Grants to support health centers
The Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) recently announced a new investment in the form of grants to support and accelerate community vaccination efforts to support the critical work of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in the wellbeing of their communities.
With the aim of FQHCs to vaccinate an estimated 20,000 of our most vulnerable people over the next three months, the new round of grants will extend the impact of the HCF’s telehealth grants of $1.3 million awarded in January. Collectively, nearly $2.5 million has been donated in the last six months to community health centers across the state to ensure that the organizations have the essential tools to meet the needs of their communities during the pandemic.
“Community health centers have always played a vital role in Hawaii and the past year has made their value even clearer,” says Chris van Bergeijk, senior vice president and chief impact officer at HCF. “By increasing our investment in the capacities of Hawaii’s community health centers, we intend to fortify and accelerate the impact of a wide range of initiatives addressing the needs of the medically underserved that have long existed in our islands.”
The 15 FQHCs across Hawaii, including West Hawaii Community Health Center, Bay Clinic and Hamakua-Kohala Health on the Big Island, will receive $1.09 million from HCF’s Hawaii Resilience Fund, Maui and Big Island Strong Funds and Kaua‘i Health Fund for vaccination efforts. Approximately 90&of the grant monies will be used to offset staffing costs, helping to preserve and create vitally important jobs.
Applications available for Habitat offering in Puna
Applications are still being accepted for Habitat at Humanity Hawaii Island’s offering in Nanawale. This offering is for five two bedroom, one bath homes that will be built on Habitat lots. The home model is from HPM Building Supply’s Hale Plus modular home line.
Applicants must be a Hawaii Island resident that lost primary home or rental because of the Kilauea Eruption in 2018; have a family size that meets guidelines of occupancy for a two-bedroom home; must have a stable income and a reasonable credit history, with no outstanding judgments, and adequate income to cover taxes, utilities, insurance and maintenance expenses as well a mortgage payment; and must complete approved pre- and post-sweat equity hours (500-plus hours for a new house).
For more information, contact Jane Mireles, Family Services Manager, at (808)331-8010 ext 110 or by email at jane.mireles@habitathawaiiisland.org