Little” things that give us comfort help make a home — knowing that your favorite mug is in the kitchen cabinet, having your own hook on which to hang your jacket or watching birds at the feeder in the front yard.
For more than 30 years, North Coast Community Homes (NCCH) has developed and maintained safe, comfortable community housing for individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness and other disabilities. More than 200 homes across six counties in Northeast Ohio have been customized to serve the special needs of more than 700 individuals.
“Some people say we are ‘just a landlord.’ I like to say we are a landlord with a heart. Of course we provide four walls and a roof. But every person in these homes has a different disability and different needs. Our houses have specific modifications for those living there,” says Rachel Telegdy, NCCH chief development officer.
Fire suppression systems, used to extinguish and prevent the spread of fire, are imperative to community housing, but are expensive. That’s why Telegdy is grateful for the support NCCH has received from Northwest Bank’s Season of Giving Campaign and Kevin Nelson, Northwest Bank region president. Money earmarked for the purchase and maintenance of NCCH fire suppression systems has come from the bank’s charitable foundation as well as employee and customer contributions.
“Northwest Bank is a new partnership for us, and I met Kevin in 2018 through one of our board members. Kevin and his wife personally toured some of our homes to get an idea of what our organization is all about,” says Telegdy. “He also wants his customers to know that Northwest is a downhome, caring bank.”
Nelson says Northwest Bank is very diligent about charitable distributions and always wants to provide funding for those in the community who do the most to help others.
“The residents in the homes have people who supply meals and help make sure they live in a clean environment,” says Nelson. “We want to make sure it is also a safe environment. It’s really a family setting, and that impressed us.”
“The fire suppression systems also mean residents will be safe,” says Telegdy. “Kevin wants to make sure these individuals have the same comforts of home as you or I. He is a super genuine individual.”
Northwest Bank is a full-service financial institution with 19 offices throughout Lorain, Cuyahoga and Summit counties. northwest.com.