Foundation Awards Grants Promoting Local Health Access, Physical Activity and Healthy Habits

Chapel Hill, NC – The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation (BCBSNC Foundation) has awarded grants to support local programs across the state that include health services for recovering addicts, exercise programs for the elderly and disabled, greater access to medical services for immigrants, nutrition and physical activity classes for the needy, and summer camps for teen girls in the Triangle.

"Local agencies and nonprofits are doing great things across North Carolina to help residents live healthier lives and to get access to the care that they need," said Kathy Higgins, president of the BCBSNC Foundation. "We are pleased to help sustain and grow their good work with these grants."

The BCBSNC Foundation awarded a total of $137,175 to eight organizations, which will be used for the following programs:

• $25,000 to the Charlotte Rescue Mission for Dove's Nest, a residential addiction recovery program for women. The grant will be used for medical screenings and education for program participants.
• $25,000 to El Futuro, Inc. to provide bilingual behavioral health care services and education for Latino residents of Chatham and surrounding counties.
• $8,000 to the Forsyth County Department of Public Health for its HealthWise exercise program for elderly residents who have a chronic condition or are in danger of developing one.
• $6,000 to Girls on the Run of the Triangle for summer camps to promote nutrition, physical activity and the emotional well-being of preteens in Durham, Orange and Wake counties.
• $23,207 to the Mountain Area Health Education Center to expand language interpretation services for women needing obstetrics and gynecological services in western North Carolina.
• $10,000 to the Arc of Orange County to expand an exercise and nutrition program for disabled youth and adults.
• $15,000 to the Outreach Center of Morganton for its Fit & Fresh Nutrition and Exercise program.
• $24,968 to the UNC–CH School of Medicine’s Program on Integrative Medicine to establish a pilot program in Caswell County, focusing on diabetes prevention and self–management for low–income residents.

The BCBSNC Foundation offers local agencies and nonprofit groups a variety of opportunities to seek grants for programs that promote the health and well–being of North Carolinians. Grant categories, requirements and deadlines can be found at the BCBSNC Foundation’s Web site, www.bcbsnc.com/foundation.