:

  • Call the Lake County ADAMHS Board’s Compass Line at 440-918-2000 or 440-350-2000.
  • Compass Line Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
  • Email:  compassline@lakeadamshs.org

The Compass Line is designed to shorten the journey between seeking help and getting help. Calling the Compass Line will connect you with a trained triage specialist – someone who can help you sort through your feelings, evaluate your options, and get you connected quickly and firmly with the right local resources.

Addiction Recovery Services
Lake-Geauga Recovery Services

 Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers, Inc. provides a wide range of services for adults whose lives have been affected by their own or another’s use of alcohol or drugs, gambling, mental illness, anger management, grief support and tobacco seccation. Residential treatment, recovery programs, outpatient services, prevention, education and more are provided.

Motivate Lake County - Health Promotion & COVID-19 Information
Lake County General Health District

A Lake County General Health District initiative, Motivate Lake County was launched as a community wellness hub to encourage all residents and workers to take control of their health. Working to prevent disease, promote health and protect Lake County, this resource also houses all relevant COVID-19 information from the Health District.

Mental Health Services 

Free overwhelmed, depressed, panicked or dealing with other mental health challenges? Help can be found below.

 

Free National 988 Call Service

 

As of July 2022, every person in every community nationwide can dial “988” to reach trained crisis counselors who can help in a mental health, substance use or suicide crisis. Learn how 988 can help you in a crisis with these FAQs from NAMI Lake County. Upon dialing the new three-digit 988 dialing code callers are connected to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) where compassionate, accessible care and support is available for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress — whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

 

 

Crossroads Health

 

Crossroads Health offers a continuum of recovery and mental health programs and services for all people, at any age or stage of life. The organization provides psychiatry and medication management; substance use disorders and dual diagnosis; school-based and consultation training and education; early childhood services; outpatient services and intensive Services.

 

Crossroads Health Coronavirus Warmline: 440-754-3340

Warmline Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 8 pm

Call the above number for help with COVID-related stress, anxiety or uncertainty

 

Virtual Support Groups (VSG):

Virtual group meetings last approximately one hour and are held on Tuesdays at 12 pm and on Thursdays at 6 pm

To access online log onto https://crossroadshealth.zoom.us/j/6044743547

You can also elect to participate by phone at 888-788-0099, Meeting I.D. 604-474-3547

 

Click here for more information about Crossroads Health.

 

 

Lake County ADAMHS Board (Lake County Alchohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Service)

 

 

Lake County Crisis Hotline: 440-953-8255

Free help is available 24/7 at the above number for when you or a family member is experiencing overwhelming stress that impacts your ability to function normally. 

 

Lake County ADAMHS Board Compass Line:  440-350-2000 or 440-918-2000

Call the Compass Line for information about all behavioral health services, including those relative to COVID-related stress or anxiety, and/or to explore tele-health options.

 

To visit Lake County ADAMHS online, click here.

 

 

NAMI Lake County (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

 

NAMI Lake County offers a place for ANYONE to come together virtually to share how they are handling their wellness during social distancing. The NAMI Lake County Wellness Chats are being held every day at 3:30 pm through Zoom or a phone call.

 

 

Addiction Recovery Advocacy Group
Project HABIT

Project HABIT's comprehensive advocacy program covers each level of addiction treatment care.  Clients are assigned an advocate that work with a clinical team.

Free Medical & Dental Care
The Lake County Free Clinic

The Lake County Free Clinic provides free medical and dental care services. Appointments are required and they do not accept walk ins.
 
  • Website: www.lakefreeclinic.org/
  • Phone: 440.352.8686, ext. 2
  • If you have a medical emeregency, call 911, NOT the Lake County Free Clinic
 

Free Prescription Assistance

The Prescription Assistance Program of Ohio (Lake County)

The Prescription Assistance Program of Ohio offers free prescriptions. The only charge may be the cost of mailing them to you. They fill prescriptions once a week.
 

A Connection Program to Reduce Loneliness & Isolation
We Thrive Together

In collaboration with the Council on Aging, We Thrive Together is designed to reduce isolation and loneliness within our community through free events and activities to connect those of all ages.

Free Access to Food, Clothing, Toiletries, Health, Well-Being and Education Services 
Wickliffe Family Resource Center & WicKloset

The Wickliffe Family Resource Center (WFRC) is operated by the Wickliffe City School district and offers free services. The organization strives to bring together services and activities that educate, develop skills and promote health and well-being in order to improve the outcomes of students, families and individuals in the community. The WFRC serves as a hub to area agencies to provide free services to clients, their families, and anyone in need. The center also provides medical examination and treatment space, counseling and small group space, and large group and educational space.

