Grantee Spotlight Archives - Williamsburg Health Foundation

Grantee Spotlight: Child Development Resources Offers a Two-Generation Approach to Improving Health

Jan 2, 2025 | Grantee Spotlight, News, Spotlight

Grantee Spotlight: Child Development Resources Offers a Two-Generation Approach to Improving Health

By: WHF Staff

Every child deserves a strong start in life, but for some, challenges begin before they take their first step. For children with developmental delays or disabilities, the early years can set the course for their entire lives. Recognizing this, Child Development Resources (CDR) has provided early childhood intervention services to children and their families in Greater Williamsburg since 1965. CDR’s early identification and intervention services can significantly enhance a child’s ability to learn new skills, build resilience, and succeed.

Originally established as the Williamsburg Preschool for Special Children, CDR was founded by a group of citizens to address the lack of education programs for community children with developmental delays or disabilities. At that time, public schools could refuse to accept children with developmental delays, and it wasn’t until Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in November 1975 that children with disabilities were guaranteed the right to a free and appropriate education. In response to the new law, the organization changed their name to Child Development Resources and shifted their focus to providing services to infants and toddlers and training for childcare professionals.

Today, CDR serves about 3,100 children and their families in Greater Williamsburg and Poquoson through 10 programs. Their two-generation approach supports the child and provides skill-building for the parents and caregivers. CDR’s 85 specialists provide a variety of services from physical, speech, and occupational therapy to helping parents find community resources such as housing, healthcare, and nutrition assistance.

CDR’s work aligns with WHF’s Strategic Plan by targeting behavioral and social risk factors that influence the health of individuals throughout the life span. WHF is a longtime supporter of CDR. Since 1997, the Foundation has awarded 90 grants totaling over $5.2 million to help CDR advance their mission and purpose “to inspire and empower children, families, and early childhood professionals to reach their full potential, whatever their challenges.”

CDR recently began renovations on a new facility off Waller Mill Road in Williamsburg to consolidate their four locations and five buildings into one centralized Family Resource Center. The new facility, expected to open in March 2026, will allow CDR to provide wrap-around, comprehensive, and coordinated services to more children. WHF is pleased to support CDR’s efforts to bring its services under one roof.

To learn more about CDR’s programs or the status of their new facility, visit their website: www.cdr.org.

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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 $110 million in grants to improve community health and well-being.

Grantee Spotlight: Peninsula Agency on Aging Links Older Adults to Services

Dec 2, 2024 | Grantee Spotlight, News, Spotlight

Grantee Spotlight: Peninsula Agency on Aging Links Older Adults to Services

By: WHF Staff

For most older adults, an important goal as they age is to continue living independently in their own homes. With the support of Peninsula Agency on Aging (PAA), nearly 8,400 older adults on the Peninsula can enjoy aging in place. Through collaborations with a broad network of local agencies, PAA offers services that address older adults’ diverse needs — including assisting with transportation to medical appointments, improving access to nutritious meals, care coordination, care support, and veterans’ services. For the past fifty years, PAA’s services have enhanced quality of life, fostered independence, and reduced social isolation in older adults.

Founded in 1974, PAA was born out of a desire to enhance the well-being of older adults on the Peninsula by linking them to services designed to empower, nurture, and sustain independence. Fifty years later, PAA remains a trusted community resource, connecting older adults, aged 60 and over, to services that support every aspect of healthy aging.

In 2023, with support from Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) grants, PAA served 1,372 older adults — including 26,812 service encounters — in Greater Williamsburg, and the need for services is expected to grow. Research from WHF projects nearly one-third of the population will be over age 60 by 2030. This demographic shift underlines the importance and need for PAA’s programs and services, which provide evidence-based, community-focused support for healthy aging.

WHF is a longtime supporter of PAA’s work, having awarded 66 grants totaling nearly $5.2 million since 1998 to help advance their mission to support independence and quality of life for older adults. Current WHF grants focus on providing nutritious noontime meals, non-emergency medical transportation, assessments, home visits, and care coordination for older adults. By providing essential resources and services, PAA upholds a commitment to helping older adults across the community stay healthy, independent, and engaged and creates healthy aging opportunities in our community. To learn out more about PAA’s programs and services, visit their website: https://paainc.org/.

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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 $110 million in grants to improve community health and well-being.

Grant Spotlight: New Community Fitness Court Adds Opportunities for Exercise in Greater Williamsburg

Nov 11, 2024 | Grantee Spotlight, News, Spotlight

Grantee Spotlight: New Community Fitness Court Adds Opportunities for Exercise in Greater Williamsburg

By: WHF Staff

Greater Williamsburg residents and visitors now have access to a new, state-of-the-art outdoor Fitness Court located in the Warhill Complex in James City County. Designed for people aged 14 and up, the Fitness Court provides free access to exercise equipment, offering users a full-body workout in less than 10 minutes. Court users can access a library of workout content tailored to their fitness level by scanning the QR code on the court or downloading the Fitness Court App.

Research shows that improving the built environment by increasing accessible physical exercise space contributes to community health by encouraging more people to become and remain physically active — potentially reducing obesity rates and improving overall health and well-being. For example, adults with access to recreational facilities are 42% more likely to meet the American Health Association’s Physical Activity Guidelines than those without access. Yet, for many underserved populations, cost can be a barrier. The new Fitness Court addresses this potential obstacle by offering free access so everyone who lives, works, and plays in the community has the opportunity to be physically active.

The Williamsburg Health Foundation is pleased to highlight this new community resource, an evidence-based approach to promoting active living. Access to the free high-quality Fitness Court removes a barrier to physical fitness and increases opportunities to be healthier in Greater Williamsburg.

