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Williamsburg Health Foundation Approves $284 Thousand to Local Organizations

Williamsburg Health Foundation Approves $284 Thousand to Local Organizations

Williamsburg Health Foundation Awards $284 Thousand to Local Organizations

WILLIAMSBURG, VA – September 16, 2025: The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) has approved $284,025 in grant funding awarded to 15 nonprofit or government agencies since their June board meeting. These organizations serve the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and/or York County by working to improve the health and well-being of community members.

These grants support a range of diverse projects and programs across seven of the Foundation’s funding areas: Behavioral Health Services, Community Capacity Building, Healthy Aging, Healthy Eating Active Living, Integrated Care, Public Policy Advocacy, and Two-Generation Family Services.

“Many of the individuals and families who benefit from these efforts live on incomes below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level,” said Deanna Van Hersh, WHF President and CEO. “This funding aids organizations which provide a variety of services designed to build stability and help people avoid the need to choose between focusing on their health or paying their bills.”

Several first-time recipients and programs received grant awards. These initiatives will address food insecurity, healthy aging, and access to behavioral, medical, public health, and recovery support services. New organizations and programs receiving funding include:

    • Here for the Girls: Screening and Prevention Village
    • Housing Partnerships: Emergency Home Repairs & Home Modification Programs
    • Made 4 Connection: Family Night
    • PORCH: PORCH for Greater Williamsburg Pantries
    • Triangle Stepping Stones: Recovery Program Support
    • Virginia Community Health Worker Association: Increasing Community Health Workers in Greater Williamsburg
    • William & Mary Foundation: Supporting the Flourishing of Greater Williamsburg Preschool/Middle School Youth

“Each grant WHF awards reflects a response to an issue we have learned about by listening to the evolving needs within our community, said Van Hersh. “These awards contribute to the resources community partners need to enhance health and well-being in Greater Williamsburg.”

To learn more about the Foundation and its grant opportunities, please visit www.williamsburghealthfoundation.org.

 

The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is a private health foundation with the mission to collaborate, innovate, and invest to impact systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals living in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in September 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara developed an affiliation agreement and later merged. This agreement included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $116 million in grants to improve community health and well-being. 

Organization Name  Project Title  Approved   Amount
Grants for Public Policy Advocacy    
Mental Health Virginia  Mental Health Advocacy  $5,000.00
Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics  Health Policy Advocacy  $5,000.00
Virginia Health Catalyst Health Policy Advocacy  $5,000.00
Voices for Virginia’s Children Youth Policy Advocacy  $5,000.00
Grants for Community Capacity Building
Here for the Girls  The Screening & Prevention Village (The Village) $1,500.00
Virginia Community Health Worker Association  Increasing Community Health Workers in Greater Williamsburg  $58,525.00
Grants for Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL)
PORCH, Inc. PORCH for Greater Williamsburg Pantries  $4,000.00
Grants to Support Two-Generation Family Services
Made 4 Connection  Family Night  $20,000.00
Grants for Healthy Aging
Housing Partnerships, Inc.  Emergency Home Repairs & Home Modification Programs $50,000.00
Grants for Behavioral Health Services    
Bacon Street Youth and Family Services  General Staff Funding  $20,000.00
Comfort Zone Camp  CZC Weekend Camp in Jamestown  $7,500.00
The College of William & Mary, The Flanagan Counselor Education Clinic  Play to Thrive  $60,000.00
Triangle Stepping Stones  Operational Gap Funding-Recovery Program Support  $9,000.00
William & Mary Foundation  Supporting the Flourishing of Greater Williamsburg Preschool/Middle School Youth  $20,000.00
Grants for Integrated Care 
Colonial Behavioral Health  Integrated Care Facilitation $13,500.00
Grantee Spotlight: SHIP (School Health Initiative Program)

Grantee Spotlight: SHIP (School Health Initiative Program)

Grantee Spotlight: SHIP (School Health Initiative Program)

By: WHF Staff

If you walk into any classroom in Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools (WJCC Schools) and ask any student what SHIP is, you might hear a variety of adjectives, including “lowkey lit1, “bussin’2, or “fire.”3 What you probably won’t hear is “it is a program that is teaching me how to choose healthy food, live an active lifestyle, and learn evidence-based wellness techniques that I can share with my family.” But that is exactly what SHIP is “lowkey” doing in the classrooms of the 16 WJCC Schools throughout the school year.

Since SHIP’s launch in the Fall of 2006, the program has engaged thousands of teachers and staff, and tens of thousands of students in health and wellness improvement education opportunities across the school division, including:

    •  Teaching nutrition classes in all kindergarten, first, and second-grade classrooms.
    • Training teachers how to incorporate movement into lesson plans.
    • Providing home kits and teaching cooking and gardening skills to families.
    • Managing 85+ before- and after-school challenge clubs, which include nutritious snacks, physical activity, and transportation for 2000+ students annually.
    • Delivering interactive cooking lessons to 27 special education classrooms.

The impact of SHIP’s work goes beyond the walls of WJCC and the school grounds. Both students and staff participants share SHIP resources and experiences with the program with their friends, family, and neighbors within the Greater Williamsburg community.

