BUCYRUS—Keli Clark founded her organization, Project Noelle, after living through a nightmare no mother wants to ever have to face.
On July 30, 2017, her daughter Noelle passed away from an overdose. Clark started Project Noelle in December of 2017.
“Noelle left behind three sons, two of which are identical twin boys that I am now raising. When all this happened and I was not only grieving but was in a state of shock as well, I had these two little boys that were sad, confused and full of questions and I didn’t know how to answer them,” said Clark. “How could I explain that their Mommy wasn’t coming back because of a drug overdose?”
It was then that Clark realized all the children that were being affected by this horrible drug epidemic.
“After a lot of prayers, I decided to start Project Noelle to help all of these children for Christmas here in Erie County and it has just grown tremendously from there,” said Clark.
She has worked tirelessly in her quest to help the children affected by the drug epidemic that has swept across the country and Project Noelle is now located in 17 Ohio counties and six counties in Florida.
“We stay busy year-round! We help with emergency clothes and diapers, Christmas, Easter, Kids support groups, teen support groups, back-to-school haircuts, and more,” said Clark. “It is very important that these kids know that none of what has happened is their fault and that they matter.”
She said the organization has been fortunate to be able to do all of this with the help of volunteers, and only recently a few grants.
“With the pandemic came a rise in overdose deaths which leaves more and more children without parents and we need to concentrate on them to help end this cycle of addiction and to teach them ways to deal with any childhood trauma before they take it into adulthood with them,” said Clark.
Project Noelle is now helping children affected by addiction throughout Crawford County.
“We are so happy to now be in Crawford County and to be able to assist the kids in the community, along with the grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and others who are now raising these kids,” said Clark. “We have our kids groups starting in June, and we had a very successful Christmas 2020 and Easter 2021 season.”
She said Project Noelle for Crawford County is in need of more volunteers from the community.
“Even if it is just a small amount of time. We are looking forward to anything we can do to help the kids and families of Crawford County,” said Clark.
To volunteer or if you need assistance from Project Noelle, contact Keli Clark and her staff at 419-271-2107, email Keli Clark, visit the Project Noelle Crawford County’s Facebook page or website.