The Oklahoman

Foundation to award more than $300K to 14 charities

- FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Oklahoma City Community Foundation is awarding more than $300,000 to organizati­ons in central Oklahoma as a part of its 2017 initiative­s.

Three of the foundation’s funding programs, The Services for the Elderly iFund program, Access to Health Care iFund program and Wellness Initiative, have identified 14 charities that will receive grants.

The mission of those charities is to support independen­t living for the elderly, promote wellness and exercise, provide social and recreation­al opportunit­ies and provide access to health care.

“Seniors are in need of programs that help them to live happy, healthy lives,” said Whitney Moore, developmen­t director for grant recipient Oklahoma City Ballet. “Remaining active as seniors age is very important in maintainin­g their independen­ce and health.”

The Community Foundation’s Services for the Elderly Fund supports organizati­ons that provide direct services to older citizens who still live in their homes.

By supporting wellness and exercise activities, this program works to facilitate independen­t living and positive social and recreation­al opportunit­ies.

“Oklahoma City is continuall­y listed as one of the nation’s least healthy cities. The Oklahoma City Community Foundation is actively working to change this by creating a culture of health and wellness in central Oklahoma,” Oklahoma City Community Foundation President Nancy B. Anthony said.

“We are pleased to work with charitable organizati­ons that share our vision and provide creative solutions to improve the lives of citizens in our community.”

GRANT RECIPIENTS

The Oklahoma City Community Foundation has identified the following charities to receive grants.

WELLNESS INITIATIVE:

•Mercy Health Foundation

Oklahoma City: $30,000 for the FUN (Fitness, Understand­ing Health and Nutrition). SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IFUND:

•American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma: $12,500 for a campaign to prevent home fires among elderly residents.

•NewView Oklahoma: $20,000 for a medication management program for seniors who are visionimpa­ired.

•Oklahoma City Ballet: $10,000 for the Golden Swans program providing ballet classes to help improve senior mobility.

•Rebuilding Together OKC: $20,000 to provide critical heating, cooling and electrical repairs to lowincome seniors.

•Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma: $20,000 to provide nutritious food and healthy living resources to low-income seniors.

•The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command: $15,000 to support the Senior Watch program that provides immediate, short-term assistance for seniors in need. ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE IFUND:

•A Chance to Change:

$24,000 for a telehealth project to provide remote substance abuse and mental health therapy.

•Fundacion Manos Juntas: $21,000 to support a diabetes management and education to patients at the Manos Juntas Free Clinic.

•Harold Hamm Diabetes Center at OUHSC: $25,000 to expand a diabetes prevention program for individual­s at—risk individual­s.

•Latino Community Developmen­t Agency: $30,000 to provide breast and cervical cancer services to Hispanic women in central Oklahoma.

•Neighborho­od Services Organizati­on: $40,000 for a dental outreach program for low-income children and adults.

•Oklahoma Dental Foundation: $40,000 to support the MobileSmil­es dental clinic for low-income children at Oklahoma City Public Schools.

•Skyline Urban Ministry: $5,000 to support a wellness program for at-risk citizens.

 ?? [PHOTO PROVIDED] ?? Members of the Golden Swans, Oklahoma City Ballet’s outreach program for elderly and Alzheimer’s sufferers, practice their skills.
[PHOTO PROVIDED] Members of the Golden Swans, Oklahoma City Ballet’s outreach program for elderly and Alzheimer’s sufferers, practice their skills.
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