Help & Resources

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Help and Resources

Food Insecurity Help
Health-Related Resources
Financial Stability Related Resources
Education Related 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 Referral 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 agencies 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:

Education 
 

Financial Stability

     
Health 

Laketran
Reduced Ride Fare Program

Laketran offers reduced fares to seniors, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and students. Complete details on their reduced fare program can be found here. Customers who would like to participate in Laketran’s Reduced Fare program for Local Routes, Dial-a-Ride, Rides on Demand, or Park-n-Ride must complete their Reduced Fare Application. Persons eligible for a reduced fare for each mode of service include:

  • Local Routes: Seniors, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, Students
  • Dial-a-Ride: Seniors, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans
  • Park-n-Ride: Seniors, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, Students
  • Rides on Demand: Seniors, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans

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

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 or 800-273-8255
    • Free help is available 24/7 at the above numbers for when you or a family member is experiencing overwhelming stress that impacts your ability to function normally.
  • Go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
  • Crisis Text Line: Text 4HOPE 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 440-350-2000.
    • Call the Compass Line for information about all behavioral health services, including those related to stress or anxiety, and/or to explore tele-health options.
  • Compass Line Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Email:  compassline@lakeadamhs.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 System Navigation 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.

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.

 

 

 

 

Financial-Stability Related

 

Eviction Diversion, Rental Assistance, Foreclosure 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 Assistance Programs
  • Foreclosure Prevention Counseling
  • Fair Housing/Housing Discrimination
  • And More

FHRC Contact Information:

 

 

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.

 

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 Services
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

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.