Reid Community Benefit awards grants for 3rd time in 2023

Reid Health Community Benefit expanded its support of local nonprofits in 2023 with a third grant cycle.

The third cycle supports 17 organizations that provide maternal, infant and children’s health with $100,000 total, according to a news release.

“It was great to see organizations thinking outside of the box on how to tear down barriers associated with maternal, infant, and children’s health,” said Jess Przybysz, the director of Reid Health Community Benefit and Engagement. “The projects in this cycle will bring new assistance and programs to our communities, and we’re eager to see them in action over the next several months.”

Altogether, the Community Benefit Grant Program distributed $300,000 this year. The third grant cycle awards are:

• $8,000 to Birth to Five to support staff for its Healthy Families program.
• $3,325 to Brighter Path Inc. to support its Marvelous Minis, a miniature therapy horse outreach program, traveling to schools, community organizations and events.
• $5,000 to Community Action of East Central Indiana Early Head Start to support an advertising campaign.
• $7,500 to Circle U Help Center Inc. to purchase diapers, formula and clothing for local families in need.
• $6,000 to Dublin Community Club to repair HVAC units at the Community Center.
• $7,000 to Firefly Children & Family Alliance to support its Community Partners for Child Safety program that provides infant survival kits of pack and plays, sleep sacks, pacifiers, and take-home educational resources.
• $7,000 to Girls Inc. of Wayne County to support its Informed and In Charge program.
• $8,000 to Hope Center to support its Earn While You Learn program and supplies.
• $7,000 to JACY House to support prevention programming for children and adults in six counties of Reid’s service area.
• $4,875 to Love Makes Cents Inc./Natco Community Empowerment Center to expand financial education services for families living in poverty.
• $5,300 to Monroe Central Elementary’s All Pro Dads.
• $7,000 to Nettle Creek Schools to support preschool staff and provide financial assistance to families in need.
• $4,000 to Open Arms Ministries to support staff and supplies for homeless families or those experiencing domestic violence.
• $4,000 to Preble County YMCA to purchase second-grade water safety classes.
• $4,000 to Safety Village of Wayne County to purchase equipment and materials for children’s fire safety training.
• $7,000 to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Randolph County to support a prevention coordinator position and program materials.
• $5,000 to The Nest and** Meridian Health Services** to remove barriers associated with securing housing and transportation for active participants in the maternal treatment program and baby boutique.

Second-cycle awards focusing on physical activity, nutrition, and weight were presented during August. They were:

• $4,000 to Alquina Blue Arrows Park to support a safety fencing system around sports courts.
• $5,500 to Amigos The Richmond Latino Center to fund instructors and snacks for its tennis program.
• $1,500 to Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church for a second stove and refrigerator to support its hot meal distribution, food for the food pantry and food bag delivery program.
• $7,000 to Birth to Five to support staffing for its Parents as Teachers program.
• $6,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County to support staffing for its ClubFit program.
• $2,000 to Bridges for Life to purchase food and supplies for the weekly Dinner at the Lamp community meal.
• $3,500 to Cardinal Greenway to fund the bike rental program.
• $6,000 to Circle U Help Center for food distribution through Communities In Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County to children in need.
• $3,500 to the Connersville Parks Department for equipment for the Living Well, Aging Well program.
• $5,000 to Communities In Schools to support staffing and food supplies for students and families in need.
• $3,200 to Council on Rural Service Programs to purchase supplies for its youth running program.
• $2,200 to Discover Connersville for community garden supplies.
• $2,000 to Fayette County Community Voices to support Bag to Table meal kits.
• $3,500 to Franklin County Community Foundation to fund running a water line to the Community Garden Project.
• $4,000 to Friends of the Preble County Park District to support the Natural Playground at the Gerber Nature Center.
• $3,500 to Gateway Hunger Relief Center to purchase food for the pantry, specifically protein sources and produce.
• $3,000 to Girls Inc. of Wayne County to support staffing and supplies for the Healthy Living Program.
• $3,500 to Gleaners Food Bank to support the Produce Hope Initiative for Fayette, Franklin, Union and Wayne counties.
• $2,000 to Golay Community Center to purchase a rowing machine.
• $2,000 to Handley Our Own Inc., doing business as Impact Wrestling Club, to purchase equipment for its youth wrestling program.
• $1,129 to Hayes Arboretum to purchase new picnic tables, including an ADA-compliant picnic table.
• $2,500 to Monroe Central School Corporation to support World Vision 6K Run/Walk registration fees for all fourth-grade students and one adult per student.
• $1,710 to Nettle Creek School Corp. to purchase supplies to enhance physical education opportunities for grades K-6.
• $3,500 to Oak Park Church to support site prep, sign design, installation and maintenance of interactive and instructional signs throughout the fitness park and playground.
• $3,500 to Preble County Council on Aging to purchase a commercial floor mixer to assist in preparing meals to provide to seniors.
• $4,500 to Preble County YMCA to support staffing, supplies, and program materials for its Livestrong program.
• $2,695 to Purdue Extension to purchase a smoothie bike.
• $570 to Soldiers in the Army of the Lord Ministries Corp. to purchase food for preservation class.
• $2,379 to The Shepherd’s Way Christian Ministries (Cross Road Christian Recovery Center for Women) to support women from the program to use the YMCA, staffing, transportation and yearly membership to the YMCA.
• $617 to Union County Parks and Recreation Board of Trustees to purchase portable nets and supplies for pickleball.
• $4,000 to YWCA Dayton to support staffing, food, and kitchen supplies for domestic violence housing units.