(SUFFOLK, VA) February 1, 2023 – Obici Healthcare Foundation announced that 13 nonprofit projects and programs serving Western Tidewater, Virginia, and Gates County, North Carolina, were awarded grant funding totaling $1,929,630.
Awarded Safety Net capital project grants will increase the community’s access to high-quality behavioral, oral, mental, and medical, and other primary health-related services; and expand healthcare workforce development opportunities. The following organizations received a capital grant:
- Horizon Health Services, Inc. ($275,000) – isa community health center that provides direct medical and oral healthcare for people of all ages living in the counties of Surry, Sussex, and Southampton. Funding awarded will support the development of a new health center in the Town of Waverly within Sussex County.
- Paul D. Camp Community College Foundation ($275,000) – is a not-for-profit foundation that secures resources which promote the continuing progress of Paul D. Camp Community College. Funding awarded will support the expansion of the College’s Nursing and Allied Healthcare Education and Training programs.
- Western Tidewater Free Clinic ($200,000) – provides high-quality, non-emergency health care to Western Tidewater residents who cannot otherwise afford medical, dental, or mental health care. Funding awarded will expand the development of a microsite clinic at Hayden Village in the City of Franklin.
“Paul D. Camp Community College is appreciative of Obici Healthcare Foundation’s grant. The College is committed to collaborating with its faculty and staff to create relevant curriculum, offer customized training, deliver innovative, experiential learning opportunities, and provide access to state-of-the-art equipment,” reflected Dr. Corey McCray, President of Paul D. Camp Community College. Discussing the future of this project, he shared, “Camp Community College looks forward to collaborating with community and industry partners, announcing future phases of this project, and strategically moving forward.”
The Foundation also awarded four Healthy Behaviors capital grants to nonprofit partners expanding community access to healthy recreation and fitness and increasing access to nutritional foods. The following organizations received a capital grant:
- Franklin Parks Foundation ($275,000) – develops and supports the long-term creation and management of Blackwater Park in the City of Franklin. Funding received will support the installation of an ADA compliant trail, bridging of Deer Creek to Blackwater Park, and establishment of a new camping area.
- Isle of Wight Christian Outreach Program ($60,000) – provides essential resources and emergency assistance to community members living in Isle of Wight County. Funding received will support the organization’s purchase of a refrigerated vehicle and expansion of contactless and mobile distribution food security programs.
- Suffolk Christian Fellowship Center ($84,000) – provides food security and access to nutritious food for communities in Western Tidewater, Virginia, and Gates County, North Carolina. Funding received will support the organization’s purchase of a refrigerated vehicle and increase refrigeration capacity at the organization’s East Washington Street Marketplace in the City of Suffolk.
When notified of the grant award, Lorna Slaughter, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Suffolk Christian Fellowship Center shared, “Hunger hardships are escalating due to the rising cost of food and essential products. Communities overcome and thrive when partners, like Obici Healthcare Foundation, join us to support hunger alleviation efforts. This grant will allow us to increase the amount and variety of foods offered and help cast a wider service-net of the Hands of Refuge mobile distribution program.”
The Foundation continues its support of Early Childhood Education in Western Tidewater. The following organization received a capital grant to support access to early learning:
- The Children’s Center ($100,000) – provides children living in Western Tidewater, Virginia, ages birth to five with early childhood services and programs, such as high-quality childcare, Early Head Start, Early Intervention and Pediatric Therapy. Funding received will help support the organization’s acquirement of one of their eight locations.
Furthering its investment to support the implementation of STREAMin3 (Science Technology Reading Engineering Arts & Math – Integrated Intentional Interactions) curriculum, the Foundation awarded grants to organizations strengthening the local network of early educators. The following organizations received two-year grants:
- City of Suffolk – Early Childhood Development Commission ($22,659)
- Community Foundation Inc. ($74,400)
- Smart Beginning Southeast ($88,060)
- Smart Beginnings Western Tidewater ($30,000)
- The Children’s Center ($145,511)
“Cross-sector collaboration is critical to the success of Early Childhood Education in Western Tidewater, Virginia. Aligning resources, experiences, training, and problem-solving allow us to optimize our community’s mission of kindergarten success,” shared Rosalind Cutchins, Executive Director of The Children’s Center. Cutchins added, “We greatly appreciate the Foundation’s investment in this opportunity to participate and influence positive outcomes for children.”
One three-year grant was awarded within the Foundation’s Healthy Behaviors Initiative to increase access to physical activity:
- Girls on The Run Hampton Roads ($300,000) – provides socio-emotional and physical skill-building, inclusive curriculum, and programming to girls throughout Coastal Virginia and surrounding areas. Funding received will support outreach efforts and program offerings in Western Tidewater, Virginia, and Gates County, North Carolina.
“We have seen tremendous growth in Western Tidewater and Gates County over the last three years and six seasons — enrolling a total of 977 girls on 74 teams in 31 locations,” shared Ali Bowen, Program Director of Western Tidewater and Gates County. Executive Director, Ellen Carver added, “The Foundation’s support helps us connect with other collaborative partners, like school districts, local leaders, and passionate volunteers, to ensure that girls, who would not typically have access to high-quality health and wellness programming, have the opportunity to participate in our transformative program.”
About Obici Healthcare Foundation: 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 $72 million in grant funding.