SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The 1st Source Bank Foundation announced it has awarded Oaklawn a $35,000 technology grant for community members and staff to expand their knowledge of mental health and substance use issues.

Officials say Oaklawn’s newly renovated Community Education Center in South Bend will host several critical programs for staff and community, with emphasis on local professional expertise, destigmatizing mental health and substance use treatment, and equipping and empowering community members to offer support and increase protective factors within at-risk groups.

1st Source officials say the grant will help ensure important programming and its required technology is available to the community.

“While not everyone will need to access care through Oaklawn, everyone can play a role in supporting mental health,” said Becky Zakowski, Executive Director of the Oaklawn Foundation. “It’s our intention that people who attend these programs will be empowered to respond when someone in their orbit is struggling, and to confidently serve as a source of support.”