WicKloset - The WicKloset is an organization led by Wickliffe High School students in the Learn. Lead. Serve. Program. WicKloset is dedicated to providing local families with easy access to food, clothing, toiletries, and more.

 

Financial-Stability Related

 

Eviction Diversion, Rental Assistence, Forclosure Prevention Counseling & More
Fair Housing Resource Center (FHRC)



The Fair Housing Resource Center offers several housing programs that benefit residents of Lake County. They work to promote equal housing opportunities for all persons and to advocate for fair housing and diversity in Lake County and surrounding communities. FHRC offers assistance with:

  • Landlord/Tenant Issues - Eviction Diversion: The FHRC offers advice to both landlords and tenants with rental housing concerns and provides information regarding landlord-tenant laws and landlord and tenants’ rights and responsibilities. They offer Eviction Diversion assistance to help tenants facing eviction and offer assistance when possible to prevent evictions. They are also available to offer assists tenants in multi-family apartment complexes to organize around common housing issues and concerns, to assist tenants and landlords with housing concerns and information regarding landlord-tenant laws and the rights and responsibilities of each party involved. They provide proper documentation for landlords/tenants in regards to housing issues, and more.  
  • Rental Assistence Programs
  • Foreclosure Prevention Counseling
  • Fair Housing/Housing Discrimination
  • And More

FHRC Contact Information:

 

Resources for Seniors

Lake County Council on Aging

The Lake County Council on Aging offers programs for those age 60 and over including:

  • Home Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)
  • Drive Up Meal Packs (at 4 Lake County locations)
  • Information and Referral
  • Social Work Services
  • Non-Medical In Home Care Services
  • Bridge Newspaper  

The Council on Aging also serves individuals with disabilities who are age 18 and over through the agency’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). The agency has made many changes to their programs given COVID-19.  The latest edition of Bridge newspaper features an entire section devoted to resources available for seniors and their caregivers during coronavirus. Click here to view a copy of Bridge. For the most up-to-date information, visit them online at lccoa.org or call 440-205-8111.  
 

Health & Human Service Programs
Catholic Charities

In Lake County, Catholic Charities offers a number of programs encompassing several service areas including: youth employment, outpatient counseling services, families & children services, Hispanic services, food pantry services, and infant child care and education services. Catholic Charities programs serve individuals of all faiths and ethnicities, and help people grow and thrive—from youth all the way to those in their late stages of life.

Homeless Outreach, Residential Care Facility, Supportive Services, Rental Assistance
Extended Housing

Extended Housing, Inc. administers a variety of programs that serve individuals in Lake County with a serious mental illness who are homeless or facing imminent risk of being homeless.

Domestic Violence Shelter
Forbes House

Forbes House is a domestic violence shelter. They provide family advocacy services, counseling services, support groups, community outreach services, and legal advocacy. Forbes House works to empower individuals and families to end the cycle of domestic abuse - from shelter services, to counseling, to aftercare.

Poverty Resources & Emergency Assistance Programs
Lifeline, Inc.

Lifeline, Inc. provides a multitude of services from their 2-1-1 health and human service help referral hotline to their security deposit assistance program, prescription assistance program, emergency housing assistance, supportive housing program, rental assistance program, transportation assistance program, Dolly Parton Imagination Library program for kids, to a volunteer guardian program, volunteer tax assistance program and more.

  • Health & Human Services 24/7 Help Referral Hotline: Dial 2-1-1 or call 440-639-4420.

 

Food Pantry and Medical Equipment Distribution
McKinley Community Outreach Center, Willoughby

Transitional Housing Assistance
Western Reserve Community Development Corporation (WRCDC)

WRCDC offers qualified homeowners unique repair options that require no out of pocket expenses.

 

Homeless Shelter
Project Home for the Homeless

Project Hope for the Homeless is Lake County’s only homeless shelter. In addition to providing the area’s homeless with safe temporary housing for adults, families and seniors. The organization also provides client services ranging from an aftercare program, a Families Moving Forward Program, mental health outreach services, substance abuse prevention services and pastoral services.

