Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation
History
In 2003 The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation was founded. See the key moments from the Foundation's history.
Building a Foundation
July 2003 – The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation founded as the result of the sale of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center to Community Health Systems
June 2004 – First Needs Assessment completed
July 2004 – First grant approved to United Way of Western Montgomery County – $50,000 challenge grant
August 20, 2004 – The Foundation received approval from Judge Ott, Montgomery County Orphan’s Court
September 2004 – Established an active grantmaking approach and identified six tactics
Fall 2004 – First round of Grants: 47 Letters of intent received = $2,411,543; 22 Grants approved = $842,645
April 2005 – The Foundation received Certificate of Merit from the National Health, Wellness & Prevention Congress
Moving Forward
November 2005 – First Annual Report completed, “New Beginnings – A lifetime of commitment to healthy living”
December 2005 – The Foundation and The Anderson Group captured regional public relations award
June 27, 2006 – Revised the Foundation’s Mission and Vision
August 2006 – Opening of new 1.8-mile section of Schuylkill River Trail, funded by the Foundation
October 10, 2006 – Approval of first Orphan’s Court three-year report
2007 – Developed school collaborative group through bi-annual meetings; Partnered with other funders to create Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten Readiness (PEAK) partnership; Initiated and developed partnership with the Nonprofit Center at LaSalle in Pottstown to support non-profit training and capacity building.
Setting the Pace
January 3, 2007 – Premier airing of Mission: Good Nutrition (MGN) TV show on Pottstown Cable TV
October 27, 2008 – Grand opening of the Community Health & Dental Care (CHDC), co-located with CHS. Funding provided by the Foundation.
November 2008 – Foundation received the “2008 National Trails Symposium for Health Award”
December 2008 – Community Health & Dental Care permanent patient count = 140 patients
2009 – Received Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance 2009 Community Health Agency Award
April 30, 2009 – 5th Anniversary Luncheon for grantees and community leaders.
June 2009 – Annual Physical Education Conference held at Boyertown Senior High School. Evolved into the two-day Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Institute in 2013.
July 2009 – Released second Needs Assessment
July 2009 – Changed the Foundation’s investment firm to Vanguard
September 2009 – Presentation of Phase I — Pennsylvania State University (PSU) study: “Planning and Design Strategies for Healthy Living, Parks & Recreation in the Pottstown Area” to Foundation Board
November 2009 – The Foundation participated in a five-year study conducted by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR); PA Outdoor Recreation Plan released
2010 – Completed Phase II of Penn State University recreation study: “Preparing for Implementation: Strategies and Guidelines”January 2010 – Introduced new social media website, “Mission Healthy Living"
March 2010 – Community Health & Dental Care permanent patient count = 3,573
June 9, 2010 – Community Health & Dental Care Inc. (CHDC) received Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) approval letter
July 2010 – Transferred administration of PMMC Pension Fund to Vanguard
Fall 2010 – Introduced “Well Informed,” a new quarterly online community benefit report
Expanding Our Reach
March 2012 – Community Health & Dental Care permanent patient count = 9,251 patients
August 2012 – Initial meeting for Worksite Wellness program
October 2012 – Approval of 3rd and final Orphan’s Court three-year submission
January 2013 – Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation launched a three-year mini grant program on behalf of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), for capital improvements in the parks.
March 2013 – Community Health & Dental Care permanent patient count = 11,000
August 6-7, 2013 – First annual Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Institute (continuation of Boyertown School District PE Conference)
A Decade of Progress
March 2014 – Pottstown School District’s PEAK (Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten Readiness) program received a $175,000 planning grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. PEAK impacts approximately 341 three- and four-year-old students.
April 2014 – Initiated “Fit for Life” Program with the Pottstown Mercury
June 2014 – Pottstown Borough awarded $1 million grant for Walk/Bike Pottstown project
June 2014 – Community Health & Dental Care permanent patient count = 15,679 patients
June 2014 – The Foundation involved with the statewide childhood obesity study; report released by the Joint State Government Commission
2014 – First annual “On Your Park, Get Set, Go!” contest
2014 – Pottstown Borough awarded $1 million grant for Walk/Bike Pottstown project.
2017 – TCN challenge grant for the Amazing Raise.
2019 – Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare and nonprofits.
2019 – Urban Land Institute (ULI) Advisory Services Panel.
2020 – Funded study on transportation alternatives & trackless tram.
2020-21 – Pandemic Response
- Grant to Foundation for Pottstown Education for Pottstown School District Laptops
- Town Hall Meetings: Vaccine Access for Communities of Color & Spanish-Language Town Hall
- COVID Relief & Recovery Fund
Around the Community
Success Stories
See the positive changes taking place in the Tri-County area.
