WILSON, N.C. (June 12, 2024) – The Healthcare Foundation of Wilson Board of Directors approved twenty-two new grants to support community projects that focus on solutions to some of the greatest health challenges for Wilson.
Each year, the Healthcare Foundation of Wilson provides responsive grant funding to organizations in the greater Wilson community. The 2024 awards total more than $590,000 in funding for initiatives that focus on solutions with measurable outcomes to address four of the community’s greatest health concerns: access to healthcare, active living/healthy eating, alcohol/substance misuse, and behavioral/mental health.
Grants were awarded to Wilson-based, nonprofit, or governmental agencies who are committed to initiatives that support one or more of the Foundation’s focus areas. “Our community partners play a crucial role in identifying impactful programs that align with our focus areas. The Foundation’s grant awards will strengthen the outcomes from these initiatives and support the collaborative goals set by many organizations serving the Wilson community,” said Paula Benson, Executive Director.
The organizations awarded are:
First Missionary Baptist Church of Lucama was awarded $9,500 to expand their community garden and start a food preparation summer program for youth, ages 5-15. The program will teach children how to tend, harvest, and prepare meals from the yields from the community garden located at the church. The church also plans to expand their Wellness Program, which will include heart healthy and mental health education classes.
NC Cooperative Extension – Wilson County was awarded $5,400 to support four programs sponsored by the organization. The programs are Canning and Preservation Workshops, Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) program, The Healthy Food Challenge, and Global Gourmet. Each program supports hands-on, healthy eating, and active living activities for youth and residents in Wilson.
Seeds of Hope Wilson was awarded $10,000 to support multiple programming options that increase awareness and opportunities for Wilson’s citizens to have access to fresh produce and goods. Participants in their programs will trade seeds with other gardeners, build raised garden boxes, and learn about pollination and honey harvesting. They will also continue providing food and toiletries to those in need in their “Neighborly Food Closet.” Seeds of Hope also partners with youth organizations to offer afterschool education courses focused on gardening, social awareness to food insecurity, and creating farm to table meals.
St. James Christian Church was awarded $8,000 to expand their food bank operations. Not only will the church be able to increase the number of residents they can serve through their bi-monthly distribution events, but they will also offer deliveries to seniors who are homebound due to medical conditions.
The Arc of Wilson County was granted $6,250 to continue the healthy living focus implemented during Camp Sunshine. Camp Sunshine supports participants with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Campers and their families will be encouraged to exercise daily and make better food choices to help build healthy habits and improve overall wellness.
Wesley Shelter, Inc. was awarded $17,885 to develop a fresh food pantry and wellness program for the clients they serve. The funding will help provide nutritional education workshops, meal prep courses, access to healthy food options on site, and physical activity programs to support the physical and mental health needs of domestic and sexual violence survivors.
Wilson Community College was granted $14,044 to address the growing need for mental health support for the employees and students at the college. The funds will initiate an Employee Assistance Program and allow the college to continue offering the Student Assistance Program. Counseling services will be available via face-to-face, virtual, or telephone options, which will help meet the diverse range of needs for its staff and students.
Wilson Community College was granted $18,000 in collaboration with Wilson County Cooperative Extension to offer CPR and AED classes in Spanish to Wilson County farmworkers. The objective is to train supervisors from multiple farms in the Wilson community, then they will train employees at their respective farms how to use the lifesaving techniques and equipment.
Wilson County Department of Social Services was awarded $38,300 to continue Eat Smart, Move More. The focus will continue to promote healthy behaviors including weight loss, education on nutrition, and physical activity. They will also continue to partner with local community organizations to provide education to children and families.
Wilson County Department of Social Services was granted $11,500 to continue offering Making Proud Choices, an evidence-based pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention curriculum for youth ages 12 to 18. This program provides adolescents with the knowledge, confidence, and skills necessary to reduce their risks of STIs, HIV and pregnancy.
Wilson County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was awarded $38,000 to continue their Community Paramedic Program. The purpose of the program is to support post-overdose response, falls reduction, community wellness, and readmission reduction due to drug use. The Community Paramedic supports Wilson residents by creating customized plans and personal check-ins to decrease readmission to the hospital for those with substance misuse issues or for the elderly population that have experienced serious injury due to falls.
