Giving back

Fourteen charities are set to receive grants, includig Oklahoma City Ballet’s Golden Swans program.

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:

for a campaign to prevent$12,500 home residents. fires among elderly

•NewView Oklahoma: $20,000 managementfor a program medication 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.