2016 Healthcare Foundation of Wilson Grantees

Healthcare Foundation of Wilson invests $1.3 million in community projects

Healthcare Foundation of Wilson invested $1.3 million in community projects that focused on solutions to some of Wilson’s greatest health challenges.  Nineteen approved grants were announced August 16 during a luncheon at Wilson Community College

The Healthcare Foundation of Wilson prioritizes grant funding for projects that focus on sustainable solutions with measurable outcomes to address four of the community’s greatest health concerns, including the prevention of adolescent pregnancy, alcohol and substance abuse, obesity and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The 2016 grant recipients will address one or more of the four areas of health concern.

Barton College has been awarded a grant of $125,000 to partner with Margaret Hearne Elementary School and address generational and cultural challenges of childhood obesity in our community. The project takes a two-prong approach of increasing awareness and access to childhood obesity education while enhancing the well-being of students, families and nearby residents. Funding supports the creation of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Playgarden, complementary programming, clinical placements and an intensive camp.

Hope Station has received $30,000 to launch a pilot project designed to help selected clients make healthy food choices with limited financial resources. Using the new Client Choice Pantry, project participants will receive nutrition education and select healthy foods based on their own health needs, cooking abilities and preferences. The project includes monitoring of health-related outcomes and collaboration from Barton College.

The Imagination Station has been awarded $246,000 to support the new Wilson Center for the Science of Health and Sports. The new center will include spaces to learn about the human body and the need for physical activity with opportunities to use a glass-wall court, skycycle, rock-climbing wall and other training machines. Partners will be engaged to help monitor and measure health outcomes for nearby residents.

Integrity Unlimited Community Development Corp. has been awarded a grant of $10,000 to expand its core programs to help reduce childhood obesity and empower people of all ages to take an active role in the health of the community. Grant funding supports the expansion of community gardens, increased health education and fitness opportunities and physician assistance to help track measurable outcomes.

Open Door Community Outreach Center received $1,200 to implement an outreach project that uses community-based evidence to reduce teen pregnancy and increase awareness about STDs. The program will focus on youth ages 13 to 18.

Saint James Christian Church has received $15,000 to provide education and training classes focused on healthy food choices and physical fitness. Participants will be monitored and celebrated for their efforts and healthy changes.

Seeds of Hope Wilson has received $5,900 to support a program with Vick School. The goal is to increase the number of students, staff and parents who are making healthy choices as a result of coordinated health and wellness opportunities for the school community.

SPOT (Sharing Positive Outcomes Together) has received $60,000 to support a three-part, age-specific health and fitness program to reduce obesity and lower BMI for youth ages 4 to 15 and their families. The three components include physical activities, healthy foods education and STEM-based learning.

Wilson 20/20 Community Vision has been awarded a two-year grant of $200,000 to support the Youth Master Plan and implementation of the Beyond 21 Plan. Both plans include strategies to address adolescent pregnancy, alcohol and drug abuse, obesity and STDs. The grant funding supports Wilson 20/20 in a lead role to track collective data for impact and progress toward common goals and objectives and identify relative and reliable data relevant to changing outcomes.

Wilson Community Improvement Association (WCIA) received $20,000 to launch a one-year pilot program to implement community initiatives aimed at reducing obesity and improving healthy eating. WCIA will use an evidence-based strategy and intergenerational approach for maximum impact.

Wilson County Health Department has received a grant for $220,000 to support the first school-based health center in Wilson. The grant funding supports a collaborative effort with Wilson County Schools, Wilson Department of Social Services and Wilson 20/20 to reduce learning barriers and encourage students to communicate health needs and concerns that otherwise could impact school attendance and student success. Health education from a holistic perspective will address all of the priority areas identified by the Healthcare Foundation of Wilson.

Wilson County Schools has been awarded $25,000 to support the implementation of MATCH (Motivating Adolescents with Technology to Choose Health), which is a school-based childhood obesity intervention program that uses a body-systems approach to teach 7^th grade students how the choices they make impact their future health. The approach includes lessons taught in Healthful Living, STEM, Language Arts and Social Studies. MATCH also provides adapted lessons, school/district level reporting, bullying reporting and an online curriculum and data management system.

Wilson County Schools received $48,000 to support the installation of eight walking tracks and monitors at Hearne, Gardners, Rock Ridge and Stantonsburg elementary schools and Darden, Forest Hills, Speight and Toisnot middle schools. The focus on the project is to provide a safe place to exercise and increase the ability of students to participate in physical activities and to meet state requirements for students.

Wilson County Department of Social Services has received $150,000 to support and implement Eat Smart Move More, which is an evidence-based program that focuses on individual health behaviors to reduce obesity. The initial focus will include simultaneous work on individual, family and community levels of responsibility to decrease consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. A marketing campaign will include billboards, radio advertisements and social media. Water bottle refilling stations will also be installed in key locations, including schools, businesses and faith-based organizations.

Wilson County Substance Abuse Coalition has received a grant for $45,000 to implement a marketing campaign focused on changing youth perceptions of risks while reducing access and use of prescription medications. The project will include drug identification training for education professionals.

Wilson Family YMCA has received $20,000 to expand the Girls on the Run program (GOTR) for girls in 3rd through 8th grade and the STRIDE running program for boys in 3rd through 5th grade. The programs help youth achieve fitness and health goals with a 20-lesson curriculum that promotes good choices for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.

Wilson Family YMCA and Save-a-Youth (SAY) have been awarded $46,000 to support a program to promote fitness, address obesity and empower residents in an underserved community. The grant funding supports collaboration with community partners to develop a new fitness center in an accessible location where individuals and families can learn and participate in physical fitness activities.

Wilson Parks and Recreation Department has been awarded $10,000 to support outreach to intellectually challenged school age children and adults. Grant funding supports the implementation and monitoring of a new exercise program with specific classes offered to all ages with a focus on increasing physical activity time and reducing obesity and other related medical concerns.

Wilson Preparatory Academy received $50,000 for a project that will enable parents and children to choose healthier meals at school by using an online menu selection. Nutrition and fitness education will also be provided, and the grant project will include the addition of a walking track and fitness equipment.

About Healthcare Foundation of Wilson:

Healthcare Foundation of Wilson was established in 2014 to support the health care needs of the greater Wilson community. The foundation is committed to improving the health and wellness of all people by investing in strategic initiatives with measurable outcomes. To learn more, call 252-281-2105 or visit www.healthcarefoundationofwilson.org.