Op-ed: A shared journey of hope and renewal
- Op-Ed Contributor
By Ted St. John, Hope Town Recovery, OneOhio Recovery
September is National Recovery Month and a time to honor those in recovery from addiction and the skilled, compassionate professionals who support them in their journeys.
As a board member of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, the nonprofit organization created in 2021 to distribute 55 percent of the funds Ohio is receiving from the national opioid legal settlements, our mission is rooted in the belief that recovery works best when people are wrapped in a community that supports their healing and overall wellbeing. I know this to be true from my own experience in recovery and leading Hope Town Ohio, a recovery-focused organization in Portage County.
In 2024, the Foundation launched its inaugural Regional Grant Cycle and awarded more than $45 million to support 245 projects statewide, all with a focus on proven programs and methodologies for preventing, treating and helping people recover from addiction. The statewide impact is profound, but Region 13—Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, and Portage counties, which I represent on the board—is seeing dividends also, receiving $2.25 million for 12 different projects. Recovery efforts were a significant focus of these grants, with five organizations receiving more than $1.1 million for recovery supports, housing and other services.
As part of its grant awards announcement process, the Foundation held multiple “Grant Award Wednesday” announcements to help highlight funds going to youth prevention, recovery housing, and family support — affirming our commitment to evidence-informed strategies across the state. And the Foundation is setting work in motion for its next round of grants. This summer, the Board approved $45 million for a second regional grant cycle. I encourage Ohio organizations — including those in Northeast Ohio’s Region 13 — to prepare to apply, and to monitor the Foundation’s website and social media for updates on application details.
Taking a step forward to learn more about applying for grant dollars is a meaningful way for leaders in the addiction treatment community to honor National Recovery Month. It’s more than a calendar event—it’s a call to action. Every community plays a role — by hosting local events, amplifying recovery stories, or strengthening access to resources. The Foundation invites communities to share their initiatives on our website so we can amplify what works and connect leaders and innovators across the state: www.oneohiofoundation.com.
To ensure Ohio opioid settlement dollars have a lasting impact for years to come, the Foundation is exploring how to set aside a portion of its funds in an endowment to support future rounds of grants. Doing so will allow those in need in the future to receive strong supports as well and learn from the insights we’re gathering in community-oriented, evidence-based methods. Through this long-term approach, public responsiveness and transparent governance, the Foundation is building a sustained recovery infrastructure for Ohioans.
To those walking the path of recovery— you inspire us. To the service providers, volunteers, families, and regional leaders shaping change— thank you. National Recovery Month reminds us that recovery is not a solitary journey, but one we walk together, with hope, compassion, and determination.
The author is the Region 13 representative on the OneOhio Recovery Foundation Board of Directors and the CEO of Hope Town Ohio, a recovery ecosystem in Windham, Ohio.
Op-Ed Contributor