Local nonprofits receive $215,000 in grant money

WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) — The Raymond John Wean Foundation announced Thursday $215,000 is going to three local nonprofits.

The Freedom Righteous Organizing Collaborative (Freedom ROC), the African American Male Wellness Agency (AAMWA) and Organización Cívica y Cultural Hispana Americana Inc. (OCCHA) will receive funding.

Freedom ROC and AAMWA are new grantees of the Wean foundation.

Freedom ROC, founded in 2021 in Akron, organizes within communities to build Black political engagement through voter education, workshops, and programs. Its portion of the funding will support its expansion into the Mahoning Valley over two years.

The AAMWA received a one-year grant to fund its Financial Opportunity Center supporting economic mobility for residents in Warren and Youngstown.

Although the AAMWA used to primarily focus on the health of Black men, today they have expanded programs for fatherhood, financial wellness, mental health, mentorship and research.

OCCHA received a renewal of an existing grant through the Wean Foundation.

The foundation says the grants reflect its mission to fund organizations whose leadership reflects the communities they serve.

“We are pleased to support these resident-centered, equitable solutions in the Mahoning
Valley,” said Fallon Peterson, Senior Director of Programs and Operations at the Wean
Foundation.