Wilson County Health Department was awarded $60,000 to decrease the financial barriers that often hinder care for those uninsured or underinsured. The grant will support the cost of transportation, lab fees, and medical supplies for patients who cannot afford the expenses. The grant will empower patients through innovative solutions that promote self-care.
Wilson County Interfaith Services – Hope Station was granted $41,160 to purchase fresh produce from local farmers to maintain Hope Station’s commitment to offering healthy food options to help reduce and/or prevent obesity. The funds will also be used to purchase healthy shelf-stable food to replace what is not collected in food drives. Participants in the Eat Healthy, Move More program will also set health and fitness goals that will support a more physical and healthier lifestyle.
Wilson County Schools was awarded $43,075 to expand the PGA Tour First Tee Golf Program to 4th and 5th graders in the 13 elementary schools. First Tee is a nationally recognized golf program that builds kids’ confidence and character while also providing physical activity for overall health. The program provides the training, equipment, and lesson plans that integrate life skills and values with the game of golf.
Wilson County Schools was awarded $150,000 to provide an adaptive and inclusive playground for students with special needs at Darden Middle School. The playground will allow the students the ability to participate in outdoor activities like riding an adapted swing, ramps, and safe spaces to crawl and play. The play area will also provide opportunities for all of the school’s students to play together. The play area will be open to parents and caregivers of children who need adaptive equipment during non-school hours.
Wilson County Senior Activity Center was awarded $15,200 to encourage healthy eating, active living, and exercise for participants aged 55 and older. The Senior Center will provide six-week sessions that allows participants hands-on healthy cooking experiences, cooking supplies, and other essentials to promote healthy eating in their homes. Seniors will also have a chance to participant in the Walk with Ease program to help reduce pain related conditions, increase balance, improve walking pace and their overall health.
Wilson County Senior Activity Center received $18,500 to create an education program about the symptoms, resources, communication techniques, and future planning for families and individuals who are aged 55 and older and affected by a dementia diagnosis. Sessions will be designed to empower seniors and their caregivers. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in activities including arts and crafts, fitness classes, music, and social connections through the academy, along with learning strategies to support their loved ones.
Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition was awarded $37,500 to continue to assist with transportation, detox, and treatment costs for the clients of Hope Alliance. The program also helps to create, support, and maintain a relationship not based on punitive action between the Wilson Police Department and those who suffer from substance use disorders. Hope Alliance was created in 2017 to reduce the stigma related to substance use disorders and to reduce barriers to detox and treatment for substance use disorders.
Wilson Education Partnership was awarded $14,000 to expand their Career Health Connections initiative. Students participate in an eight-week program where they visit area healthcare facilities to learn more about the career pathway. The funds will also support the “Learning from the Locals” video library and connecting guest speakers to Health Science classrooms. Last, students will continue to participate in mock job interviews to improve their abilities to speak in public, make community connections, and build confidence.
Wilson Parks and Recreation received $7,400 to continue an exercise program in a group setting for school-aged children, teenagers, and adults with intellectual disabilities. The program will focus on increasing activity frequency by offering weekly exercise classes and incorporating nutrition education and healthy snacks.
Choices Women’s Center was awarded $15,000 to provide education and material support for clients from pregnancy until their child turns one. The classes will be offered in-person and through a virtual platform to help new parents learn how to support their child during their first year of life. Participants will also have the opportunity to earn clothing, food, and educational toys to support their growing child.
Wilson Youth United – The SPOT was awarded $20,930 to implement a music therapy program. Services will be available in small groups, a minimum of once a week, as well as through family engagement programs. Students will have the opportunity to learn mental and behavioral health techniques while being exposed to a variety of musical instruments.
“The Foundation is hopeful that the financial support provided through the grant funding will help these organizations better serve their clients and reduce much of the financial burden associated with the proposed initiatives,” said Krystal Cox, Program Specialist.
About the Healthcare Foundation of Wilson
The Healthcare Foundation of Wilson is a public foundation that was established in February 2014 when Wilson Medical Center was purchased by Duke LifePoint Healthcare. The assets received, as well as prior hospital reserves, provide the funding for the responsive and strategic grants awarded and many of the physical improvements to the hospital. The Foundation’s mission is to invest in collaborative efforts that influence and measurably improve the health and wellness of the greater Wilson community. Since the first grants were issued in 2016, over $56.7 million dollars have been expended. The Foundation remains committed to creating a healthier Wilson community and looks forward to more collaborative partnerships in the future.
