Dignity Health Dominican Hospital has awarded nearly $190,000 in grants to six local non-profits through its annual Community Grants Program. Each nonprofit was recognized for providing support to improve quality of life for the Santa Cruz County residents most in need.
- Community Bridges: $25,000 for the Wellness Navigation Project, which will increase patient access to healthy food, nutrition education and other services, and will improve clients’ understanding of how to stay healthy. The Wellness Navigation Project will offer mobile health screenings, a lifestyle health class, care transition referrals and food pantry distribution.
- Dientes Community Dental Care: $35,000 for collaboration among Dientes, Homeless Persons Health Project and Housing Matters (formerly Santa Cruz Homeless Services Center) to provide dental care (including treatment and prevention), education, screenings and referrals. The goal is to establish a dental home for those experiencing homelessness, so patients receive regular preventative care and avoid dental emergencies.
- Monarch Services: $39,645 for case management services for survivors of human trafficking. Case managers will work with identified partners to address the specific needs of each trafficking survivor.
- RotaCare Bay Area – Santa Cruz Free Clinic: $25,000 for the all-volunteer Santa Cruz RotaCare Free Clinic, which provides free health care to vulnerable and under-served populations. Every Tuesday night, RotaCare volunteers turn the dining and meeting rooms of a Live Oak area school facility into a medical clinic.
- Teen Kitchen Project: $40,000 to provide 50,000 healthy meals to 1,000 individuals and families in crisis due to a life-threatening illness—particularly those who are low income, lack a support network of family or friends, or do not qualify for other free food service. Teen Kitchen Project engages teens ages 13-18 as volunteers and employees in preparing and packaging meals.
- United Way of Santa Cruz County: $25,000 for a collaboration among United Way of Santa Cruz County, Community Bridges, and Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance to provide support services for youth and families to promote health and wellness, college and career readiness, financial stability and community connection. The goal is to increase access to mental health services, workforce development and academic support.
•••
Dominican’s community grants were awarded at a luncheon event on Jan. 22. Since the early 1990s, Dominican Hospital has provided nearly $2.7 million in grants to local community organizations to improve health and wellness in Santa Cruz County.