Grant recipients working to create a healthier Palm Beach County
WEST PALM BEACH: Under the leadership of Dr. Gerald O’Connor, chairman for the board of trustees of Quantum Foundation, members recently approved 16 new grants totaling nearly $1.5 million to Palm Beach County-based nonprofits.
Quantum Foundation is a health foundation that was formed with $135 million in proceeds from the sale of JFK Medical Center. Now in its third decade of community investment, the foundation has assets of approximately $170 million. Since its inception, Quantum Foundation has awarded more than $150 million to hundreds of Palm Beach County nonprofit grantees. Every dollar the foundation grants stays in the county to benefit local communities.
“Our foundation has evolved to become a valued strategic partner in grantmaking to Palm Beach County initiatives that improve access to health services, improve health systems, expand health education, and focus on whole-health initiatives,” said Eric Kelly, president of Quantum Foundation. “On behalf of our dedicated staff and our distinguished board of trustees, we extend gratitude to these 16 grant recipients, all working to make Palm Beach County a healthier home for all of us.”
Of the grants allocated for the first and second quarters of 2021, the largest was made to FoundCare, a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center with locations throughout Palm Beach County. Their mission is to fulfill unmet healthcare and social service needs of local individuals and families. Their services include pediatric and adult primary care, chronic disease management, behavioral health services, dentistry, laboratory services, x-rays, on-site pharmacy, and women’s health services (including screening mammography).
FoundCare will apply the Quantum Foundation funding toward construction of a new, in-house pharmacy at its newest location in West Palm Beach on Okeechobee Blvd. The site is projected to serve 10,000 unique patients per year, for approximately 25,000 visits. The Quantum Foundation Pharmacy at FoundCare will provide affordable prescription medications to established FoundCare patients.
“We are deeply grateful for the generous support we have received from our friends at Quantum Foundation,” said Yolette Bonnet, CEO of FoundCare. “This funding for our ongoing capital campaign will enable us to serve more patients at our new soon-to-open location, regardless of their ability to pay for services. The new Quantum Foundation Pharmacy will be a convenient addition to the health center because it allows patients to pick up their prescribed medications while on-site. Quantum Foundation’s support enables us to continue to expand our vital healthcare offerings during this unprecedented and critical time.”
Targeted to open in early fall, FoundCare’s new 10,000-square-foot-facility will serve as a one-stop healthcare medical home to all.
Groups funded by Quantum Foundation must meet strict grant criteria and must be classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All grants must benefit the people of Palm Beach County. For information about Quantum Foundation, or to learn about applying for grants, please visit http://www.quantumfnd.org/ or call 561-832-7497.
Other grants in the early 2021 funding cycles include:
The Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative– Breaking Down Barriers: $25,000
The Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative (WBHI) is a nonprofit outreach organization piloting whole communities toward lifesaving, preventive self-care. With Quantum funding, WBHI will impart lifesaving educational information about breast cancer and heart disease risk factors, recommended screenings, physical activity, and the importance of leading disease deterrent lifestyles as well as provide 90 participants with mammograms, preventive screening for hypertension, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels through their long-standing partnerships with local health providers. Additionally, WBHI will expand the enrollment and reach of the WBHI Breast Cancer and Heart Disease Virtual Advocate Program.
Center for Family Services– Seeking Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence: $50,000
Since 1961, Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County (CFS) has been serving families and children in Palm Beach County with a goal of helping children and adults recover from trauma and protect them and future generations from the damage of psychological distress. With Quantum funding, CFS will revise a comprehensive evidence-based curriculum for their Domestic Violence Group program and will train seven therapists on the application of the revised program.
Children’s Bereavement Center– Palm Beach Grief Services for Children, Teens & Adults: $50,000
Children’s Bereavement Center (CBC) has been in the field of grief support and education for over 20 years. Across their 10 locations throughout South Florida, CBC provides free support groups for children, young adults, and adult caregivers after the death of a loved one. With Quantum funding, CBC will provide bereavement support to 100 participants and grief training to 150 Palm Beach County professionals to promote resiliency and healing from trauma occurred through loss of parents and loved ones.
Helping Our Wounded (HOW) Foundation– Operation Phoenix: $35,000
HOW Foundation is a local nonprofit organization that focuses on rehabilitating and serving veterans from our U.S. military and improving their overall quality of life post-war. With Quantum funding, HOW Foundation, in collaboration with Grey Team, will help to restore 30 veterans’ brains and bodies, optimizing their physical and emotional health and well-being through hyperbaric oxygen therapy, personalized workout and nutrition programs, and camaraderie building activities.
Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County– Creating Housing Opportunities: $50,000
Formed in 1986, Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County serves as a catalyst for community collaboration to end homelessness in Palm Beach County. The Homeless Coalition works in collaboration with local partners to offer programs and to produce the Community Plan to End Homelessness in Palm Beach County, which intends to create and support a local response system that will end homelessness.
With Quantum funding, Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County will provide financial resources for rapid re-housing services to 10 families experiencing homelessness.
Meals on Wheels– Meals for Vets- Reaching More Vets: $100,000
Recognizing the unmet needs of the homebound seniors in the community, Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches, Inc. (MOWPB) began as part of the solution to address those needs. With Quantum funding, MOWPB will offer approximately 25,000 free/subsidized meals to at least 100 current meal recipients in their Meals for Vets Program and an additional 10,000 meals to at least 35 new clients that are identified as veterans.
TeleHealth Access for Seniors– South Florida Telehealth Access: $7,500
TeleHealth Access for Seniors is working to support patients who lack the resources and knowledge to participate in telemedicine. With Quantum funding, TeleHealth Access for Seniors will partner with health clinics across Palm Beach County to provide tablets to 150 low-income, veteran, and elderly patients so they can virtually connect with their practitioners and families amidst the pandemic. Additionally, TeleHealth Access for Seniors will provide technology guides and free virtual tech support so patients can understand their device and take advantage of telehealth opportunities.
Education Foundation of Palm Beach County– Behavioral Health Career Pipeline: $50,000
As the philanthropic partner to The School District of Palm Beach County since 1984, the Education Foundation now invests $1.2 million annually in programs focused on college and career readiness, academic and graduation improvement, teacher professional development and recognition, direct to classroom grants, K-3rd grade literacy, STEM and career education initiatives, and targeted support for low-performing students and schools. With Quantum funding, The School District, in collaboration with the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County and other community organizations, will develop a behavioral health technician curriculum to be submitted and approved by the State of Florida which will become one of the certifications available in the medical academies.
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies– Stronger Together: Black Doula Project: $119,600
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies (HMHB) is seen as the “gateway” to prenatal care in Palm Beach County through the Healthy Beginnings system of Children’s Services Council. With Quantum funding, HMHB will train eight black women to become DONA International certified doulas who will provide free maternal services to 16 women in the 33407 zip code to ensure positive perinatal and postpartum outcomes.
Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County– Community Health Access Teams: $50,000
Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County’s (FWCC) vision is “Building a better future for those who harvest America.” With Quantum Foundation funding, FWCC will increase access to basic healthcare services for 150 households or 250 uninsured/underinsured individuals in Palm Beach County.
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind (MLB)– Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program in Palm Beach County: $25,000
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind (MLB) provides comprehensive eye examinations with dilation and prescription eyeglasses, when required, for disadvantaged children throughout the State of Florida to help them succeed academically and improve their overall quality of life. With Quantum funding, MLB will serve 250 Palm Beach County vulnerable school children to receive a dilated eye exam, prescription glasses, and medical referral when required during the 2021-2022 school year.
Palm Beach County Health Department– School-based Sealant Program: $200,000
Palm Beach County Health Department (PBCHD) works to ensure public health including school health with a focus on health equity. Low income remains the greatest indicator for oral health disparities, primarily due to poor access to care. With Quantum funding, PBCHD will improve access to evidence-based preventive dental services for 2,880 second graders as well as dental education to 5,000 second graders at Title 1 schools.
Promise Fund of Florida– Early Detection, Screening, & Diagnostic Saves Lives: $200,000
Promise Fund of Florida is a nonprofit organization that seeks to reduce and prevent the progression of breast and cervical cancer in Palm Beach County. With Quantum funding, Promise Fund of Florida will provide evidence-based navigation services and increase access to screening, diagnostic, and treatment services for up to 200 women increasing the likelihood of an earlier stage breast and cervical cancer diagnosis with increased survivorship.
T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society– General Operating Support: $45,000
T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society (TLJMS) primarily serves underserved, low- to moderate-income minority populations, including African Americans and Hispanics, in Palm Beach County. With Quantum funding, TLJMS will continue their work to improve the career opportunities for underserved students, improve the quality of life of underserved populations, and continue to support testing and vaccination initiatives in Palm Beach County.
Northend RISE– Staff Funding: $216,654
Northend RISE follows the Purpose Built Communities’ plan to restore forgotten neighborhoods by helping to establish: cradle-to-career educational opportunities; local availability of affordable health and wellness options; and increased access to resources for home improvement, homeownership, and rental affordability. With Quantum Foundation funding, Northend RISE will continue their work to engage with the residents in the target area and work with systems partners to improve the socioeconomic and health outcomes of th