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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 $110 million in grants to improve community health and well-being.

Grantee Spotlight: Bacon Street Helps Build Resilience and Stronger Families

Oct 2, 2024 | Blog, Grantee Spotlight, News, Uncategorized

Grantee Spotlight: Bacon Street Helps Build Resilience and Stronger Families

By: WHF Staff

Bacon Street Youth and Family Services, founded in 1971 as the Drug Action Center, has been a trusted resource for substance use prevention and treatment for youth and their families in the Williamsburg area for over five decades. Established in an office on Bacon Avenue in Williamsburg by a group of concerned citizens, the center aimed to create a safe, drug-free environment for youth to gather after school. Over time, the youth who found support there began to affectionately refer to the center as Bacon Street. In 2015, the organization officially adopted the name Bacon Street Youth and Family Services to reflect their history and broader mission of supporting youth and families.

Today, Bacon Street serves youth, primarily aged 10-26, and their families offering mental health and substance use counseling, social work case management for unhoused families, and free collaborative prevention programs for schools and the community. With an emphasis on building long-term relationships, Bacon Street ensures families receive support when needed.

The demand for Bacon Street’s services remains high, highlighting the importance of their work. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 18.1% of youth aged 12-17 years and 17.5% of young adults aged 18-25 had a major depressive disorder within the past year. Additionally, an estimated 7.2% of youth and over 26% of young adults used illicit drugs in the past month. In fiscal year 2023, Bacon Street served 368 counseling clients with nearly 3,100 counseling appointments, a substantial increase from their pre-pandemic numbers. Given these challenges, Bacon Street’s work to provide support and resources remains essential, ensuring that families and youth in our community have timely access to care.

The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) has been a long-time supporter of Bacon Street, having awarded 32 grants since 1997 to help advance their mission. WHF recognizes Bacon Street’s commitment to supporting families and building resilience in youth through evidence-based behavioral health and substance use services is as important today as it was 50 years ago.

To learn more about Bacon Street Youth and Family Services, their programs, and how they are making a difference in the lives of youth and families in our community explore their website: https://baconstreet.org/.

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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 $110 million in grants to improve community health and well-being.

Grantee Spotlight – The Arc of Greater Williamsburg Improves Quality of Life

Sep 3, 2024 | Blog, Grantee Spotlight, News

Grantee Spotlight – The Arc of Greater Williamsburg Improves Quality of Life

By: WHF Staff

The Arc of Greater Williamsburg has served adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community since 1976. When young adults with disabilities age out of public school at age 22, they often find a gap in services. Through their many programs and activities, The Arc aims to reduce this gap and enhance the quality of life for their clients in the Greater Williamsburg Area. These activities include educational, health and wellness, life skills, cultural, social, and recreational enrichment programs to help clients reinforce their existing skills and acquire new ones. The Arc also provides clients with door-to-door transportation to their programs, which makes participation possible and provides caregivers a respite.

The Williamsburg Health Foundation supports The Arc’s Fitness Program, which plays an important role in maintaining and improving clients’ health and well-being. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are less likely to engage in physical activity and spend more time being sedentary than those without intellectual disabilities. This physical inactivity leads to higher rates of obesity and diabetes when compared to the general population. The Arc’s Fitness Program reduces barriers to engaging in physical activity by providing a 90-minute weekly fitness and wellness class, where clients receive round-trip transportation to and from their homes. In 2023, The Arc provided 1,422 hours of fitness classes to 179 residents of Greater Williamsburg, and they anticipate numbers will remain consistent this year.

To learn more about The Arc of Greater Williamsburg’s programs to improve the quality of life for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, please visit their website.

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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 $110 million in grants to improve community health and well-being.

Grantee Spotlight: Helping Young Hearts Heal at Comfort Zone Camp

Aug 6, 2024 | Blog, Grantee Spotlight, News

Grantee Spotlight: Helping Young Hearts Heal at Comfort Zone Camp

By: WHF Staff

Comfort Zone Camp (CZC) is a place of healing for children, teens, and young adults who have lost a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. This bereavement organization offers free weekend camps to help youth between the ages of 7 and 17, young adults aged 18 to 25, and families navigate the emotional challenges of grief.

These camps blend traditional camp activities with therapeutic sessions from Friday to Sunday. Campers join age-based support groups led by volunteer grief therapists and are paired with a supportive mentor who is matched based on similar interests, hobbies, needs, and sometimes loss types. After a weekend of fun and integrated therapeutic activities, each camp concludes with a memorial service, allowing campers to honor their loved ones.

Since 1999, CZC has served over 24,000 grieving youth nationwide. In April and June of this year, CZC hosted weekend camps at the 4-H campground in Jamestown and served 112 campers.

In Virginia, according to the most recent data available, an estimated 79,000 children have lost a parent or sibling by the time they reached age 18, and 168,000 youth before the age of 25. Such losses have profound and lasting effects, including depression, posttraumatic stress, substance use, and increased risk of suicide-related behaviors. CZC addresses these needs through prompt, honest, and supportive interventions, leveraging the healing power of nature to enhance mental well-being.

The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is supporting Comfort Zone Camp’s efforts with a recently approved grant that will help offset the cost of a three-day camp for about 70 youth ages 7-17 at the 4-H campground in Jamestown in early 2025. This camp will be open to children and adolescents experiencing loss and will provide a safe and nurturing environment for healing. To learn more about CZC, please visit their website.

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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 $110 million in grants to improve community health and well-being.