At Nantahala Health Foundation, we are working to build and maintain partnerships with forward-thinking organizations focused on improving the overall health and well-being of the region. To date, our investments in health and wellness initiatives total more than $2.2 million, with these funds building the capacity of some 78 regional organizations.
To make the organization's Earn While You Learn program available online and in Spanish via DVDs, thus eliminating a variety of barriers their clients could face when attempting to access this educational resource.
To provide expanded resources for childcare and early childhood development to parents of children ages 0-3 throughout the region.
To fill a funding gap required to expedite the start of the Southwestern NC Housing Consortium.
Impact: "We are leveraging $600,000 annually into the region for affordable housing: The first HUD allocation ($550,000) is expected in fall 2021, after review and acceptance of the regional housing plan. Additionally, the American Rescue Plan allocated extra funds to HOME consortiums. Ours is scheduled to receive $1.9 million."
To purchase equipment for new optician program (2019); to purchase a COVID-19 tracking application with the capability to alert students and staff via SMS to emergency situations requiring their immediate attention (2020); and to purchase a chemistry analyzer, thus ensuring health science students have access to this educational tool in support of their chosen field of study and to support the outcomes of community clinics offered to the general public (2021). Photo from grantee's website.
To support the implementation of a Farm-to-Table project in Jackson County by covering transportation (fuel and maintenance) costs, thus ensuring products can be delivered from local farmers to at least five categories of end-users, including restaurants, farmers markets, food banks, institutions, and producers of value-added products.
To address the healthcare accessibility challenges and health inequities of more than 600 children and adults who are at greater health risks due to leading sedentary lifestyles, thus ensuring this population has access to health and wellness programming targeting priority issues.
To support the continuation of the Council's work to provide nutritious, hot meals to Swain County seniors (2020) and to install a commercial kitchen at the Swain County Senior Center, thus ensuring the ability to prepare healthy, hot meals available on-site and for home delivery (2021).
Impact: "Since October 1, 2020, we have served 676 hot meals to senior in Swain County and provided them with 126 fruit and vegetable boxes put together by Darnell Farms. These were a real hit with all the seniors since they were distributed right before Christmas. The hot meals are served 5 days a week and delivered by volunteers."
To upgrade the facility's Internet, WiFi, and telephone technology, thus ensuring community residents and visitors to Graham County have access to these vital services.
To purchase personal protective equipment and other materials required to ensure the safety of students and staff engaged in educational activities. Photo provided by grantee.
Impact: "Summit was able to safely reopen our school in August 2020. We provided a safe school environment for our 42 faculty and staff members. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to purchase PPE equipment and other materials to ensure the safety of all students as well as our faculty and staff to teach and engage in educational activities."
To support the county's effort to develop a community paramedic program, including adding specialized equipment and advanced training for staff. Photo by NHF.
Impact: "Swain County officials successfully demonstrated that the program works by working with the local health care providers to monitor and coordinate services to individuals who have been discharged by the hospital. In addition, the local hospital system has been very cooperative in the program, and they have been successful in expanding the current capabilities of the “Doctor in a Box” to include other technology for increased care in the field."
To provide access to dental services for individuals in Swain County who otherwise may not be able to afford care (2019, 2020) and to support the In-Home Aide and Chore program, which includes alleviating food insecurities for Swain County seniors (2020). "Swain County seniors were extremely grateful that their needswere being met because of this grant." Photo provided by grantee.
Impact: "COVID 19 restrictions did have an impact on services but did not hinder the overall ability to serve patients and meet goals. One dental clinic was with an average of 11 patients seen per month. Dr. Ridgeway and his staff performed 65 exams, 58 xrays, 52 cleanings, 117 fillings, and 51 extractions."
To improve accessibility for the recreation department swimming pool to ensure summer day camps are more inclusive.
To renovate the Swain County Extension Teaching Kitchen, where cooking classes can be offered to the community. Illustration provided by grantee.
To support The Sparrow's Nest Ministry of First Baptist Church of Murphy in their effort to address food insecurity among seniors in Cherokee County.
To support their mission to provide rest, renewal, and recreation to families experiencing serious, life-altering illness of a child by incorporating nature, art, spirituality, and Southern Appalachian experiences to enhance resiliency, empowerment, self-determination, and hope.
To purchase a nursing infant simulator to address nursing students' need for access to training. Top photo provided by grantee.
Impact: "During our family health course in the summer, our clinical sites were restricted due to lack of available pediatric clinics. The students were able to utilize this simulator and the simulation experience to accurately assess, interpret, respond, and reflect on infant nursing care. One student expressed that she felt relieved that she was able to have this opportunity to practice her neonatal assessment skills during the simulation because she was not able to attend a pediatric clinical site. She reflected on how this opportunity eased her fears and improved her confidence when providing care to that vulnerable population. She stated that having this opportunity to synthesize class and practice provided her a meaningful learning experience, and something she can take with her in her future nursing practice.."
Grant Distribution Date: June 2021
Number of Partners: 27
Total Funds Invested: $204,222
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Grant Distribution Date: December 2020
Number of Partners: 14
Total Regional Invested: $33,275
Learn More: Please click HERE
Grant Distribution Date: December 2020
Number of Partners: 11
Total Regional Invested: Nearly $420,000
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Grant Distribution Date: December 2019
Number of Partners: 28
Total Regional Investment: Nearly $1.5 million
Learn More: Please click HERE
A Note About the Images on this Page: Unless otherwise indicated, most images on this page are intended to represent work being accomplished in our communities.
