The Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) held an Award Presentation on Nov. 6, 2017 at the La Porte Civic Auditorium to celebrate the recipients of their first grant cycle. Through grantmaking, capacity building, and their own programs and projects, HFL has awarded a total of $2,850,561 in funding for 2017.
HFL is a not for profit, independent, private foundation dedicated to empowering our residents to live healthy and well in and around La Porte to become one of Indiana’s top 10 healthiest communities by 2030. This foundation was initially funded in March 2016 from the proceeds of the sale of La Porte Hospital.
Sixty-one grant projects submitted by 44 La Porte organizations and totaling $2,463,107 will be funded in this first grant cycle. Each project promises to make an impact in one of HFL’s three strategic focus areas (Healthy Children, Healthy Minds, Healthy Living) or contribute to the overall health and wellness of La Porte (Healthy La Porte).
Of the funding, $129,091 is for projects related to capacity building (Healthy Partners). The first grant for this purpose was the ten2030.org website where community members are encouraged to find updated data related to La Porte and information about local organizations who provide resources related to health and wellness. HFL has also held Results Based Accountability classes to help educate organizations on effective ways to monitor objectives and outcomes, is funding an in-depth study of the opioid crisis in La Porte conducted by the Center for Health Policy from the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, and will soon provide IU Nonprofit Management Certificate classes.
Of the total grant funding, $258,363 has been used for projects continued from the former La Porte Hospital Foundation (Legacy Funding). As the two foundations blended their financial and operational efforts together at the beginning of 2017, HFL continues to support programs such as mammogram vouchers, direct assistance to patients in need, health screenings, scholarships, children’s programs (Lil’ F.I.S.H. ClubTM and Get Active, Get Fit!), and many more. Combined, these programs have touched the lives of more than 7,000 community members in 2017 alone.
“Our mission and vision were always at the forefront of our planning and decision making, and we look forward to partnering with many local organizations to support health and wellness programs and services to build a healthier community together,” said Maria Fruth, President and CEO of the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte.
HFL appreciates the time and effort of all the 2017 grant applicants and encourages local organizations who have great ideas related to health and wellness to submit applications for the 2018 grant cycles when they open next year. For more information about HFL’s grant applications or the 2017 grantees, visit the website at hflaporte.org.
“Congratulations to our 2017 Grant Recipients on behalf of the HFL Board of Directors and staff,” said Jeffrey Bernel, HFL Board Chairman. “A tremendous amount of work went into this first grant cycle from both sides of the process, and we are looking forward to seeing the impact that these projects have on our community.”
Grant Types and Recipients
Healthy Children (Strategic Grants) - $503,001
The health of La Porte’s children is one of our greatest priorities. The lifelong benefits of good childhood health, for both individuals and communities, have led us to identify Healthy Children (prenatal to end of high school) as an HFL Strategic Focus Area.
- CCC Head Start of La Porte County - Healthy Access Medical Transport Van $61,754
- City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department - Summer Playground Program Expansion $20,972
- Dunebrook - Healthy Families La Porte County $87,110
- Dunebrook - Public Education Program $37,016
- Family Advocates - La Porte County CASA Youth Specialist $41,950
- La Porte City Police Department - DARE Program $8,100
- La Porte Community School Corporation - Postponing Sexual Involvement (PSI Program) $5,000
- La Porte Community School Corporation - Slicer Wellness Community Health Program $20,000
- La Porte County Health Department - Cribs for Kids $16,000
- La Porte Hospital - Lil' F.I.S.H. ClubTM $66,836
- Michigan City Area Schools - Creating a Mental Health Safety Net $75,813
- Open Door Community Alliance - Open Door Adolescent Health Center (ODAHC) $30,000
- Southshore Skipping Stones - Smile Baby! Born to be Cavity Free $1,450
- Women's Care Center - Women's Care Center LaPorte $25,000
- Youth Service Bureau Big Brothers Big Sisters - Kids on the Block $6,000
Healthy Living (Strategic Grants) - $806,885.42
Obesity and weight-related chronic disease are severe obstacles to a person’s ability to live a long and fulfilling life. The many negative consequences of unhealthy weight, poor diet and physical inactivity can lead to serious health risks, greater medical costs and a lower quality of life. We are committed to reducing the negative effects of poor physical health and its impact on our community and therefore identify Healthy Living as a Strategic Focus Area.
