COMMUNITY HEALTH: Benefit Group Awards 14 Local Programs
The Community Health Benefit Corp. this week distributed $434,500 among 14 local health-related projects. Created by the merger of John Muir and Mt. Diablo hospitals, the CHBC has bestowed funds on 33 programs this year, among them "programs that help vulnerable families, early intervention with children ... and health care for chronically ill, neglected and homeless adults." The John Muir-Mt. Diablo Health Network gives CHBC $1 million annually for the grant program. Isabelle Chenoweth, chair of the 10-member board, said, "We are achieving our mission by seeking out and funding realistic community-based programs that are making an impact on problems and circumstances that directly affect the health of underserved, uninsured, hard-to- reach and vulnerable populations." The Contra Costa Times reports that the following programs received awards:
- Multiple Sclerosis Society of Northern California received $14,000 to provide yoga therapy to MS patients in Antioch, Concord, Danville, Walnut Creek and Martinez.
- Shelter Inc. received $28,000 to continue its mental health counseling program at the Pittsburg Family Transitional Shelter.
- New Bridge Foundation received $75,000 to boost services at the Martinez Adolescent Prevention & Treatment program.
- The Center for Human Development was granted $30,000 to provide counseling services for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youths.
- Phoenix Programs received $36,200 for its mental health and substance abuse services that target the homeless (Appleby, 12/9).