Community Health Endowment Announces Funding Awards Totaling $1 Million and Active Living Center Partnership

Following an extensive review of 60 applications, the Board of Trustees of the Community Health Endowment (CHE) is pleased to announce the funding of 20 projects, representing $1,001,458 in funding for FY2009-2010. With this announcement, CHE will have provided $1.5 million in grant awards during the current fiscal year.

Ed Wimes, Chair of the CHE Board of Trustees, says of this year’s funding awards, "Viewed as a package, this funding is a unique convergence of priorities and interests in improving the health of our community. Targeted projects reflect CHE’s focus on prevention and systematic change as a means to address issues such as obesity and health care access.”

  • Develop a community-wide, Healthy Lincoln Partnership to focus on: 1) Implementation of recommendations from the Mayor’s Task Force on the Healthcare Safety Net; 2) Convene community partners to implement one or more highly visible, public/private initiatives for a healthier Lincoln; and 3) Develop strategies to impact health-related policy through advocacy and action. (Lancaster County Medical Society Foundation (fiscal agent) and community partners: $220,000 in year 1; $220,000 in year 2; and $220,000 in year 3)
  • Matching funds to grow and expand the capacity of the People’s Health Center, a priority recommendation of the Mayor’s Task Force on the Healthcare Safety Net. (People’s Health Center: $300,000 in year 1; $300,000 in year 2)
  • Develop a “hub” of patient advocates to connect uninsured individuals to all sources of assistance, a priority recommendation of the Mayor’s Task Force on the Healthcare Safety Net. (Center for People in Need: $176,102 in year 1; $170,580 in year 2; and $173,527 in year 3)
  • Provide peer mental health outreach services and advocacy for uninsured individuals. (Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach: $20,000 in year 1; $10,000 in year 2; and $5,000 in year 3)
  • Matching funds for facility enhancements at KEYA House, a place for adults with behavioral health diagnoses to seek respite and crisis aversion. (Mental Health Association of Nebraska: $13,000)
  • Expand physical activity opportunities among low-income children and youth. (Friends of Woods Tennis, Inc.: $10,128 in year 1; $10,028 in year 2; and $10,028 in year 3)
  • Matching funds for a two-story addition for the Salvation Army, allowing for the creation of new programs to serve children, youth, and families in poverty. (The Salvation Army: $25,000 in year 1; $25,000 in year 2 and $25,000 in year 3)
  • Continue a pilot project that provides no-cost fitness and nutrition classes at various North Lincoln locations. (Abiding Grace Community Church: $25,000)
  • Operational support to Community CROPS for rapid expansion of the Community Garden Program. (Community CROPS: $19,815 in year 1; $14,832 in year 2; and $9,993 in year 3)
  • Operational support for Teach a Kid to Fish, an organization focused on preventing and reducing childhood obesity. (Teach a Kid to Fish: $60,000 in year 1; $60,000 in year 2; and $60,000 in year 3)
  • Provide lactation assistance to women at the Lincoln Medical Education Partnership, WIC clinic. (MilkWorks: $10,000 in year 1; $10,000 in year 2; and $10,000 in year 3)
  • Purchase software to support the Asthma Intervention Project which provides case management services to at-risk youth with asthma. (Saint Elizabeth Foundation: $5,000)
  • Matching funds for facility renovations at the Child Guidance Center, resulting in additional therapists and expanded outpatient services. (Child Guidance Center: $40,000)
  • Matching funds for dental equipment at the People’s Health Center, resulting in the provision of advanced services such as root canals and oral pathology. (People’s Health Center: $10,000)
  • Purchase specialized optometry equipment to provide more and expanded vision services at Clinic with a Heart clinics. (Clinic with a Heart: $11,700)
  • Support for Lincoln Youth Volunteers to provide a two-week summer camp for homeless children that incorporates health and nutrition education. (Volunteer Partners: $9,648)
  • Provide bicycle safety education and implement an exercise and community integration project among Lincoln’s Hispanic/Latino population. (Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department and El Centro de las Americas: $17,750)
  • Purchase exercise equipment to encourage physical activity among Boys and Girls Club participants. (Boys and Girls Club of Lincoln-Lancaster County: $10,000)
  • Sponsor a national expert to present the Safe and Together Model to agencies who address child protection and family violence. (Family Violence Council: $3,815)
  • Provide funding to replace an existing lift and entrance at the Good Neighbor Community Center. (Good Neighbor Community Center: $14,500)

The CHE Board of Trustees also approved a resolution to move forward as a partner with the City of Lincoln and the Great Plains Trails Network (GPTN) in the construction of an “Active Living Center.” The center, scheduled for construction in Union Plaza of Antelope Valley on the southeast corner of 21st and Q Streets, will serve as a cornerstone of healthy, active living in Lincoln. The Active Living Center will house the Great Plains Trails Center, which will include a community meeting area, information on active living and Lincoln’s trail system and public restrooms; as well as CHE offices and meeting area, and a wellness-oriented retail space.

“Antelope Valley and Union Plaza represent a blending of Lincoln’s ideals, culture and vision of the future,” said Mayor Chris Beutler. “The Active Living Center is a perfect addition to this area and will give active living a prominent place in the core of our community. This collaborative project is another sign that it is an exciting time to be living in Lincoln.” he said.

According to Ed Wimes, Chair of the CHE Board of Trustees, “The CHE Board of Trustees believes that this project is an investment in the health of Lincoln. We are pleased to be part of this collaborative and visionary project.” Wimes stressed, “An investment in the Active Living Center will not impact our grant funding to the community. CHE’s commitment to providing funding to local non-profits who serve vulnerable populations remains as strong as ever.”

“The Great Plains Trails Network, which has pledged to raise $250,000 for this Center, has long supported a center highlighting Lincoln’s outstanding trails network,” according to Gary Bentrup, president of GPTN. “This network is being strengthened by the Antelope Valley trails and will be highlighted by a Center providing resources for active living such as bicycles, trails information, and refreshments. It will be the center hub for all of the trails in the city and the southeast Nebraska area.”

Construction of the Active Living Center is expected to begin in July of 2010 with occupancy planned for September of 2011.

The Community Health Endowment of Lincoln was established in 1998 and has granted more than $12 million to help make Lincoln the healthiest city in the nation. For more information about grant guidelines and application deadlines, visit CHE's website.

For further information, contact CHE at 402-436-5516.