When our community succeeds, The Van Wert County Foundation succeeds. Following our vision to create a well-resourced and thriving quality of life for our community, these stories are focused on our community’s successes. The Foundation is proud to support these worthy endeavors by stewarding the gifts left by the past visionaries of Van Wert County. Interested in learning more about these success stories and how you can impact our community? Contact The Foundation at (419) 238-1743.

Haven of Hope Men’s Homeless Shelter

Haven of Hope is a men’s homeless shelter in Van Wert County, providing displaced men a place to stay and providing assistance to get back on their feet. Funding from The Van Wert County Foundation was used to create online resources to help educate the community and allow for multiple connection points with those in need and also support additional staff.

Smiley Park Children’s Garden

Grant funding provided by the Oscar J. Scaer Memorial Fund for accessibility upgrades to sidewalks and curbing to meet ADA requirements at The Children’s Garden in Smiley Park. As part of a well-resourced and thriving quality of life, we need to create spaces and places for all. The Children’s Garden is a creation of the Master Gardeners class of 2005 and has received many accolades, recognition, and awards.

Vantage Career Center

Grant funding for this project aims to prepare for the implementation of a local Registered Nurse Program through the Adult Education Division of Vantage Career Center. These funds help provide salary, benefits, and office supplies costs for personnel to write curriculum, prepare for Board of Nursing approval, recruit potential students and staff, and secure clinical and externship sites.