More than $137,000 in grants awarded to San Mateo County organizations
REDWOOD CITY, Calif (Feb. 27, 2023) – Through five local collaboratives, Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital will provide more than $137,000 in funding to community-based organizations to support the health and wellness of San Mateo County families, youth and individuals who are most in need.
“Each of these organizations has a proven track record of affecting change both meaningful and measurable for the most vulnerable populations in our community,” said Bill Graham, Sequoia Hospital president. “We are so proud to be collaborating with them to improve the quality of life in San Mateo County.” By providing funding to collaboratives of nonprofit organizations, they are able to leverage their individual strengths and maximize impact for the neediest in the community.
Grants were awarded to the following organizations:
LifeMoves Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) Program provides critically needed support services to unsheltered homeless people in San Mateo County with the goal of promoting sustainable life choices, reducing hospital and emergency room visits, and ultimately transitioning out of homelessness. Services offered under this program include connecting the target population to medical and behavioral health services, shelter and housing resources, benefits enrollment, and support in following up on medical appointments, transportation, food, hygiene and safety, and employment search assistance. "It takes a village, and we're so grateful for support from the Dignity Health community," says Isa Karabed, senior director of regional initiatives at LifeMoves. "When the basic needs of our unsheltered neighbors are met – shelter, food, security – and we show them someone cares, someone believes in them, then they can regain their dignity and have a real opportunity to rebuild and rejoin our community."
Operation Access coordinates donated surgical and specialty care for uninsured people in San Mateo County. It identifies patients in need of care and matches them with medical professionals willing to donate their time and expertise. “As a result of partnerships like this, local community clinic patients have an improved quality of life and ability to work, as they find relief from pain and disability,” said Jason Beers, Operation Access, president and CEO. “Overcoming barriers to accessing health services promotes equity for immigrants and other people who lack access to affordable health insurance.”
Peninsula Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower provides resilience skill-building for families struggling with the long-term negative mental and behavioral health and safety impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. They target communities with high representation of populations whose economic vulnerabilities as well as social determinants of health place them at higher risk for an array of poor relationship health outcomes. “Kidpower thanks Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital for support in our efforts to equip children, teens and families with mental, behavioral and social-emotional health and safety skills,” said Irene van der Zande, executive director and founder. The grant funding will support their "From Trauma to Thriving" initiative.
Sonrisas Dental Health - School Screening Program provides a dental home to children and adults, including those with physical, developmental or economic challenges. Mobile teams of dentists, hygienists and assistants will utilize portable equipment to provide oral health screenings and education to children attending schools in the southern region of San Mateo County, through on-site dental screening events. Each participating student will be assessed and referred for follow-up care and possible treatment, as appropriate. This grant will also provide funding for some children to receive comprehensive dental treatment in the clinic. “We appreciate Sequoia Hospital’s support and partnership with our school-based screening program,” said Tracey Carrillo Fecher, Sonrisas Dental Health chief executive officer. “Providing children regular dental care can affect overall health for the rest of their lives. Partners like Sequoia Hospital make that care possible.”
United Through Education is an eight-session family engagement workshop that serves newcomer and low-income families. Parents learn how to support their children through focused lessons in reading, math, science and technology. Families also learn how to create and maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition, exercise, dental health education and diabetes and child obesity prevention classes. Participants are provided access to mental and physical health support, school resources, adult education and community assistance programs. “It's truly inspiring to see our families work together,” said Secundino Zuno, president. “During the workshop, many times we see big smiles when parents and children are actively working and learning together. Seeing these connections being made demonstrates that our mission is truly being realized – building a better community, one family at a time.”
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About Sequoia Hospital
Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital is an accredited, not-for-profit community hospital providing innovative and exceptional health care for generations of Bay Area residents. Sequoia’s Heart and Vascular Institute is a nationally known pioneer in advanced cardiac care. Sequoia has received national recognition from Healthgrades for superior patient safety and was named as one of America’s top 100 hospitals for cardiac care. Our Total Joint Replacement program is a designated Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement, and our Birth Center is consistently ranked as a favorite among Peninsula families. We are also known for our comprehensive emergency care and leading-edge tomosynthesis 3-D mammogram technology. Our state-of-the-art Pavilion combines the most advanced medical and surgical services with a unique healing environment, including private, spacious rooms and inviting garden areas. To learn more, please visit dignityhealth.org/sequoia. To support programs at Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital, visit the Sequoia Hospital Foundation.
Publish date:
Monday, February 27, 2023