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The Aetna Foundation Awards More Than $2 Million in Grants Across USA to Cultivate Healthy Living
The Aetna Foundation Awards More Than $2 Million in Grants Across USA to Cultivate Healthy Living
Published 09-06-16
Submitted by Aetna Foundation
Cultivating Healthy Communities The Aetna Foundation today announced that it has awarded community grants to 23 nonprofit organizations as part of its Cultivating Healthy Communities initiative. This program is designed to promote healthy eating and active living, strengthen health equity and advance innovations that make it possible for people to have more healthy days. The projects will benefit communities by improving health indicators such as access to healthy foods, increased physical activity, reduced incidences of bullying, more spaces for walking and biking safely and more.
“At the Aetna Foundation, we know that where you live has a profound impact on how you live,” said Garth Graham, MD, MPH, president of the Aetna Foundation. “These grantees have a track record of positively impacting what happens in schools, child care centers, parks, corner stores and kitchen tables by giving youth and adults the skills and information to make good choices. What’s most exciting is that these grants put the power to stay healthy in the hands of community residents—creating sustainable change that can improve health outcomes nationwide.”
This funding addresses the need to improve opportunities for all Americans—regardless of income, education or ethnic background—to take an active role in living healthier lives. In 2014, 14 percent of American households faced food insecurity, and more than 23 million Americans lived in food deserts — rural or urban neighborhoods more than one mile away from the nearest grocery store. A total of $937,000 supports projects that expand healthy food choices for families.
In addition, children who are perceived as different, or socially isolated, are more likely to be bullied. This puts youth in underserved communities at greater risk of depression, decreased academic achievement and health complaints. Grantees across 12 states will work with youth and adults on these and other critical topics that impact their community. Awards for anti-bullying projects total $400,000.
Since 2014, the Aetna Foundation’s Cultivating Healthy Communities grant program has awarded more than $11.4 million in grants and sponsorships. Cultivating Healthy Communities is a key part of the Foundation’s overall multi-million dollar commitment to building a healthier world, community by community.
In 2016, more than $2 million in grants have been awarded to the following programs:
Organization | Project Description | State Served |
Community Matters | Initiative to reduce bullying and cyberbullying at seven middle and high schools by equipping students to intervene and speak up | California |
Cycles of Change | School bike clubs in low-income areas that teach safe, urban riding and promote biking as a viable way to exercise | California |
National Conference for Community and Justice | Education of high school students so they can be lifelong social justice allies and challenge all forms of bias-based bullying | Connecticut |
Florida International University—Banyan Research Institute on Dissemination, Grants, & Evaluation | Expansion of yoga classes to low income, racial/ethnic minority high school students | Florida |
St. Vincent’s Healthcare Foundation | Mobile health outreach pediatric nutrition and wellness initiative | Florida |
2nd Mile Ministries | Summer camps and year-round after school programs to children in Jacksonville | Florida |
Foundation for Orange County Public Schools | Free counseling and mental health education to students, teachers, and families | Florida |
Common Threads | In-classroom nutrition education for students at 12 K-8 schools | Illinois |
University of Chicago | Community-based education and training for youth ages 8-18 building knowledge about cyberbullying | Illinois |
The Ecology Center | Establishment of a nexus for city-wide recycling action at 24 elementary and middle schools | Michigan |
Lower Sioux Indian Community | Community gardens, culturally tailored cooking classes, physical activities for youth and families, and mindfulness practice for tribal community | Minnesota |
Capital District Community Gardens | System for providing low-income residents with access to affordable fresh produce, while connecting local farms with urban consumers | New York |
Live Healthy Appalachia | Cooking classes that teach rural residents how to choose and prepare more whole foods | Ohio |
United Way of Central Ohio | Expansion of a corner store network to help owners stock, market and sell healthy foods | Ohio
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The Ohio State University Foundation | Career training and nutrition education for students interested in food sustainability careers | Ohio |
United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania | Nutrition classes and cooking demonstrations for recent immigrants | Pennsylvania |
Ambassadors for Christ Youth Ministries | Wellness programming for homeless and displaced youth after school and during the summer | Texas |
Recipe for Success Foundation | Farmer training and business incubation support to U.S. veterans and teens | Texas
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University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Foundation | Expansion of the “Creating Healthy Eating Choice for Kids” program to 14 elementary schools | Texas |
Marathon Kids | Transformation of parks, corner stores, and farm stands to be accessible, family-friendly, and responsive to community needs | Texas |
University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio | Education of Hispanic youth to take action regarding poor air quality in their communities through after school programs | Texas |
The Planning Council | Expansion of access to fresh produce by connecting child care providers, farmers and families and setting up new food delivery and pick-up hubs | Virginia |
Core-El Centro | Resident-led effort to improve physical spaces and increase recycling activities in Milwaukee’s Latino neighborhoods | Wisconsin |
About the Aetna Foundation
The Aetna Foundation is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of Aetna (NYSE: AET). Since 1980, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have contributed more than $465 million in grants and sponsorships. As a national health foundation, we promote wellness, health, and access to high-quality health care for everyone. This work is enhanced by the time and commitment of Aetna employees, who have volunteered 3.8 million hours since 2003. For more information, visit www.aetnafoundation.org.
Aetna Foundation
Aetna Foundation
The Aetna Foundation is dedicated to improving health in local communities and large populations alike. How do we make it happen? Through community-based programs, dynamic partnerships and proven models that can help people accelerate progress everywhere.
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