From a Problem to a Program

According to a report using data from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, nationally, 16.5% of children between the ages of 2 and 19 were overweight, and 17.1% were classified as obese or severely obese. Specifically, in the Williamsburg-James City County local data compiled in 2004 by the Coalition for Obesity Prevention-Peninsula, the percentage of overweight youth in Williamsburg and James City was 29%, 27%, and 39% in kindergarten, third grade, and fifth grade, respectively. With this data in hand, Williamsburg Health Foundation’s (WHF) Staff and Board were moved to collaborate with WJCC Schools and other community partners to develop and launch a quality health program to foster lifelong physical activity, healthy eating habits in children, and provide access to health insurance. WJCC Schools launched the SHIP program in the Fall of 2006. Nineteen years later, the program continues to support and promote healthy eating and active lifestyle habits in schools, homes, and throughout Greater Williamsburg.

WHF’s Continued Support

SHIP’s work aligns with the WHF’s strategic plan. The program contributes to the Foundation’s vision, individuals making healthy choices in a community with health opportunities for all, and the goal of targeting behavioral and social risk factors that influence the health of individuals across the life span. As a Foundation-initiated program, WHF funds 68% of SHIP’s 2025-2026 program budget. Since 2004, the Foundation’s Board of Trustees has approved over $12.9 million to WJCC Schools to support SHIP and their mission.

Notes

  1. Something that is secretly Exciting/excellent or enjoyable
  2. Something is really good
  3. Amazing or exciting

 WHF is an independent private health foundation with the mission to collaborate, innovate, and invest to impact systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals living in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in September 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara developed an affiliation agreement and later merged. This agreement included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $116 million in grants to improve community health and well-being.

A Full Plate: Reflecting on the Community’s Role in Nourishing Our Neighbors 

A Full Plate: Reflecting on the Community’s Role in Nourishing Our Neighbors 

By: Deb Fisher

Growing up in a family that watched every penny, my mother’s arrival with bags full of groceries from one of our local churches was always a reason for celebration for my five siblings and me. I remember our excitement while helping our mother put the food away and our anticipation of trying new, mysterious treats that our parents would not usually buy. These bags, filled with new foods, brought a sense of excitement to our dinner table.  

It was not until I matured that I began to understand that the food my mom brought home was from a community food pantry and that we were a family who needed assistance. Despite our limited means, my family of eight never experienced the pangs of hunger thanks to the generosity of our neighbors and programs designed to help keep families fed when faced with challenging times.  

Now, as a Communications Specialist for the Williamsburg Health Foundation, I am honored to be part of an organization supporting local organizations that work to address the same food insecurity issues that touched my family. I have had eye-opening conversations with those at the helm of food pantries in the Greater Williamsburg area about our community’s growing needs. Declines in personal and grocery store contributions forced some pantries to dip into their emergency funds so families in Greater Williamsburg have access to nutritious food.  

The Williamsburg Health Foundation continues to respond to this critical need. Reflecting our commitment to the health and well-being of this community, the Foundation recently awarded a total of $100,000 — $20,000 each to five local sites — FISH, Grove Christian Outreach Center, The Salvation Army, Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, and Williamsburg House of Mercy.  

This is deeply personal. Thinking of our community members receiving help – I reflect on my family who sometimes chose between a meal and a medical bill, rent, or a utility payment. Staff and volunteers of these agencies, and this funding, help ensure families have a lifeline and will not have to make difficult choices alone. 

Williamsburg Health Foundation Welcomes New Board Members

Williamsburg Health Foundation Welcomes New Board Members

Williamsburg Health Foundation Welcomes New Board Members

By

WHF Staff

The Williamsburg Health Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of two esteemed professionals, Rhiannon Hartman and Lawrence B. Pulley, to its Board of Trustees.

Rhiannon Hartman brings a wealth of legal expertise to the board. Hartman is currently an estate planning practitioner at Carrell Blanton Ferris & Associates in Williamsburg and a former The Heritage Law Group employee. She obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2010 after completing her BS at William & Mary in 2004. A Williamsburg resident for over 15 years, Hartman is deeply committed to the community where she raises her two children. She also serves as a Board Member for the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia, highlighting her dedication to legal service and community welfare.

Lawrence B. Pulley is a respected figure in academia and business. As the emeritus dean and TC and Elizabeth Clarke professor at the Raymond A. Mason School of Business at William & Mary, Pulley brings a rich background in economics and education. A proud Phi Betta Kappa graduate of William & Mary in 1974, he earned his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Virginia. His career includes notable roles such as assistant professor of economics at Brandeis University and significant leadership positions within the School of Business at William & Mary. Pulley’s expertise in banking industry structure, international payments, and portfolio management will significantly benefit the Foundation’s strategic direction.

The addition of Rhiannon Hartman and Lawrence B. Pulley to the Board of Trustees signifies the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to leveraging diverse expertise for community health improvement. Their combined experience in legal affairs, academia, and economics will be solid contributions to the Foundation’s mission to “Collaborate, innovate, and invest to impact systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals living in Greater Williamsburg.”

 

Williamsburg Health Foundation Awards Nearly $1.1 Million to Local Organizations

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