LYONS - Open Arms Family and Educational Services has received a $21,000 grant through the Youth Program Resilience Fund of Lilly Endowment Inc.

Open Arms will use the grant to help address COVID-19 related expenses, including reimbursement for the purchase of supplies and equipment for cleaning or personal protection, technology for virtual learning and other needs, modest site modifications and general operations impacted by the pandemic.

With this support, Open Arms will be able to continue its commitment to serving neglected, abused, and troubled youth, by providing homes and education to those who need hope in a desperate time in their lives. Open Arms exist to provide hope for Indiana youngsters.

The grant to Open Arms is one of 297 agencies and organizations that Lilly Endowment has made grants to through the Youth Program Resilience Fund to help youth-serving organizations across Indiana adapt their work to challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants from this fund are part of more than $170 million in grants Lilly Endowment has made to help organizations serve individuals and communities amid the pandemic.

Open Arms, a 501(3)c nonprofit agency operating since 1985, provides mentoring, counseling and training programs. Open Arms deals with delinquency prevention, positive youth development and mental health services for youths in court placement.

The agency operates a group home near Switz City – The Miriam Home for Girls - and a soon to open residential facility in Lyons – The Hebron Home for Boys.

Open Arms assists in foster care to adoption services. The agency also operates an adult/vocational education program – Turning Point Education Center near Switz City - which has been state-recognized multiple years by state officials for excellence. Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with its founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion, and it maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.