2022 Healthcare Foundation of Wilson Grant Recipients

Hope Station was granted $12,000 to assist with the procurement and distribution of both shelf-stable and fresh foods to meet the nutritional needs of pantry clients and support previously funded healthy eating initiatives.  This year’s focus will include providing education on the benefits of using herbs, spices and seasonings instead of oils, fats and salt for cooking.

Love A Sea Turtle (LAST) has been awarded $24,000 to provide youth activities that help develop new physical fitness skills and self-confidence. Expanding on a previous Wilson on Wheels (WOW) program, LAST will coordinate Wilson on Water to include a two-week sailing camp for The SPOT youth along with concurrent options for kayaking, cycling and golfing. The WOW focus is on exposing youth to outdoor activities that keep them moving in fun, new ways while also providing education about healthy food choices.

Peace Church was granted $20,000 to partner with kids and adolescents to help them understand the importance of physical activity, get them involved in daily physical activity, and track their progress as they work to become more active and healthy individuals. Funding will support the purchase of soccer, training and agility equipment.

The Arc of Wilson County was granted $10,000 to implement a healthy living aspect including daily exercise activities for Camp Sunshine participants with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Participants will learn about healthy food choices and receive healthy snack options.

Wilson County Department of Social Services has been granted $20,000 to continue offering Making Proud Choices, an evidence-based pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention curriculum to youth ages 12 to 18. The program provides adolescents with the knowledge, confidence and skills necessary to reduce their risk of STIs, HIV and pregnancy.

Wilson County Department of Social Services received $50,000 to continue Eat Smart Move More in collaboration with Wilson County Health Department and Foundation YMCA. The focus will continue to be on core health behaviors, and the team will partner with local after-school programs to reach children and families. Weight-loss challenges will include education from a nutritionist, opportunities for physical activity and healthy lunch and learns. Outreach will include healthy meals and produce for older and disabled adults and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers.

Wilson County Health Department received $25,000 to implement Healthy Choices, which includes the Real Baby Program and Making Proud Choices. The evidence-based teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease prevention programs teach youth about the emotional, financial, psychological, and social aspect of parenting. Healthy Choices also focuses on the skills and confidence teens need to make healthy decisions for their personal health and well-being.

Wilson County Schools – Wilson Academy of Applied Technology (WAAT) received $90,000 in grant funding to purchase equipment and state-of-the-art simulators for a Healthcare Lab. WAAT is an innovative high school in Wilson County focused on bridging the gap between workforce needs and education creating a pipeline of workforce ready citizens. Funding will provide medical equipment needed to help train WAAT students who are earning a Nurse Aide Certification and pre-nursing skills through Wilson Community College.

Wilson County Schools has been awarded $7,500 to support the continued coordination of Motivating Adolescents with Technology to CHOOSE Health (MATCH), which is one of the most successful school-based childhood obesity intervention programs. MATCH uses a body-systems approach to empower students to make healthy choices for eating and physical activity through lessons and activities taught in Healthful Living, Science, Math, Language Arts and Social Studies. 

Wilson County Schools was awarded $85,000 to implement a certified NC Pre-K Playground at Lucama Elementary School. The program is designed to provide high-quality educational experiences to enhance school readiness for eligible 4-year-olds by preparing them in the five developmental domains, including health and physical development.

Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition – Hope Alliance has been awarded$37,500 to assist with transportation, detox, and treatment costs for the clients of Hope Alliance in response to a rise in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hope Alliance was created in 2017 to reduce the stigma related to substance use disorders and reduce barriers to detox and treatment for substance use disorders.

Wilson Parks and Recreation received $8,000 to continue an exercise program in a group setting for school-age children, teenagers and adults with intellectual disabilities. The program team will focus on increasing activity frequency by offering four exercise classes per week and incorporating nutrition education and healthy snacks.

Wilson Police Athletics and Activities League was awarded $25,000 to initiate a Total Child Mentorship Program for ages 9-21. Youth will meet bi-weekly with Wilson Police role models and civilian volunteers to participate in activities that address topics including substance abuse, violence, health and wellness.

Wilson Youth United – The SPOT has been granted $68,500 to support a Go Play initiative to move kids from unhealthy hours of screen time to healthy hours of outdoor time by providing access to sports, coaches, outdoor games and programs in a structured, safe environment. The SPOT will focus on increasing outdoor play participation and reducing overweight and obesity among students. Activities will include traditional sports and non-traditional activities such as outdoor skating, in-line (no contact) hockey, hybrid football, kayaking and sailing.