The Clark Family Fund is honored to have awarded grants to many nonprofits making a difference for individuals with special needs and their families. Here are two examples of the types of projects we fund.
HELP FOUNDATION
HELP Harvest Greenhouse
In 2022, A $300,000 capital grant was given to HELP Foundation to assist with the completion of HELP Harvest Greenhouse—a new greenhouse and adjacent classroom to expand the nonprofit’s vocational habilitation programming and integrated employment services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Founded in 1965, HELP Foundation empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, day support, vocational, and summer education programs to choose services and opportunities as respected and valued members of the community.
Incorporating a seed to table concept, HELP Harvest Greenhouse supports the growing of hydroponic produce, which is then harvested to make healthy meals and snacks at the HELP Harvest Kitchen, and then
prepared, packaged, labeled, and sold at two HELP Harvest cafes in the Greater Cleveland area. HELP Harvest Greenhouse is part of HELP’s employment services program, providing a time-based curriculum to help ensure qualified individuals can receive adequate, intensive training that prepares them for fulfilling work at a prevailing wage.
For more information about HELP Foundation and the HELP Harvest Greenhouse click here.
DEEPWOOD FOUNDATION
All-Inclusive Accessible Playground
In 2019, the Clark Family Foundation granted $185,000 to Deepwood Foundation in support of the Clark Family Activity and Learning Center at Broadmoor School in Mentor, Ohio. This barrier-free complex promotes self-empowerment and imaginative play, allowing individuals using wheelchairs, walkers, and standers to play alongside their peers in a safe and welcoming environment.
Established in 1992, Deepwood Foundation works in partnership with the Lake County Board of Develop- mental Disabilities to assist individuals and families impacted by developmental disabilities living in Lake County, Ohio.
Phase 1 of the playground, the Accessible Learning
Center, features a shelter to protect students from weather elements and is bordered by accessible gardening planters. Phase 2, the Activity Center/ Playground includes all-accessible equipment and
auditory and visual components that offer safe, endless
play for individuals of all ages and abilities in one loca-
tion. Phase 3, the Leisure Center, serves as a calming
place, with activities such as bocce, shuffleboard,
swings, and picnic shelters for older students and
adults.
For more information about Deepwood Foundation and the Clark Family Activity and Learning Center click here.