Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation Awards Over $800,000 in Grants to Community Schools and Organizations

July 8, 2008, Pottstown, PA – In its spring round of grants, the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation is announcing an investment of $834,815 in the local community to enhance the health and wellness of area residents. “Once again we had outstanding grants submitted that were focused, well written and creative,” states Dave Kraybill, Executive Director, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. “The Foundation is pleased that many of the area schools are creating programs that address and combat childhood obesity. This effort by the schools will bring about both immediate and long-term behavioral changes in the way our youth approach health and fitness.”

The Foundation provides grants to schools and non-profit health and wellness providers, who use the money to develop and enhance programs that encourage area residents to embrace a healthier lifestyle. “Since grants are our cornerstone, we take an outcomes-based approach to grant-making,” comments Kraybill. “Outcomes are things that benefit people, such as new knowledge, increased skills, a positive change in attitude or values, or a positive change in behavior or an improved condition. We award grants to area schools and organizations which best use their resources, services and products to help people improve their health and well-being.”

The Foundation distributes grants according to its four long-term goals:
• Goal 1: Reduce Behavioral Risks
• Goal 2: Improve Access to Medical Services
• Goal 3: Enhance Formal and Informal Supports
• Goal 4: Improve Physical and Social Environment

In support of the “Reduce Behavioral Risks” goal, the Foundation is investing $685,915 in 20 community organizations, schools and programs:
1. Boyertown Area School District – Healthy Hearts and Minds/STEALTH.
2. Boyertown Area YMCA – Childcare Center Play Area and Fitness Program Testing.
3. Brookside Montessori – Growing Up Fit Wellness program.
4. Centro Cultural Latino Unidos, Inc. – CHICA Girls Club
5. Children’s House of Northern Chester County – Fitness for Life program

6. Coventry Christian School – Enhancement of Physical and Nutritional Education Programs.
7. Daniel Boone Area School District – Coordinated School Health Program.
8. Developmental Enterprises Corporation/Pottstown Training Center – Healthy Eating, Healthy Living Enhanced Program.
9. Freedom Valley YMCA – Splash Camps Summer Swim Program – Pottstown Branch.
10. Maternal and Child Health Consortium of Chester County – Healthy Start Prenatal Program.
11. Owen J. Roberts School District – Fit for Life Wellness Program.
12. Perkiomen Valley School District – Comprehensive Adolescent Fitness Program (CAFP) and Middle School’s Fitness Center.
13. Pottsgrove School District – Five for Life-On the Path to Life Long Wellness.
14. Pottstown Public Library – Library Materials, Wellness Programs, and Baby Welcome Packets.
15. Pottstown School District – Healthy Snack Education Program.
16. Spring-Ford Area School District – Healthy Choices 2008-2009.
17. St. Pius X High School – Improvement of Fitness Center.
18. The Growing Center, Inc. – Horticultural Therapy program.
19. YWCA Tri-County Area – Healthy Choices After School Program for Girls.
20. YWCA Tri-County Area – Summer Out of School summer camp at Fellowship Farm.

In support of the “Improve Access to Medical Services” goal, the Foundation is investing $10,000 in the following organization:
1. Christian Concern Management and Development – Van Service for Amity Manor Residents, Douglassville.

In support of the “Enhance Formal and Informal Supports” goal, the Foundation is investing $76,000 in four community organizations and programs:
1. Building a Better Boyertown – Boyertown Farmer’s Market.
2. Project Outreach – Winter Emergency Fuel Oil Program.
3. United Way of Boyertown – Leveraging of dollars through matching challenge grant for new donors.
4. United Way of Southeastern PA – Leveraging of dollars through matching challenge grant for new donors.

In support of the “Improve Physical and Social Environment” goal, the Foundation is investing $62,900 in three community organizations and programs:
1. Salvation Army – Renovate Lessing-Booth Family Shelter Kitchen.
2. St. Aloysius School – Steps to a Healthier You fitness and nutrition programs.
3. Women’s Center of Montgomery County – Relocation Costs for New Creative Health/Community Health and Dental Care Building

The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation’s mission is to enhance the health and wellness of area residents by providing education, funding and programs that motivate people to adopt healthy lifestyles. For more information on the Foundation as well as grant information, visit www.pottstownfoundation.org. For motivating information and delicious healthy recipes, click on Mission Good Nutrition, the Foundation’s 30-minute television program promoting healthy living and lifestyles that airs on Channel 28 PCTV every Thursday at 7:00 p.m.