North Penn Community Health Foundation
Awards $903,500 in Grants
LANSDALE, PA – The North Penn Community Health Foundation
has awarded 18 grants totaling $903,500 to local nonprofit organizations
dedicated to improving the health and well-being of at-risk populations.
With this round of grants, Foundation grant support to local nonprofit
organizations since its inception in 2002 surpasses $4.3 million.
The grants range in size from $10,000 to $130,500, with the largest
single grant to the Health Promotion Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania
in continued support and expansion of WISE SNAC, a school based obesity
prevention and nutrition program.
The WISE SNAC grant will work with three school districts including
Souderton Area School District, Wissahickon School District and North
Penn School District including students, parents, school staff, faculty,
administration, school board and community members to implement a comprehensive
school and community based program to prevent and reduce the negative
impact of childhood obesity. Strategies will include promoting nutritional
and physical activity through the school day; effectively disseminating
nutritional and physical activity information between elementary schools
and parents; identifying and encouraging community partners to commit
to and increase their ability to deliver resources to complement the
school district’s programs; and continuing to monitor progress
and issues through interactive means and data analysis in partnership
with the University of Pennsylvania.
The Food Trust was awarded $100,000 over fifteen months to assist
emergency food providers in the North Penn area increase procurement
and distribution of nutritious foods and promote healthy eating habits,
especially among vulnerable populations, such as low-income families
and the elderly. This grant seeks to engage diverse stakeholders and
enhance the community’s capacity to serve needy families. The
Food Trust will provide technical assistance designed to reduce the
systemic factors that contribute to poor nutrition and food insecurity
and improve the emergency food system. The goal of this project is
to reduce or eliminate inefficiencies and improve coordination, collaboration
and communications among primary stakeholders.
A grant of $115,000 over two years was awarded to the Senior Adult
Activity Center of Indian Valley in support of organizational restructuring
to better serve the needs of older adults and prepare to serve the
more expansive and varying needs of baby boomers. This project will
incorporate several of the BoomerANG study recommendations to better
serve the needs of existing and emerging 50+ populations. SAAC of Indian
Valley plans to develop new partnerships with businesses and other
non profit organizations, design
and implement an expanded community volunteer program, re-brand and
rename its
organization, and implement a model home support program designed to
enhance opportunities for frail elderly to remain living in their own
homes.
Montgomery County Foundation was awarded $125,000 over two years to
establish Info-Link an accessible health and human services web-based
information and referral directory. InfoLink will provide easy access
to information to assist county residents and providers in making connections
and finding information to meet identified needs. “The number
one stated County’s regional Collaborative priority is the creation
and operation of an accessible resource directory.” said Russell
Johnson, President and CEO of the Foundation. “Up-to date access
to information is important for both professionals and citizens who
need quick access and knowledge of eligibility criteria, hours of operation,
fee structures and programs to address their needs.”
Other grants awarded include:
$58,000 to Montgomery County Community College in continued support
and expansion of its oral health initiative: Eliminating Dental Caries
Across the Lifespan.
$55,000 to the Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership in continued
support of a collaborative dental practice and outreach program;
$51,500 to the Wellness Community of Philadelphia to enhance professionally
facilitated services and programs of the Wellness Community at the
Anne McCouch Center;
$50,000 to the Greater North Penn Collaborative for Health and Human
Services in continued support of the North Penn Nonprofit Academy;
$50,000 to the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania to host
symposia for mental health providers designed to assist them in becoming more
active participants in recovery focused treatment planning;
$30,000 to Child, Home and Community in support of North Penn area case management
services;
$25,000 to Indian Valley Housing Corporation to establish a supportive counseling
program for homeless children;
$25,000 to Family Services of Montgomery County in support of a planning grant
to explore various minority outreach strategies within the Asian communities
of the North Penn area;
$20,000 to Family Service Association of Bucks County for case management services
for at-risk, low-income residents of public housing facilities;
$18,500 to Ken-Crest Centers to complete a business plan to support Transition
Map;
$16,000 to Indian Creek Foundation in support of an expansion of its respite
care program;
$14,000 to the Montgomery County Community College Foundation to establish
the Foundation Center Cooperative Collection Resource Library;
$10,000 to the North Penn Valley Boys and Girls Club, Inc. in support of a
pilot program for sedentary youth “Triple Play”; and
$10,000 to the Women’s Center of Montgomery County in support of efforts
to develop a computer-based domestic violence training program.