For more information about the Healthcare Foundation of Wilson and its programs, visit their website at www.healthcarefoundationofwilson.org.
Upcoming Events & Announcements
Grantee Spotlight – Seeds of Hope Wilson
In today’s age, many children and adults alike take for granted where their food comes from. Seeds of Hope Wilson decided to tackle this problem by teaching their community how to grow gardens. Embedded within this simple mission is an opportunity to address a more challenging problem, to decrease food insecurities. Wilson, while growing and thriving in so many areas, is still a low-wealth community with unemployment rates being some of the highest in the state. Seeds of Hope helps anyone who steps on their property with the necessary skills and resources to grow fresh produce in their backyard.
The partnership between Seeds of Hope Wilson and Healthcare Foundation of Wilson started in 2016 with a $5900 grant. The Foundation has awarded the organization with $31,900 over the past eight years to increase community gardens in Wilson through their Backyard Buddies program, provide after school enrichment activities for children, build food pantries, and more.
The organization is led by Jim Howard, a retired law enforcement officer. His team is an active board and local residents who tend the garden and restock the food pantry weekly. Julie Newton, a passionate and supportive board member shared, “The neighborhood is positively impacted not only by the food itself, but by the beauty of the garden and its role as a gathering place. We also grow gardeners by providing a wide spectrum of education to children and adults, in English and Spanish.”
Two additional programs the staff and board are proud of is the Neighborly Food Closet and the Seeds of Hope Promotoras. The Neighborly Food Closet, filled biweekly with nonperishable foods and hygiene items, is a much appreciated resource that allows hungry people 24/7 access. “We’ve learned a lot over the last couple of years about providing this support, and are looking forward to using that knowledge to construct a new and better pantry, ” shared Howard.
The Seeds of Hope Promotoras connects with the Spanish speaking community in many ways, especially with newly arrived families needing help with school registration, FAFSA, GEDs, and other issues that may arise. Afterschool programming for English.
language learners, including tutoring and 4-H club meetings, reinforces academic learning and offers a friendly, comfortable atmosphere for those attending. The Promotoras’ annual Day of the Dead festival at the Whirligig Park provides a celebratory gathering place for the Mexican community near and far, and is an unprecedented opportunity for Wilsonians to experience the beauty of authentic cultural traditions from different parts of Mexico, including food, dancing, crafts, and music. Seeds of Hope is so honored to help bring this event to life.
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson is proud to support the efforts at Seeds of Hope Wilson. Newton shared, “We see the funding we receive from local donors as a vote of confidence in the work we are doing.” The Foundation looks forward to our continued partnership, seeing the great work, lives touched, and the impact on health and wellness inspired by this organization.
Grantee Spotlight – Career Health Connections, Wilson Education Partnership (WEP)
In 2020 Career Health Connections was born. Under the leadership of Robin Williams, selected Wilson County Schools junior and senior students get the opportunity to participate in hands-on experiences in the healthcare field. Local healthcare agencies volunteer their time and resources to host students and give them an opportunity to see the day in the life of a healthcare professional. The program lasts for nine weeks, with two cohorts selected per school year. Students who participate in this program:
- Receive hands-on experiences, with health care professionals, in Radiology, Lab, Pharmacy, Dental and Nursing at Wilson Medical Center and Carolina Family Health Centers
- Get HIPPA and Confidentiality training provided by Area L AHEC
- Tour Barton College Nursing and Health Science areas
- Tour EMS, including an ambulance, and the 911 Call Center
- Work with patient mannequins at Wilson Community College with the nursing staff and tour the campus
- Receive Narcan training and substance abuse education from Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition
Students who complete the entire program also receive a $100 scholarship at their school’s Awards Day.
When speaking to students who participate in the program, they share that the program gives them an opportunity they wouldn’t otherwise have. Many students’ schedules are packed with high school required courses, leaving little time for exploratory electives. Using this format, allows these students a mind shifting experience.
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson is proud to support this program through our responsive grant program. This is WEP’s first grant from the Foundation that totaled $14,000. Our goal is to continue supporting Wilson through our mission and focus areas aligned with the health and wellness needs of our community. This grant is a shining example of the work going on in Wilson and exemplifies a program that aligns with several of our focus areas. The Foundation looks forward to our continued support of initiatives like Career Health Connections. To learn more about the Career Health Connections program, visit WEP’s website at wilsonedpartnership.com.