WILLIAMSBURG, VA – The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees has approved funding totaling $1,099,300 to organizations providing health-related services to those living in Greater Williamsburg. These grants represent WHF’s dedication to enhancing the health and well-being of the community.
“These investments illustrate our commitment to fostering long-term partnerships and embracing new opportunities,” said WHF President & CEO, Deanna Van Hersh. “Along with continued support for health-related programs, we are excited to provide first-time grants for efforts that align with our community’s evolving needs.”
A substantial portion of this funding, over $500,000, is earmarked for behavioral health services. “As the pandemic’s aftereffects persist, the need for mental health services remains high,” explained Bill Pribble, Vice President of Programs. “Recognizing the elevated need, WHF has increased investment in behavioral health services to ensure vital community support continues uninterrupted.”
WHF has allocated $489,300 to support two-generation family services, healthy eating/active living, and healthy aging strategies that address behavioral and social risk factors throughout the lifespan. Highlights include a new collaboration with the Virginia Down Syndrome Association focused on enhanced care coordination and programming for Williamsburg area individuals with Down syndrome and their families and partial funding for the Active Older Adults program at the R.F. Wilkinson Family YMCA.
Community capacity building remains a key focus, with $99,500 directed toward efforts designed to increase the impact of the Williamsburg Community Growers and the Greater Williamsburg Trauma-Informed Community Network.
These are significant contributions toward a healthier, more vibrant Greater Williamsburg area. They reflect WHF’s resolve to address current challenges and proactively participate in shaping a healthier future for all community members. Please refer to the table below for a complete list of the awarded grants. To learn more about grant opportunities, visit www.williamsburghealthfoundation.org.
| Organization Name | Project Title | Project Description | Board Approved Amount |
| Grants for Community Capacity Building | |||
| United Way of the Virginia Peninsula | Greater Williamsburg Trauma Informed Community Network (GW-TICN) | To provide administrative support for the GW-TICN. | $7,500 |
| Williamsburg Community Growers | Increase Our Impact | To increase the impact of the community garden and teaching farm in James City County. | $92,000 |
| Grants for Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) | |||
| The Arc of Greater Williamsburg | Fitness Program | To provide both clients and caregivers with activities and tools to improve the health of adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. | $37,500 |
| Grove Christian Outreach Center | Refrigeration Units | To purchase and install new refrigeration units to meet the increased demand for food assistance by low-income families living in Grove. | $50,000 |
| Virginia Legacy Soccer Club | Virginia Legacy WJCC Recreational Soccer Program | To provide recreational soccer free of charge to children in the City of Williamsburg and James City County. | $60,000 |
| Virginia Peninsula Foodbank | Mobile Food Pantry | To provide fresh produce for the Williamsburg mobile food pantry program. | $60,000 |
| Grants to Support Two-Generation Family Services | |||
| Virginia Down Syndrome Association | Williamsburg Community Coordinator | To establish a Williamsburg staff position to provide family care coordination and programming for Greater Williamsburg Area families who have a member with Down syndrome. | $46,800 |
| Grants for Healthy Aging | |||
| Peninsula Agency on Aging | Nutritious Noontime Meals | To provide home-delivered nutritious meals for low-income, aged 60 and older, residents. | $75,000 |
| Peninsula Agency on Aging | PAA RIDES | To provide non-emergency medical transportation for older adults and people with disabilities. | $130,000 |
| YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas | Active Older Adults @ the R.F. Wilkinson Family YMCA | To expand social, physical, and educational efforts available to older adults at the R.F. Wilkinson Family YMCA. | $15,000 |
| Williamsburg Area Faith in Action | In-Home Support Services | To provide free, in-home support services for isolated older adults aged 60 and older living in Greater Williamsburg. | $15,000 |
| Grants for Behavioral Health Services | |||
| Bacon Street Youth and Family Services | Support for Operations | To provide support for Bacon Street’s operations. | $350,000 |
| Center for Child and Family Services, Inc. | The Reboot Program | To provide trauma-informed assessments, individual, and/or group counseling for adults who are perpetrators of violence in intimate partner relationships and/or struggling with substance abuse. | $133,000 |
| Postpartum Support Virginia, Inc. | Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies | To increase opportunities in the Greater Williamsburg Area for recovery from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and to create awareness among maternal and child-focused service organizations, healthcare, and behavioral health providers about PMADs. | $20,000 |
| Other Grants | |||
| The Doorways | Support for Operations | To help underwrite lodging and support services for patients (children and adults) and their families from the WHF service area. | $7,500 |
| $1,099,300 | |||