CLEVELAND — Ever since she was a teenager, Nikki Matlus knew she wanted to do something to give back.
“I had this vision of a nonprofit since I was a young teenager. I grew up in a very poverty-stricken neighborhood, where there was a lot of drugs, there was a lot of violence, there was a lot of poverty,” Matlus said. “So I think growing up and just seeing my environmental factors, and fortunately being able to be blessed to come out of that, I always feel like going back into the community - that’s what I’m meant to do.”
Three years ago, Matlus started her nonprofit called Operation Lean On Me, with the goal of connecting people in Northeast Ohio to resources to best address whatever they may be facing.
“Our goal is to relieve any kind of stress in the community,” she explained. “Whether it’s financially, whether it’s gaining access to any type of foods, goods, services to those that are in need.”
Matlus is a substance abuse counselor, and in working with patients, she said she’s seen the need for basic items such as clothes, hygiene products, and access to other resources, such as mental health services.
“Things such as poverty, unemployment, reentry programs, terminal illness, substance abuse, alcohol,” she said of the areas of focus for Operation Lean On Me. “We try to resource and [are] able to get the people help that they need by giving them where they can go or who they can contact for any kind of help.”
Operation Lean On Me partners with community members and businesses for fundraising efforts, and with other organizations to make an impact. For example, recently Operation Lean On Me worked with Mentors4Minorities to provide meals to kids in a local juvenile detention center, according to Augustine Turner of Mentors4Minorities.
“People need to know that there are people that love you, there are people that believe that second chances are real, there are people out there that are willing to help you and not judge you, and really just hold your hand and walk you through that process,” said Turner.
"It puts a smile on my face when I see them happy and able to utilize what we're able to give out back in the community," Matlus said of the work she does. "But for me, it's never a job. I just feel like it's my purpose."
Matlus said they are always looking for volunteers and donations. If you’d like to help, or if you need assistance, visit her website or Facebook page.