The White-Wilson Community Foundation works to build partnerships that improve access to health services and care for underserved individuals in the community. Through its community health grant program, it presented Fresh Start for Children and Families Inc. and Mental Health Association of Okaloosa Walton Inc. with grants on Wednesday, November 9 at their facilities.
“We’re excited for this opportunity to partner with such fantastic health organizations throughout our community,” said Teresa Halverson, The White-Wilson Community Foundation Chair. “Their grant-funded programs will create a lasting impact on the health and wellness of those who need it most, and we are proud to help contribute.”
Halverson continued, “Our grant program is designed to help nonprofit health organizations make unique and powerful programs like these possible, and bringing groups together to bridge gaps in health care is at the core of what we do.”
With the grant, Fresh Start plans to provide a one-time Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) training for its team and the teams of other homeless agencies in the area including Children in Crisis, Opportunity Place and One Hopeful Place.
“Our goal is to give staff the tools needed to handle the mental and emotional health effects our clients are experiencing,” said Donna Tashik, Executive Director of Fresh Start. “This learning solution will benefit those in our community in a holistic and practical way, and we’re thrilled to deliver it.”
Additionally, Mental Health Association plans to use the grant to continue its Psychiatric Prescription Purchase Program (PPPP), which will provide mental health consults and emergency medications to over 300 people throughout three counties: Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton.
“Communities succeed when citizens are healthy, resilient and productive, but there is no health without mental health” said Virginia Barr, Executive Director of Mental Health Association. “We’re incredibly thankful for The White-Wilson Community Foundation’s support in helping us continue this program and continue to preserve and protect the mental health of our area’s residents.”
