New Member Induction

We formally inducted Kevin and Lisa Kostalnick into the club on Friday.  They are sponsored by TJ and Ashley, and have supported the Chili Open for many years.

Friday’s Speaker: Erin Gillest –The Purpose of Change

Last Friday, we welcomed Erin Gillest, who spoke about the work of The Purpose of Change, a nonprofit operating under the Robert Dick Foundation.

Erin shared how The Purpose of Change was formed after the loss of a close friend, out of a desire to help people feel less alone during some of life’s most difficult moments. The organization focuses on outreach to individuals struggling with homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, and financial instability — meeting people where they are and helping them connect with the resources they need.

As a mental health and addiction counselor, Erin is also part of a local crisis response team that works alongside police and firefighters. Their goal is to divert individuals experiencing mental health or addiction crises away from jail and toward treatment, support, and stability whenever possible.

A major part of the organization’s work includes biweekly homeless outreach efforts using a mobile trailer. Volunteers travel throughout Cuyahoga, Lorain, and surrounding counties, providing essentials such as clothing, hygiene supplies, food, hot coffee, Narcan kits, tents, sleeping bags, phones, and resource information. The team makes a point of reaching individuals living in outdoor encampments, not just those accessing shelters.

Thanks to generous community support — including donations from our club — The Purpose of Change was able to assist hundreds of individuals in a single month and help 14 families at Christmas by providing gifts and basic necessities. Erin expressed heartfelt gratitude for the Rotary Club’s generosity, noting how impactful the support has been for those they serve.

The organization also welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds, including individuals in recovery who are looking for meaningful ways to give back. In addition to outreach, they help connect people to detox and inpatient treatment, therapy, recovery programs, transportation, and sober living resources — often staying with individuals to make calls and arrange next steps when they lack phones or support.

Erin closed by emphasizing that sometimes the most important thing they offer is simply human connection — letting people know they are seen, heard, and not alone.

Thank you to Erin Gillest and The Purpose of Change for the vital work they are doing in our community.