The Aetna Foundation Awards More Than $2 Million in Grants across USA to Cultivate Healthy Living
September 06 2016 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
The Aetna Foundation today announced that it has awarded
community grants to 23 nonprofit organizations as part of its
Cultivating Healthy Communities initiative. This program is
designed to promote healthy eating and active living, strengthen
health equity and advance innovations that make it possible for
people to have more healthy days. The projects will benefit
communities by improving health indicators such as access to
healthy foods, increased physical activity, reduced incidences of
bullying, more spaces for walking and biking safely and more.
“At the Aetna Foundation, we know that where you live has a
profound impact on how you live,” said Garth Graham, MD, MPH,
president of the Aetna Foundation. “These grantees have a track
record of positively impacting what happens in schools, child care
centers, parks, corner stores and kitchen tables by giving youth
and adults the skills and information to make good choices. What’s
most exciting is that these grants put the power to stay healthy in
the hands of community residents—creating sustainable change that
can improve health outcomes nationwide.”
This funding addresses the need to improve opportunities for all
Americans—regardless of income, education or ethnic background—to
take an active role in living healthier lives. In 2014, 14 percent
of American households faced food insecurity, and more than 23
million Americans lived in food deserts — rural or urban
neighborhoods more than one mile away from the nearest grocery
store. A total of $937,000 supports projects that expand healthy
food choices for families.
In addition, children who are perceived as different, or
socially isolated, are more likely to be bullied. This puts youth
in underserved communities at greater risk of depression, decreased
academic achievement and health complaints. Grantees across 12
states will work with youth and adults on these and other critical
topics that impact their community. Awards for anti-bullying
projects total $400,000.
Since 2014, the Aetna Foundation’s Cultivating Healthy
Communities grant program has awarded more than $11.4 million in
grants and sponsorships. Cultivating Healthy Communities is a key
part of the Foundation’s overall multi-million dollar commitment to
building a healthier world, community by community.
In 2016, more than $2 million in grants have been awarded to the
following programs:
Organization
Project Description State Served Community
Matters Initiative to reduce bullying and cyberbullying at
seven middle and high schools by equipping students to intervene
and speak up California Cycles of Change School bike
clubs in low-income areas that teach safe, urban riding and promote
biking as a viable way to exercise California National
Conference for Community and Justice Education of high
school students so they can be lifelong social justice allies and
challenge all forms of bias-based bullying Connecticut
Florida International University—Banyan Research Institute on
Dissemination, Grants, & Evaluation Expansion of yoga
classes to low income, racial/ethnic minority high school students
Florida St. Vincent’s Healthcare Foundation Mobile
health outreach pediatric nutrition and wellness initiative
Florida 2nd Mile Ministries Summer camps and year-round
after school programs to children in Jacksonville Florida
Foundation for Orange County Public Schools Free counseling
and mental health education to students, teachers, and families
Florida Common Threads In-classroom nutrition
education for students at 12 K-8 schools Illinois University
of Chicago Community-based education and training for youth
ages 8-18 building knowledge about cyberbullying Illinois
The Ecology Center Establishment of a nexus for city-wide
recycling action at 24 elementary and middle schools
Michigan Lower Sioux Indian Community Community gardens,
culturally tailored cooking classes, physical activities for youth
and families, and mindfulness practice for tribal community
Minnesota Capital District Community Gardens System for
providing low-income residents with access to affordable fresh
produce, while connecting local farms with urban consumers
New York Live Healthy Appalachia Cooking classes that teach
rural residents how to choose and prepare more whole foods
Ohio United Way of Central Ohio Expansion of a corner store
network to help owners stock, market and sell healthy foods
Ohio The Ohio State University Foundation Career training
and nutrition education for students interested in food
sustainability careers Ohio United Neighborhood Centers of
Northeastern Pennsylvania Nutrition classes and cooking
demonstrations for recent immigrants Pennsylvania
Ambassadors for Christ Youth Ministries Wellness programming
for homeless and displaced youth after school and during the summer
Texas Recipe for Success Foundation Farmer training
and business incubation support to U.S. veterans and teens
Texas University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Foundation
Expansion of the “Creating Healthy Eating Choice for Kids” program
to 14 elementary schools Texas Marathon Kids
Transformation of parks, corner stores, and farm stands to be
accessible, family-friendly, and responsive to community needs
Texas University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
Education of Hispanic youth to take action regarding poor
air quality in their communities through after school programs
Texas The Planning Council Expansion of access to
fresh produce by connecting child care providers, farmers and
families and setting up new food delivery and pick-up hubs
Virginia Core-El Centro Resident-led effort to improve
physical spaces and increase recycling activities in Milwaukee’s
Latino neighborhoods Wisconsin
About the Aetna Foundation
The Aetna Foundation is the independent charitable and
philanthropic arm of Aetna (NYSE:AET). Since 1980, Aetna and the
Aetna Foundation have contributed more than $465 million in grants
and sponsorships. As a national health foundation,
we promote wellness, health, and access to high-quality health
care for everyone. This work is enhanced by the time
and commitment of Aetna employees, who have volunteered 3.8
million hours since 2003. For more information, visit
www.aetnafoundation.org.
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