  • Website:  https://projecthopeforthehomeless.org/
  • Phone: If you or someone you know is in need of shelter, call 2-1-1 from any landline in Lake County or 440.639.4420 from a cell phone to secure reservations for shelter.

 

Social Services including Food Assistance, Utility Assistance, Medical Funding Assistance
The Salvation Army of Painesville

The Salvation Army provides a variety of programming throughout the year to people in need. Assistance can vary from a food bag, to help with utility disconnection, or even clothing and furniture. We may help a young child struggling with school, a person trying to overcome challenges associated with substance abuse addiction, or a senior unable to get out of their home. Whatever crisis an individual or family is experiencing, The Salvation Army is there to listen and provide comfort and support.

Pregnancy Servives
Birthright, Inc.

Birthright provides no cost, on-site services that are available with an advance appointment. No cost services include pregnancy testing, counseling, maternity clothing, infant and toddler clothing, socks and shoes (new and gently used), formula, diapers, baby food, and items needed to care for infants and small children.

 

Education-Related

Creative Arts Therapies Program
Fine Arts Association

The Fine Arts Association serves the community by enhancing lives through arts education, creative arts therapies, performance, community partnerships, and advocacy. The organization offers virtual and/or in-person group and individual services in both music and art therapies along with adapted programming and specialized workshops.

Camp Experience for Special Needs
Camp Sue Osborne

For more than 40 years, Camp Sue Osborn has been dedicated to providing excellent, everyday camp experiences for individuals with special needs in Lake and Geauga county.

Free Summer Reading Program
Captain's Charities

The Lake County Captains Summer Reading Program provides elementary and middle school teachers and their students with the opportunity to become All-Star Readers by taking part in their Summer Reading Programs. The Captains Reading Program is a FREE, turn-key, incentive-based and aspires to help students discover the joy and rewards of reading. Receiving Captains prizes along the way, students work toward reaching their reading goals set forth by their individual educators. The Captains Reading Program encourages literacy and reading comprehension inside and outside the classroom for traditional and non-traditional K-8 schools.

Free Books for Kids Younger than 5 Years Old through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Mentor Public Library & Lifeline, Inc.

Lake County families with young children can get free picture books mailed to their homes for free. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, brand new high-quality age-appropriate books to children from birth until they turn five, no matter their family’s income. Once kids are signed up, they’ll have one book sent to them each month.

        Website: www.lclifeline.org/imagination-library
        Registration:  https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/affiliate/OHLAKECOUNTY/
        Phone: 440-354-2148
        Email: heatherr@lclifeline.org

 

Youth Mentoring Program
Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance

The mission of Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance is to foster the development of youth to reach their highest potential as responsible, adaptable, caring adults. Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance accomplishes this by providing a quality volunteer mentoring relationship with a supportive adult, as well as educational programs which are supervised by the agency’s professional staff.

Torchlight also offers an E-City Program designed to connect, inspire and teach youth via a semester-long high school credit class that teaches entrepreneurial, business, and life skills to high school students. Business mentors from the local community are paired with and assist their student mentees by offering advice, encouragement and guidance during the weekly one-hour class. Student success comes from the relationship with their mentor and networking opportunities with local entrepreneurs and business professionals. This program is currently at Harvey High School in Painesville and meets weekly.

 

YMCA Financial Assistance, Child Care Services, Summer Learning Loss Prevention Program
The Lake County YMCA

Financial Assistance is available to individuals, kids, and families on a need basis and allows access to all programs, activities and facilities at the YMCA.

COVID-19 Related

Questions about COVID-19 in Ohio
Ohio Department of Health

The latest updates on the Coronavirus/COVID-19 along with answers to frequently asked questions can be found at the Ohio Department of Health.

Call Center: The Ohio Department of Health has established a call center to answer questions and can be reached at 1.833.427.5634, 7 days a week from 9 am - 8 pm daily, including weekends.

Call center staff includes licensed nurses and infectious disease experts who are available to answer questions and provide accurate information about the Coronavirus/COVID-19.

Website: Click here to connect with them online at coronavirus.ohio.gov

Their website also includes resources for parents and families that includes information on talking to children about COVID-19 and family activities to try during school closings.
 

Questions about COVID-19 in Lake County
Lake County General Health District

Updates and news about the Coronavirus/COVID-19 in Lake County can be found online at the Lake County General Health District. 

 

Sew & No-Sew Facemask Instructions
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of cloth masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19. You can find tutorials on making these here on their website. Both sew and non-sew options are provided.