Owensboro Health announced its 2019 Community Health Investments Grant Program recipients on Thursday, awarding $644,405 to 37 agencies throughout the region.
The Community Health Investments Grants provide in-kind and financial support for health, human services and arts projects and programming throughout the region. Since 2009 Owensboro Health has granted more than $6.7 million to local agencies.
Owensboro Health Director of Community Engagement Debbie Zuerner Johnson said the grant process began in January and Owensboro Health works very closely with applicants to ensure they are successful in applying for funds. Owensboro Health received over 50 letters of intent this year.
“This is a long, arduous process for applicants,” she said. “We want to make sure every application gets the most comprehensive review it deserves.”
One funded project was the Daviess County Public Library’s story walk. In an inventive way of combining exercise for the body and mind, DCPL will install storyboards along the walking path at Moreland Park. Twenty frames supported on aluminum posts will hold interchangeable stories to be switched out seasonally.
“The three components this will focus on are early literacy, family engagement and physical exercise,” said DCPL Community Engagement Manager Shannon Sandefur. “We hope this will create memorable moments for families.”
Sandefur said the project could be completed as early as the end of this year.
Another grant recipient, Daviess County Diabetes Coalition, will be implementing their project by September.
Merritt Bates-Thomas, program manager for the organization, said funding from Owensboro Health will be put toward their CARE Direct initiative. All participants will receive a blood pressure monitor and six self-guided lessons to better learn how to manage their own blood pressure. The funds will also supply coalition participants with A1C tests, which measure glucose levels from the previous three months.
“These initiatives are not meant to replace physicians,” Bates-Thomas said. “They are meant to educate people on how to better manage their health.”
Other funded projects included an ADA compliant bathroom for Lil’ Sluggers T-ball at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, vision screening machines for Owensboro Public Schools, meal programs for seniors, kitchen and dining room renovations for The Salvation Army and a workout area for the H.L. Neblett Center.
All of the grants targeted at least one of the health system’s four priority focus areas: tobacco and related diseases, older adults and aging, arts in healing and children and school health.
The following were all recipients of Owensboro Health’s Community Health Investments Grants and the title of their funded project:
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Bluegrass Music Programming as a Means to Enrich Community Wellness
Brescia University
Brescia University Clinical Psychology Program
CASA of Ohio Valley
Breaking the Cycle
Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club
Exergames
Community Dental Clinic
Expanding Access to Oral Healthcare, Educating the Community, and School Screenings Project
Daviess County Diabetes Coalition
Reducing Chronic Disease, Increasing Resiliency: CARE Direct
Daviess County Public Library
Get Healthy @ the Library!
Daviess County Public Schools
The Umbrella Project: A Mindful Movement
Girls Incorporated of Owensboro Daviess County
Girls Minds + Bodies Initiative
Green River District Health Department – DC-CAP
DC-CAP Improving Access to Care
Green River District Health Department – Quit Now
Quit Now Kentucky Program
H.L. Neblett Community Center
H.L. Neblett Comprehensive Health Initiative Project
Hancock County Partners Coalition
E-Cigarette Prevention and Cessation
Help Office of Hancock County, Inc.
Reducing Food Insecurity and Increasing Access to Basic Needs Assistance in Hancock County
Hope2All, Inc.
Combat Food Insecurities for Families and Seniors
Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky
Phase IV Palliative Care of Western Kentucky Continuing Education Drive
International Center of Kentucky
Refugee Health Coordination
Light of Chance, Inc.
Breathe Youth Arts Residency Program
Muhlenberg Co. Opportunity Center
Exploring Healthy Living
New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services
Transforming Trauma
Owensboro Dance Theatre, Inc.
Dance for Wellness Project
Owensboro Museum of Fine Art
Riverartes IV: The Art of Placemaking
Owensboro Public Schools
Comprehensive District Vision Project
O.P.S. Foundation for Excellence
Owensboro High School Biomedical Project
Owensboro Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition, Inc.
Community, Business and Professional Awareness Campaign for Suicide Prevention
Owensboro Symphony Orchestra
Music “On Call”
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Little Sluggers Program
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Little Sluggers T-ball League
RiverPark Center
2019-2020 Broadway and Pay What You Can Program
Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County, Inc.
Senior Community Center Frozen Meal Project
Success Through Mentoring- Spencer County
Success Through Mentoring
Supplies Over Seas
Hospital Recycling Partner
Susan G. Komen Evansville Tri-State
Saving Lives in Western Kentucky
The Salvation Army
Kitchen and Dining Room Renovation
The Way of Rockport Indiana, Inc.
Healthy Living Skills: Substance Abuses & Dental Program
Theatre Workshop of Owensboro
Spotlight on Kids
United Methodist Home of Kentucky, Inc. – Mary Kendall Campus
Capstone Project
Wendell Foster’s Campus for Developmental Disabilities
Day Training Facility Upgrade
