Last week, the Williamsburg Health Foundation announced its award of $996,500 to programs supporting health and well-being. The organizations included Child Development Resources, Williamsburg Area Meals-on-Wheels and the Virginia Legacy Soccer Club.
The Foundation’s Board of Trustees bestowed 13 grants in total, aiding behavioral health treatment and intervention, community health, education, food and nutrition, healthcare, and human services.
Formed in 1996, the Foundation is a private nonprofit focused on enhancing access to quality health services and promoting responsible health practices. It has awarded more than $56 million to assist community health initiatives.
“The Williamsburg Health Foundation is proud to be a partner to agencies providing services that improve the health and long-term wellness of people living in this community,” said Douglas J. Myers, chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, in a Dec. 3 news release.
Health Foundation president Jeanne Zeidler said the demand for health and human services continues to increase for “vulnerable populations” in the Williamsburg area.
“The programs and organizations funded with this round of grant awards are doing important and necessary work to serve our neighbors in need,” she said.
The grants supporting behavioral health treatment and intervention are:
- $50,000 to Bacon Street for family-focused services for youth experiencing problems with alcohol or other drugs, or who are at high risk for such problems. The center lost a large portion of its funding when United Way of Greater Williamsburg decreased its awards grants, and received a grant from Bruton Parish Church in October.
- $15,000 to Child and Family Connection for a conflict resolution group program for children and group counseling for adults charged with assault and battery, and domestic violence.
- $45,000 to Colonial Behavioral Health for the Intensive Outpatient Program that serves adults with severe substance use disorders who need intensive treatment
- $56,000 to York County Division of Juvenile Services for the Psychological and Substance Abuse Services Program which provides early intervention/prevention and substance abuse psycho-education services to adolescents
The grants supporting community health are:
- $29,000 to Community Housing Partners for a health initiative that provides education and access to health care and wellness services for residents at eight low-income communities
- 16,000 to Virginia Legacy Soccer Club for the Community Partnership Program that provides free, after-school soccer and transportation for underserved children in Williamsburg-James City County Schools
The grant supporting education is:
- $78,000 to Child Development Resources for the Parents as Teachers Program that provides early detection of health and developmental concerns, improves parenting practices, and ensures that high risk families of young children are linked to community resources
The grants supporting food and nutrition are:
- $40,000 to Williamsburg Area Meals-on-Wheels for nutritious home-delivered meals and nutrition education for low-income residents
- $15,000 to Grove Christian Outreach Center for access to food for low-income people living in Grove
The grants supporting health care are:
- $426,500 to Olde Towne Medical and Dental Center for basic operating support of the clinic and delivery of high quality clinical services at the community-based Rural Health Clinic
- $26,000 to Olivet Medical Ministry (Lackey Free Clinic) for recruiting and retaining volunteer practitioners to provide medical, dental, mental health, pharmacy and health education services to low-income uninsured patients
The grants supporting human services are:
- $90,000 to Child Development Resources for the Infant and Parent Program that provides family-centered services supports and specialized therapies for infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays
- $110,000 to Peninsula Agency on Aging for the RIDES Program that provides non-emergency medical transportation
For more information about the Williamsburg Health Foundation and their grant process, visit their website.
