Ted St. John, Chief Executive of Hope Town Ohio, has been appointed to the state Board of Directors of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation in a groundbreaking development. This appointment marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis as Hope Town Ohio takes a seat at the table to contribute to the statewide distribution of over $800 million in opioid settlement dollars.
Reflecting on this significant milestone, Ted St. John shared his feelings as he stepped into his first official state board meeting, stating, “I couldn’t help but feel the irony of a person with the lived experience of being hopelessly addicted to opioids from 2003 to 2009 never predicting or expecting one day I’d be selected to sit on a board to distribute funds from those same manufacturers. I sincerely hope that others will be helped by this massive effort and find meaning and purpose, as I have.”
This news comes from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation’s first public meeting of 2024, held on February 14, 2024, at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce offices in Columbus. Larry Kidd, the outgoing Board Chair, announced his decision to resign, with Vice Chair Don Mason serving as the interim chair until the annual meeting in May 2024.
As the Foundation gears up for its 2024 Regional Grant Cycle, Executive Director Alisha Nelson and Grant Oversight Committee Chair Tom Gregoire 
provided a comprehensive update during the meeting. The 2024 Regional Grant Request for Proposals (RFP) is in its finalization stage, and the Foundation has launched a new Grant Headquarters webpage at OneOhioFoundation.com/grants to support potential applicants. This page will be regularly updated with crucial information about the grant application process and access to the OneOhio Grant Portal.
Key Dates:
- March 4: RFP released and posted; Registration opens in OneOhio Grant Portal
- April 2: Application opens in OneOhio Grant Portal
- May 3: Applications due in OneOhio Grant Portal
Hope Town Ohio’s involvement in the OneOhio Recovery Foundation comes at a critical time, with the Foundation focusing on engaging with communities and addressing the gaps in substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts statewide. Ted St. John’s role as a Board member reflects the real-world impact of the opioid crisis and the potential for positive change through collaboration and shared experiences.
Ted shared, “I’m honored and humbled to be appointed to the state Board of Directors for this Foundation. I’m excited to be part of distributing these opioid settlement dollars to help fund gaps and services in our communities.”
As the OneOhio Recovery Foundation continues its mission to distribute funds that can save lives and strengthen communities, the addition of Hope Town Ohio to the Board is a testament to the power of lived experiences in driving meaningful change. Together, they aim to create a future where individuals struggling with addiction find hope, support, and the opportunity for recovery.
For more information about the OneOhio Recovery Foundation and its initiatives, visit OneOhioFoundation.com.