Lenawee Community Foundation Re-Grants Michigan Health Endowment Fund Grant to Improve Health and Wellness of Lenawee Seniors and Youth
The Lenawee Community Foundation has been awarded a grant of $124,865 from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to support initiatives aimed at improving the quality of health for youth and seniors in our community. “We are excited to collaborate this year with community foundations on projects that seek to enhance the well-being of Michigan’s children and seniors in their local communities,” said Paul Hillegonds, executive director of Michigan Health Endowment Fund.
The Lenawee Community Foundation will re-grant funding to local nonprofits for programs addressing: access to healthy food; wellness and fitness programs; technology enhancements; access to mental health services; and health related transportation needs. The agencies that have been awarded to date include:
- Catholic Charities – $2,500 to purchase video equipment for the Child Advocacy Center and $6,700 to provide Counseling Services.
- Family Counseling & Children’s Services – $7,800 to cover one year of fresh food for the Catherine Cobb Domestic Violence Shelter and $6,500 to provide clients 100 hours of counseling services.
- Lenawee County Health Department – $6,000 to provide vaccinations for seniors and youth, plus $6,000 for transportation for follow-up care for children exposed to lead and women in the breast cancer and cervical cancer program, as well as vaccines for homebound and/or disabled seniors.
- The Salvation Army – $5,000 to support the Fresh Food Initiative providing fresh fruits and vegetables to local families in need.
- The YMCA of Lenawee County – $5,650 to encourage and involve youth in physical activity and help offset the cost of membership fees, and eliminating waiting lists.
Additional grants will be awarded from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund through the Lenawee Community Foundation in the near future.
“We are pleased to partner with the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to improve the health of Lenawee County residents. This grant will strengthen the Foundation work in partnership with local nonprofits to address basic health issues, including through our new program, Lenawee Cares” stated Suann Hammersmith, President & CEO of the Lenawee Community Foundation.
“The Michigan Health Endowment Fund board is proud to support a variety of very successful programs already positively impacting the health of Michigan’s children and seniors as a result of our first grant funding effort,” said Rob Fowler, board chairman. “We look forward to building additional relationships with Michigan’s community foundations and other non-profit organizations as they continue their focused work to improve the health of Michigan’s most vulnerable residents.”
The mission of the Michigan Health Endowment Fund is to improve the health of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of health care with special emphasis on the health and wellness of children and seniors. The fund was created as part of 2013 state legislation that allowed Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to become a nonprofit mutual health insurer. Nearly $38 million in grants were awarded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund last year.
The Lenawee Community Foundation assists individuals, businesses, communities, and organizations in achieving their charitable goals for our community in the areas of health, civic projects, culture, education and human services. To explore options for improving the quality of life in Lenawee For good For ever contact Suann Hammersmith or call 517-423-1729.
