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Orlando Health Continues to Support Community Organizations’ Health Initiatives and Team Members’ Community Commitments

Planting new seeds of health and wellness in the community, and continuing to support existing programs, Orlando Health recently awarded more than $230,000 in grants for more than 20 programs and services to improve the health of residents in Central Florida. The grants are part of the Orlando Health Community Grant Program. The health care organization held a special event on July 11, 2017 to present ceremonial checks and recognize the organizations and individuals for their commitment to ensuring health throughout the community.
 
In its second year, the program doubled the number of recipients since its inaugural start in 2016 from 11 to 22. The recipients represent applications from organizations in the community, and applications from Orlando Health team members who are addressing community needs. Support for team member volunteer efforts is a relatively new component to community grant programs across the country, and a unique aspect for health care organizations in the area.
 
“We wanted to find new ways to support community organizations and also efforts of our team members,” said Lainie Fox Ackerman, JD, director, Community Benefit. “The grant program helps Orlando Health to not only learn more about the work that others are doing in our community and connecting with them, but also the great work our team members are doing within our hospitals, that we can take to the community. We are helping to elevate their work, their passions and their impact.”
 
The 22 programs and services meet an array of community needs. To qualify for a grant, a program or service must meet Community Benefit criteria. Community Benefit is defined by programs or activities that provide treatment or promote health and healing as a response to identified community needs and meet at least one of four objectives:
  • Improve access to healthcare services
  • Enhance health of the community
  • Advance medical or healthcare knowledge
  • Relieve or reduce the burden of government or other community efforts
“Community organizations and our team members really brought their A game,” said Fox Ackerman. “It was evident in the overwhelmingly strong applications we received. It was also evident that the word got out about the program – we had significantly more submissions this year than last year.”
 
Following are the organizations, programs and grant amounts:
  • Adult Literacy League, Adult Basic Education, $5,000.00
  • Orange Blossom Family Health, Pediatric Community School Nurse, $10,000.00
  • Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention, Heart & Soul Program, $10,000.00
  • Coalition for the Homeless Central Florida, Center for Women & Families, $10,000.00
  • Dental Care Access Foundation, Hygiene Kits, $10,000.00
  • Florida Department of Health in Seminole County, Goldsboro Farmer's Market, $15,000.00
  • New Hope for Kids, Volunteer and Counseling Development, $13,000.00
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Healthy Food Box Program, $20,000.00
  • Seniors First, Emergency Meals on Wheels, $15,000.00
  • Orlando Health Team Member Application, Car Seat Matters, $5,000.00
  • Orlando Health Team Member Application, Black Nurses Rock – Orlando, HIV/AIDS Education Program, $3,900.00
  • University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Seminole County, Improving Healthy Behaviors in Seminole County Parents, $2,500.00
  • Dave's House, 10th Dave's House, $10,000.00
  • Orlando Health Team Member Application, The Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families Teen Xpress, $8,000.00
  • United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida - Birth Education Training Acceptance, Teen Connection Prenatal Program, $12,275.00
  • Central Florida Commission on Homelessness, Voices of Youth Count for CFL, $10,000.00
  • Children's Home Society of Florida, Early Head Start Program – Baby Vaccinations, $8,000.00
  • Clean the World Foundation, Soap in Schools Program, $10,000.00
  • Healing the Children Florida, Domestic Aid-Local Kids Program, $10,000.00
  • Libby's Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation, Pink Ribbon Garden Project, $7,500.00
  • Zebra Coalition for Youth, Mental Health Counseling - LatinX Community, $20,000.00
  • Grace Medical Home, Heart Healthy Habits, $15,000.00
The Orlando Health Community Grant Program was established to invest back into the community by helping to pilot new ideas and enhance current programs.
 
“The program helps build our relationship with community organizations in order to make a greater impact, and serves as another way of continuing the dialogue and the important work to be done,” said Fox Ackerman.