COLUMBIA, Md. — Continuing its long history of supporting numerous community organizations working to improve health and wellness in Howard County, Md., the Horizon Foundation awarded almost $1 million in grants in 2014.
“Our grantees are at the forefront of improving the health of our community,” said Foundation President and CEO Nikki Highsmith Vernick. “The strong partnerships we have with local non-profits and others are critical in the work that we do to build an even healthier Howard County.”
The Foundation awarded $989,987 in large grants in 2014 to 16 organizations serving Howard County. The awarded grants support Horizon’s strategic priority areas of increasing access to healthcare and promoting healthy lifestyles.
The following are some of Horizon’s notable grant awards:
The Howard County Chinese School was awarded $25,000 for its Community Health Access Resource Guide to support Asian-American residents in Howard County navigate the health care system.
Horizon awarded $150,000 to the Community Action Council of Howard County to enhance the Healthy Families Healthy Children program. The program helps 3- and 4-year-old children and their families develop healthy habits and better manage chronic diseases by taking part in the EatPlayGrow™ curriculum at all Howard County Head Start locations.
The Healthy Play Program, sponsored by Fusion Partnerships and the Ellicott City Soccer Club were awarded a grant totaling $59,263. The initiative provides nutritional education on the soccer field, and reinforces healthy eating habits at home.
Evergreen Health Cooperative was awarded $81,250 for a health coach in its Columbia location. The coach actively cares for approximately 260 patients by providing personalized support to help them achieve health care goals.
Healthy Howard, Inc. was awarded $75,000 for its Healthy Childcare Program, which encourages licensed childcare and early childhood programs in Howard County to take steps to improve the health and wellness of the children in their care.
The Korean American Senior Association of Howard County was granted $25,000 to improve the overall wellness of Korean Americans in Howard County and increasing preventive care awareness. The purpose is to provide information for seniors to ensure better access of primary care through education to decrease the likelihood of acute care.
The Howard County Economic Development Authority also received a grant of $58,000 to support “The Roving Radish,” a low-cost, fun meal delivery program that delivers regional fresh food kits to convenient locations throughout the county.
Additional organizations and programs supported through the Foundation’s grants included the Howard County Mental Health Authority, the American Academy of Pediatricians – Maryland Chapter’s “Practice Transformation in Prevention of Childhood Obesity in Howard County” program, the Medical Dental Action Coalition for educational materials that will help define the role of oral health practitioners in linking obesity with the consumption of sugary beverages for their patients, and a Howard County Government study to enhance schoolchildren’s opportunities for active transportation.
