Barton Foundation Awards $40,000 to Address Community’s Most Pressing Health Needs
South Lake Tahoe, CA – More than 4,500 children and adults in the South Lake Tahoe area are about to receive an extra boost of support. In the recent cycle of Barton Health Grants, $40,000 in grant funding was distributed to programs that address the community’s most pressing health needs - mental health, substance abuse, and access to health care services.
The grants were awarded to nine South Shore organizations. Recipients included Live Violence Free, Lake Tahoe Unified School District, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - El Dorado Chapter, SOS Outreach, South Tahoe Family Resource Center, Tahoe Art League, Tahoe Magic, Tahoe Turning Point, and Tahoe Youth & Family Services.
Representatives from each organization accepted the grants and shared their stories on Friday, November 4 at Riva Grill. Christopher Croft, the Executive Director of Tahoe Youth & Family Services, gave the keynote address about philanthropy and collaboration.
“We have solutions in this room,” said Croft. “We are creating a path for our community that brings expertise and people together to address the community’s needs and to tackle issues collectively.”
This cycle’s grant recipients addressed the themes of prevention and intervention. Eleven community-based programs covered a wide variety of programs, including counseling and supportive services (including hiring a bilingual mental health professional), art and wellness programs, alcohol and drug support, mentor programs, dental services for children, washing machines and flip phones for homeless youth, and support groups for care givers and family members who have loved ones with mental illness.
“The Barton Foundation is pleased to provide funds to local organizations for very deserving causes,” says Kindle Craig, the Barton Foundation’s Executive Director. “All the grants awarded will help reduce health care barriers and improve quality of life for our community members who need extra support.”
Since 2009, Barton Health has awarded $250,000 in health grants for the community. The Community Health Advisory Committee will allocate an additional $10,000 to other pressing community health needs in the next few months. Grant criteria and updates can be found at bartonhealth.org/grants.
The Community Health Advisory Committee is comprised community leaders, elected officials, clinicians, Barton Health staff, and private and non-profit stakeholders. They act as an advisory committee to Barton Health’s Board of Directors regarding pertinent community health issues facing the community, including the prioritization of the local Community Health Needs Assessment. Barton Health is dedicated to the delivery of safe, high quality health care to community members and visitors.