Why The Brightside Project?
The Brightside Project, a faith-based 501c3 non-profit organization, was launched in 2016 by a father-daughter team, Scott Lewis and Lisa Vittorio. With more than 30 years of combined experience working with low-income and underserved families, they decided to launch a non-profit that would reach out directly to children. Children in Columbiana County and surrounding communities in Northeast Ohio are are facing multiple facets of uncertainty in the home, community and at school.
They are also suffering from academic & complex social-emotional and mental health issues including depression, anxiety, violence, bullying, substance abuse and suicide ideations. The Brightside Project recognizes the struggles and difficulties that children are facing and understands that it will take a comprehensive approach to support each child so they can reach their full potential.
We served more than 17,000 children in 2024.
Programs Overview
Programming is aimed at building resiliency and giving hope to children. The Brightside Project strives to equip and empower children by nurturing and developing their wellbeing.
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Qualifying children can come to The Brightside Project in Salem, Ohio, to pick out food items and personal care items to take home twice a month.
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A partnership with the Imagination Library of Ohio that gives one book a month to enrolled children, ages birth through 5, in Columbiana County.
SPONSOR A CHILD FOR $25
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Backpacks for Kids gives PreK-12 students in Columbiana County and rural Mahoning County a backpack of their choice filled with grade appropriate school supplies.
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Clothes and shoes voucher program for Salem students to get them ready to go back to school.
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The Brightside Project has stepped up in times of crisis to make sure children in Columbiana County and rural Mahoning County have food to eat. During COVID-19, the immigration crisis, and the East Palestine train derailment crisis, The Brightside Project has been there.
MORE INFORMATION
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Children receive warm coats and gear for the upcoming season.
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Helping children have a bright Christmas by giving toys and gifts directly to qualifying children.
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Bright Easter is a program that gives Easter baskets filled with goodies to qualifying children in Columbiana and rural Mahoning counties.
Maslow’s Heirarchy of Needs and Our Mission
The Brightside Project models their efforts off Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory, believing that they must first meet a child’s basic needs that will lead to a trusting and loving relationship that ultimately equips and empowers the child to reach their full potential. Using the Search Institute’s Developmental Assets Framework, The Brightside Project’s goal is to increase the building blocks needed in a child’s life for them to grow up caring, healthy and responsible.
Our mission is to equip and empower children to reach their full potential.
Contact The Brightside Project
We want to hear from you!