Winter Park Health Foundation (WPHF) concluded it’s Well Together Grant Awards Challenge with a showcase event on Tuesday, Nov. 19, in which $50,000 in unrestricted grant funds was distributed between three local nonprofits: Central Florida Vocal Arts, Grace Medical Home, and New Hope for Kids.
The three organizations were among five chosen by Foundation Board members to each receive a $50,000 grant in July. The process of distributing the full grant total of $300,000 began in March, with an open call for proposals to address mental health, diabetes/prediabetes, and/or heart health in WPHF target cities of Winter Park, Eatonville, and Maitland. The five $50,000 grant winners, which also included Center for Change, Inc. and the UCF Foundation Community Health Ambassadors Program, vied for three additional grants at Tuesday’s event using storytelling training they received from Grant Challenge partner, Victory Cup Initiative.
“We work with a group of storytelling coaches to help nonprofit leaders create a dynamic story that is repeatable and shows the impact of their organization,” Victory Cup Executive Director and Founder, Ashley Vann, told the32789. An all-day workshop and several one-on-one coaching opportunities develop the writing and public speaking skills necessary to successfully communicate the story.
A representative from each organization was given four minutes to speak during the Tuesday event. Audience members were then charged with ranking each story based on impact and messaging.
Center For Change, Inc. Project Manager, Tamisha Major, described the impact of her organization’s Heart Health Blood Pressure Program by noting the impact that high blood pressure has had on her family. She also spoke about her own diagnosis at age 25. “It takes more than good intentions,” she said. “We are making a difference through education, one-on-one personalized support, and access to services.”
UCF student and Community Health Ambassadors Program participant, Ashley Hernandez, discussed how her grandmother suffered with health issues due to a lack of access to proper care and services. She said her grandmother’s ordeal inspired her to get involved in community health. “I always wondered how different things could have been if she received proper support early on.”
Central Florida Vocal Arts Founder and Executive Director, Theresa Smith-Levin, described her nonprofit’s efforts to build confidence and self-efficacy in young people through one-on-one music lessons and group voice classes. She revealed her own struggle with low self-esteem as a teenager that led to thoughts of suicide. “We don’t teach music to kids; we teach kids to be all they were meant to be through music.”
Grace Medical Home Executive Director, Stephanie Garris, discussed how the partnership between her organization and the Central Florida Black Nurses Association is helping make healthcare more accessible through free community screenings and affordable care options. “When healthcare is both compassionate and accessible it not only changes lives, it saves them, one patient at a time.”
New Hope for Kids Board member, Melisa Wojteczko, shed light on her organization’s work in assisting children coping with the death of a parent or sibling, and the efforts to expand its programs into local schools and community centers. She also spoke about the loss of her husband and the help she and her two young children received from New Hope for Kids programs that include play therapy sessions, safe places for kids to release anger, and adult support groups. “My kids began to process of understanding their loss; the impact was immediate and profound.”
When the scores were tallied, a third place grant of $10,000 was awarded to Central Florida Vocal Arts. A second place grant of $15,000 was awarded to Grace Medical Home. And the first place grant of $25,000 was awarded to New Hope for Kids.
Winter Park Health Foundation President and CEO, Nicholas Abrahams, recognized the work of all the finalists in his event address. “You’re doing the hard work within the community,” he said. “We’re so very proud and grateful to you for making our community a better place.”
For more information on Winter Park Health Foundation programs and services, log onto WPHF.org.