- City of La Porte - Chessie Trail, Phase 1 $232,020
- Friendship Botanic Gardens - The FBG Fitness Trail (phase 1) $25,000
- La Porte County Family YMCA - Capital Campaign Preparation for New La Porte Y $15,000
- La Porte County Family YMCA - ENHANCE®FITNESS for Arthritis Sufferers $8,104
- La Porte County Family YMCA - LIVESTRONG® for Cancer Survivors $8,458.21
- La Porte County Family YMCA - Diabetes Prevention $12,794.21
- La Porte County Parks Department - Luhr County Park Land Acquisition and Improvements $70,000
- La Porte Hospital - DEAL Diabetics Empowered Adds to LIfe 2017 $15,008
- La Porte Hospital - Mobile Health Screenings $21,713
- La Porte Meals on Wheels - Lunch Box of Hope $24,476
- La Porte Park Foundation - Clarke Park Renovation Project $25,000
- New Prairie United School Corporation - Healthy from the Start $78,267
- Purdue Extension - Farm to Freezer to Table $2,745
- Swanson Center - Activity Center of Older Adults $25,000
- The Pax Center - Brighton Street Green Space $204,800
- The Salvation Army - Backpack for Kids Weekend Food $38,500
Healthy Minds (Strategic Grants) - $831,539
Behavioral and mental health are a vital component of a person’s well-being. Mental health disorders, substance abuse and tobacco use negatively impact overall health and quality of life and can place a burden on entire communities. The negative impact of mental illnesses and substance abuse on our neighbors and our community has led HFL to identify Healthy Minds as a Strategic Focus Area so that we can support programs that focus on the prevention and treatment of mental and behavioral health issues.
- Frontline Foundations - Life Recovery Community Center $63,090
- Paladin - Behavior Management and Music Therapy $49,479
- Samaritan Counseling Centers – Mental Health 2030: Increasing Access to Services $49,970
- Swanson Center - Detox Now: Overcoming Barriers to Accessing Treatment $633,000
- The Dunes House - Nine-Bed Scholarship $5,000
- The Intrepid Phoenix - Pilot Program $16,000
- Worthy Women Recovery Home - Healthy Women, Worthy Women $15,000
Healthy La Porte (Responsive Grants) - $321,681.50
HFL identifies health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” as defined by the World Health Organization. We recognize that wellness is the “active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence” and the six dimensions of wellness are emotional, occupational, physical, social, intellectual and spiritual as developed by the National Wellness Institute. Healthy La Porte Responsive Grants meet our community’s health and wellness needs that fall outside of the three Strategic Grant Areas and demonstrate a connection to HFL’s mission and vision.
- Arts in the Park - Growth and Expansion $10,000
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary - Preventing Homelessness $15,461
- Center for Creative Solutions - Happiness = Health = Creativity/Innovation = Happiness $6,570
- Citizens Concerned for the Homeless - Sand Castle Shelter Health Care Literacy and Initiatives $3,000
- Citizens Concerned for the Homeless - Keys to Hope Health Care Literacy and Initiatives $2,500
- Home Team of La Porte County (under Unity Foundation) - Home Team Coordination $17,500.00
- Housing Opportunities - Financial Health $23,390.00
- Indiana Guardianship Services - Adult Guardianship Program $15,000.00
- La Porte Community School Corporation - Boston Middle School Project Extended Day $23,500
- La Porte Community School Corporation - GrapeSEED Early Language Acquisition Program $10,000
- La Porte Community School Corporation - Kesling Middle School Project Extended Day $23,500
- La Porte Community School Corporation - LPCSC Middle School Afternoon Success Program $25,000
- La Porte Community School Corporation - Slicer Champions School-based Mentoring Program $10,000
- La Porte County Department of Homeland Security EMA - Save A COP $13,200
- La Porte County Family YMCA - CPR, AED and Basic First Aid and Lifeguard Training Equipment $7,183
- La Porte Fire Department - AED Program $24,212
- Leadership La Porte County - Youth 2017-18 Program $4,400
- MSD of New Durham Township - Westville Little School $24,919
- North Central Community Action Agencies - Wheelchair Ramp/Home Safety Repair Program $20,000
- Open Door Community Alliance - Medication Assistance Program $5,000
- Paladin - Unreimbursed Medical Expenses for Developmentally Disabled $5,000
- READ La Porte County - ESL Classes with a Health & Wellness Component $7,346
- Visiting Nurse Association of NWI - La Porte Community Liaison $25,000
Healthy Partners - $129,091.07
In order to develop an accurate perspective of La Porte’s health and wellness, it was also necessary to gain an understanding of the resources that were already serving the community. HFL set about the educational process of identifying community organizations and agencies that impact the area’s health and wellness and invited them to introduce themselves and their programs to our board and staff. Listening to their needs inspired us to consider capacity building opportunities. HFL has identified capacity building as a funding priority to help organizations develop and strengthen the skills, abilities, and resources that are needed to make an even more impactful change in our community.
- Capacity Building
- IU Center for Health Policy Study
- IU Nonprofit Management Certificate
- Results Based Accountability
- Ten2030.org Web Development
Legacy Funding - $258,363.17
HFL recognizes the invaluable role that the former La Porte Hospital Foundation’s signature programs and events played in our community. The two foundations blended their financial and operational efforts together as of January 1, 2017, and HFL continues to maintain these programs and events in support of our mission to empower residents to live healthy and well in and around La Porte.
- Access to Medication
- Breast Cancer Prevention
- Cancer Patient Assistance
- Chapel Programs
- Children’s Programs (Lil’ F.I.S.H. ClubTM, Get Active, Get Fit!)
- Education for Healthcare Providers
- Health and Wellness Programs
- HFL and Auxiliary Scholarships
- La Porte Hospital Auxiliary Projects
- Samaritan Assistance