(SUFFOLK, VA) October 12, 2022 – Obici Healthcare Foundation announced that 18 organizations serving Western Tidewater were awarded grants totaling $7,381,703. The Foundation’s Board approved funding for grants within its Safety Net, Early Childhood Education, and Healthy Spaces initiative areas.
“Obici Healthcare Foundation is privileged to be able to fund a diverse group of organizations that are working to meet current health needs in our community,” said Thomas L. Woodward III, Board Chair of the Foundation. Mr. Woodward added, “These partners are addressing factors that present challenges to the health of individuals in the Foundation’s service area.”
The following Safety Net nonprofit partners providing behavioral, oral, mental, medical, and other primary health-related services were awarded grant funding (*indicates three-year grant):
- American Heart Association Hampton Roads ($150,000*) – promotes well-being and cardiovascular health. Funding awarded will support the “No Pressure” program, a community outreach, patient empowerment, and partnership program serving the cities of Franklin and Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Southampton County, Surry County, and Sussex County.
- ForKids, inc. ($120,000*) – supports over 14 cities and counties in Southeastern Virginia, delivering services that break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for families and children. Funding awarded will support family case management, health and wellness coordination, and prevention services to families at imminent risk of homelessness in Western Tidewater.
- Horizon Health Services, Inc. ($1,137,433*) – isa community health center that provides direct medical and oral healthcare for people of all ages living in Surry County, Sussex County, and Southampton County. Funding awarded will support community access to dental, medical, and preventative healthcare, patient engagement, and Medicaid enrollment assistance.
- Rx Drug Access Partnership ($60,000*) – increases medication access for Western Tidewater residents. Funding awarded will support medication access for uninsured individuals and the organization’s partnerships with Western Tidewater Free Clinic and Dispensary of Hope.
- The Genieve Shelter ($150,000) – provides a safe refuge and supportive environment for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking and serves as Western Tidewater’s hub for education and training services on ending the cycle of violence. Funding awarded will help increase support for victims of violence.
- The Up Center ($806,053*) – provides over 20 critical support services throughout South Hampton Roads for children and families, including mental health counseling, parenting education and support, youth mentoring, foster care and adoption, housing and financial counseling, and services for people with diverse abilities. Funding awarded will support licensed clinical mental health services and perinatal mental health counseling programs and help expand peer recovery support services.
- Western Tidewater Free Clinic ($2,291,000*) – 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 Western Tidewater Free Clinic’s comprehensive medical and dental care services. The grant award will also support the Clinic’s partnerships with Charis Mental Health and Blakey Weaver Counseling Center to increase community access for mental health and medication management services.
- Western Tidewater Community Services Board ($1,560,916*) – provides a coordinated system of quality, recovery-oriented care to citizens in the cities of Franklin and Suffolk and the counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton. $1,019, 466* of the funding awarded will support school-based counseling intervention programs in Suffolk Public Schools and Isle of Wight Public Schools and increase psychiatric care for uninsured adults. $541,450* of fundingawarded will support a partnership with the Suffolk Public Defenders Office to implement the 5th Judicial District Behavioral Health Docket. This program will provide individuals behavioral and mental health support to help break the cycle of recidivism.
- Virginia Legal Aid Society ($827,344*) – provides free legal representation, advice, education, and outreach to Western Tidewater residents seeking access to advice and representation in several areas including healthcare, housing, and education. Funding awarded will support the organization’s eviction prevention program that serves clients in the cities of Franklin and Suffolk and Isle of Wight County.
The Foundation continues its support of pre-kindergarten readiness programs and professional development for early childhood educators. The following Western Tidewater School districts and partners utilizing STREAMin3 (Science Technology Reading Engineering Arts & Math – Integrated Intentional Interactions) curriculum, received grant funding:
- Franklin City Schools – $14,069.25
- Isle of Wight County Schools – $23,813.00
- Southampton County Schools – $22,620.00
- Suffolk Public Schools – $52,188.00
- Surry County Schools – $12,727.00
- The Children’s Center – $13,550.00
Three grants were awarded to organizations leading projects to increase community access to healthy recreation and fitness, aligning with the Foundation’s Healthy Spaces initiative:
- Jessica Ann Moore Foundation ($40,000) – provides programs and services to empower the next generation of leaders through educational enrichment, wellness, and community engagement. Funding awarded will support construction of a new basketball court, increasing the organization’s offering of outdoor recreational activities.
- City of Suffolk Parks & Recreation ($50,000) – provides programs, resources, and services that contribute to the health of Suffolk citizens. Funding awarded will support the construction of an outdoor gym at the Pughsville Fitness Park.
- Sussex County Youth & Adult Recreational Association, Inc. ($50,000) – provides affordable family and community-based activitiesto the citizens of Sussex County and surrounding areas. Funding awarded will support the construction of a community health and wellness building in the Town of Waverly.
“Our partners continue to bring new and innovative ideas to fruition in our communities, greatly assisting the Foundation in its mission to improve the health status of the residents within the service area,” said the Foundation’s CEO & President, R. Battle Betts, Jr., when discussing the vitality of these nonprofits awarded funding. Looking to the future, Mr. Betts added, “I am excited to watch all of these endeavors come to life in the weeks, months, and years ahead for the community.”
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 $70 million in grant funding.