Five new Early Childhood Education strategy grants awarded
(SUFFOLK, VA) July 1, 2019 – The Obici Healthcare Foundation’s board of directors recently awarded $108,237 in grants that will be used to fund eight projects, including five that fall under the Foundation’s new Early Childhood Education strategy.
In the fall of 2018, the Foundation held a symposium, “Assignment: Impact!” Creating a Foundation for Success” to roll out the important new Early Childhood Education initiative. This is a partnership between the Foundation and the University of Virginia.
In keeping with the mission to improve the health status of people living in Western Tidewater, the Foundation is using these early childhood education interventions to improve children’s development and act as a protective factor against the future onset of adult disease and disability.
Participating schools will provide this program as a primary path for improving overall academic achievement and attainment starting with kindergarten readiness. The STREAMin3 (Science Technology Reading Engineering Arts & Math) will be utilized in Franklin City Public Schools, Isle of Wight County Schools, Southampton County Public Schools, Suffolk Public Schools and Surry County Public Schools. An investment in the early years of life is one of best investments that the Foundation can make.
- The nonprofits receiving Early Childhood Education grants are:
- Franklin City Schools Implementation of the STREAMin3 curriculum: $12,069.25
- Isle of Wight Co. “Early Childhood Education Grant STREAMin3 Initiative”: $12,858.80
- Southampton Co. Schools STREAMin3 Partnership: $21,491.25
- Suffolk Schools Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Project Prof. Dev.: $48,267.00
- Surry County Schools Early Childhood Education STREAMin3 curriculum: $13,551.00
Three other grants were awarded under the Foundation’s Healthy Beginnings and Healthy Behaviors grant program:
- Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, A Space for Play: Camp Darden’s Community Pavilion: $50,000.00
- Suffolk Public Schools, Wellness Initiatives for a Happy, Healthy, Productive Staff: $25,000.00
- Suffolk Family YMCA, YMCA Healthy Choices Program: $25,000.00
About the Obici Healthcare Foundation: The Obici Healthcare Foundation is a private foundation established in 2006 from the sale of Louise Obici Memorial Hospital to Sentara Healthcare. Since its inception the Foundation has awarded over $48.6 million in grant funding.