Grantee Spotlight: Williamsburg Faith in Action

Dec 1, 2025 | Grantee Spotlight

Grantee Spotlight: Williamsburg Faith in Action

By: WHF Staff

For many older adults, staying independent and living in their own homes is a high priority, but without the support of nearby family or friends, aging in place can be challenging. In Greater Williamsburg, where one in five older adults lives alone, Williamsburg Faith in Action (WFIA) fills the gap for those without family nearby. WFIA makes aging in place more accessible by pairing volunteers with eligible older adults aged 60 and older to provide support services for transportation, household and yard chores, and social engagement.

Transportation Services

Transportation is WFIA’s most frequently used service, accounting for nearly 70% of all client requests. Trained volunteers take recipients to non-emergency medical appointments, legal services, the grocery store, or local errands. Along with a ride, volunteers offer social connections and build relationships with their care receivers. In 2024, WFIA’s 132 dedicated volunteers provided over 2,100 rides to 131 individuals.

In-Home Support Services

Through the In-Home Support Services Program, WFIA connects volunteers with care receivers who need a helping hand with daily tasks. These in-home supports range from food deliveries to helping to rake leaves in the fall. In 2024, WFIA’s volunteers provided 2,199 in-home support services to 126 older adults across Greater Williamsburg. These supports enable our older friends and neighbors to safely live independently.

Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) Support

Williamsburg Faith in Action’s focus on service to older adults aligns with WHF’s strategic plan. Their transportation and in-home support services contribute to the Foundation’s goal of targeting behavioral and social risk factors that influence the health of individuals throughout the life span. The Foundation has supported WFIA’s mission through 50 grants totaling $1.13 million since 2002. To learn more about WFIA’s service to older adults in the Greater Williamsburg community, please visit their website https://wfia.org/.

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.

Williamsburg Health Foundation Awards $130,000 in Response to Increased Need

Dec 1, 2025 | News

Williamsburg Health Foundation Awards $130,000 in Response to Increased Need

WILLIAMSBURG, VA – November 24, 2025: The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) has approved $130,000 in support for eight nonprofit organizations to address an increase in demand for assistance, primarily food. This funding supports organizations that provide access to nutritious food and essential resources to families and individuals experiencing difficulties.

FISH
Grove Christian Outreach Center
Salvation Army of Williamsburg
THRIVE Peninsula
United Way of the Virginia Peninsula
Virginia Peninsula Foodbank
Williamsburg House of Mercy
Williamsburg-James City County Community Action Agency (WJCC-CAA)

“Community partners have shared the significant increase in the number of people seeking assistance, more than 30% in some cases, as families struggle to keep food on the table this fall,” said Deanna Van Hersh, President and CEO of Williamsburg Health Foundation. “These funds are a way to meet the moment in addressing rising needs as we head into the holiday season.”

To learn more about the Foundation, 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.

Grantee Spotlight: Williamsburg House of Mercy

Oct 27, 2025 | Uncategorized

Grantee Spotlight: Williamsburg House of Mercy

By: WHF Staff

After 41 years as a Sisters of Mercy school teacher, Sister Mary Berenice Eltz decided to shift her focus to serve people with low incomes and experiencing hardship. As a parish minister for the St. Olaf and St. Bede communities, she touched the lives of many people in Williamsburg, Virginia. Her legacies of dedication and service to individuals and families in need continue today at the Williamsburg House of Mercy.

Williamsburg House of Mercy (WHOM), located in the heart of Williamsburg, believes mercy is a verb. Specifically, mercy is an action that gives comfort and hope to people who are experiencing hardship. Their focus includes addressing food insecurity, providing Outreach Financial Assistance, managing the Harbor Day Shelter, and operating the Hope Pregnancy Center. These services impact the lives of many of the approximately 14% of Greater Williamsburg residents living below the poverty line and the 28% – 35% of households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

Addressing Food Insecurity

Healthy People 2030 aims to improve health by promoting healthy eating and increasing access to nutritious foods. Following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which promotes a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can help individuals maintain good health. On the other hand, food insecurity can have significant impacts on a person’s long-term health and is associated with diet-related chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. According to WHOM’s latest Impact Report, they helped improve access to nutritious foods and combat food insecurity in Greater Williamsburg by providing meals to more than 2,400 households and serving nearly 10,300 meals at the Community Kitchen.

Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) Support

Williamsburg House of Mercy’s focus on food insecurity aligns with WHF’s strategic plan. The weekday community kitchen and food distribution programs contribute to the Foundation’s vision of individuals making healthy choices in a community with health opportunities for all. The Foundation has supported WHOM’s mission through 17 grants totaling $256,000 since 2016. To learn more about WHOM’s service to the community, please visit their website https://williamsburghouseofmercy.org/.

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.

Williamsburg Health Foundation Approves $284,025 to Local Organizations

Sep 16, 2025 | News

Williamsburg Health Foundation Awards $284,025 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: Olde Towne Medical and Dental Center

Jun 2, 2025 | Grantee Spotlight

Grantee Spotlight: Olde Towne Medical and Dental Center

By: WHF Staff

Olde Towne Medical & Dental Center was founded in 1993 as a public-private partnership in response to a community needs assessment conducted by James City County and the Williamsburg Community Hospital. The assessment results revealed a need for affordable health care in Greater Williamsburg that could serve the uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid and Medicare-eligible patients.

At that time, there was only one hospital in Greater Williamsburg, and the closest health department was in Hampton. With no other local options for uninsured individuals and their families to seek affordable care, the area’s single emergency department was often overwhelmed with patients pursuing non-emergent care for their chronic conditions. Olde Towne was created as a primary health care facility to address the unmet medical needs in the area and alleviate some of the pressure on the emergency room.

Today, Olde Towne operates as a safety-net clinic and provides care to uninsured individuals with fees based on a sliding scale dependent on family income. They also accept commercial and government insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid. In addition to traditional primary care for adults and pediatric patients, they offer medication assistance, obstetrical, newborn, multiple specialty care, and integrated behavioral health services through partnerships with Bacon Street Youth and Family Services and Colonial Behavioral Health.

Recognizing that health is shaped by more than clinical care, Olde Towne’s staff also connects patients to community resources. Their strong connections with other agencies enable them to refer patients for other concerns, such as food and housing insecurity, domestic violence, and social services programs.

In Fiscal Year 2023-2024, Olde Towne provided care to 3,735 patients through 13,745 appointments; administered nearly 1,000 immunizations; provided over 400 free dental services to over 210 children; provided nearly 2,800 total medications valued at $2.8 million; and began caring for the dental needs of Eastern State Hospital patients. An estimated 82% of their patients were uninsured or covered by Medicaid or Medicare.

Williamsburg Health Foundation’s Continued Support

Olde Towne’s work aligns with the Williamsburg Health Foundation’s strategic plan commitment to strengthen the healthcare safety-net for uninsured and underinsured individuals. Since 1997, the Foundation has awarded 95 grants totaling $16.2 million to support the Olde Towne’s work. For more information about Olde Towne Medical & Dental Center and its services, visit https://www.otmdc.org.

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The Williamsburg Health Foundation (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 $112 million in grants to improve community health and well-being.