Our History

The Nord Center was founded in 1947 and was named in 1970 in honor of Walter G. Nord (1884-1967), founder of Nordson Corporation and lifelong supporter of our agency’s services and mental health initiatives designed to help all the citizens of Lorain County.

Walter G. Nord came to Ohio shortly before World War I to supervise machinery for a sandstone-quarrying company, but soon became an entrepreneur.

Along with his wife Virginia, Walter established a tradition of corporate and community leadership and wide-ranging philanthropy. This philanthropy continues today via the Nord Family Foundation, headquartered in Amherst.

In 1970, following Walter Nord’s death in 1967, the Lorain County Guidance Center was renamed the Walter G. Nord Community Mental health Center. It wasn’t until 1996 that the agency officially changed its name to The Nord Center.

The Nord Center is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. We rely on fee for service income from the mental health services we offer coupled with grants and donations in order to serve our community. Click here to donate to The Nord Center.

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