Healthy Communities Initiative opens
Applications for health-focused projects accepted through March 30
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The Pallottine Foundation of Huntington is now accepting applications for its Healthy Communities Initiative, which provides funding opportunities to local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a health-focused mission.
Healthy Communities grants support both health and wellness and capacity building projects that align with the foundation’s mission to foster systemic change and empower individuals to lead lives of optimal health, self-reliance and self-respect.
The funding initiative is open to eligible organizations that support clients in the Foundation’s service region, which consists of Boone, Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, western Putnam, and Wayne counties in West Virginia; Boyd, Carter, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Lawrence, Martin, and Pike counties in Kentucky; and Gallia, Lawrence, and Scioto counties in Ohio.
Grant applications will be accepted through March 30 and awards will be announced in late May.
Awards range from $3,500 to $50,000.
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Eligiblity requirements and application guidelines can be found here on our website.
Potential applicants who have questions or would like to discuss planned projects may contact:
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Jana Stoner, health program officer 304-397-5955, ext. 105
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Claire Snyder, health program officer 304-397-5955, ext. 104.
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March 3
Introduction to the Pallottine
Foundation of Huntington
Noon-2 p.m., Inez, KY
Meet our program team and learn about our initiatives.
April 25 - May 13
June 20 - Aug. 5
2022-2024 Core Priorities application period
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Gallia County, Ohio
A note from Lisa Carroll,
board president, regarding technology improvements funded by a capacity-building grant from the Foundation
"We had a situation that involved a woman who was getting emergency custody of three children from CPS. She was able to reach out to us online via our website and we talked with her on the phone to do her application immediately instead of having to wait for her to contact us the next Monday. The donor who helped with part of her need was able to go to our website and use the link there to send a monetary donation to help. As is usually the case in these situations, this happened very unexpectedly, so the woman needed beds, food, clothing and medication for the children. We were able to help provide for some of these needs within hours instead of days. This situation would have previously taken much longer if the client had to wait until the following Monday when we were open to apply for help. Overall, this project has helped us to offer our services in a much more timely and efficient manner. We are truly thankful for that."
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Marshall University
Community Oral Health Team
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Oral health care is essential to successful substance use recovery for many reasons. It not only improves the client’s health, confidence, and quality of life, but it reduces the likelihood of setbacks and relapse resulting from dental pain.
“I used meth for a lot of years and narcotics with it,” said Jeremy Young, a 33-year-old who began his journey at Recovery Point seven months ago. “Before I started using, I always took good care of my teeth and always had a pretty smile. As the years progressed, meth just took them out. The more teeth I lost, the more confidence I lost. I went to jail and got sent to Recovery Point. When I got here, I had four front teeth and didn’t like to smile.
“Now, I have so much to smile about, but I just don’t feel comfortable,” he continued. “Knowing that I’m getting dentures gives me something to look forward to. It’s going to help me so much mentally and emotionally – that’s what people don’t realize. I’ll be able to go home with a good smile and be confident. At job interviews, I won’t be missing my teeth and it will help my self-esteem and my pride. It's amazing what a set of teeth will do for someone who’s in recovery. Like how much hope and strength that will give them.”
Until recently, dental care was not considered an integral part of recovery programs, despite the ever-growing need for it. Recovering with a Smile provides that service to residents at Recovery Point by removing any barriers to oral health. The Community Oral Health Team uses portable equipment to provide treatment and education onsite at Recovery Point, as well as at the Marshall Dental Clinic when needed.
Access to dental care for those in recovery can be limited for many reasons. Some dentists shy away because drug use creates dental problems that are challenging to manage and treat. Also, many patients in recovery have severe treatment needs and a higher threshold for pain management, which makes them more difficult to numb. Social stigma also limits access.
“Some dentists don’t want to see an ‘addict,’ and we have found that dental offices often aren’t very friendly to people in recovery,” Bobbi Jo Muto, MPH, RDH, CTTS, Project Coordinator with the Community Oral Health Team. “There is also a high turnover rate in recovery programs, and offices don’t want their schedules to fall apart if patients don’t show up.”
As recovery progresses, the need and desire for a healthy smile is also essential for job placement and interviews.
“We were seeing a lot of men coming out of recovery without an employable smile,” Muto said. “Even if they could get extractions, they didn’t have any teeth left. One gentleman was saying he was scheduled to graduate from Recovery Point in three months, but he wanted to stay long enough to get his health issues taken care of because he knew he couldn’t afford it after graduation. He said he knew what the answer would be when he got a toothache, couldn’t get in to see a doctor, and needed pain medication. He would be right back in recovery again.”
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Learn more about our grant opportunities |
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OUR MISSION
Through the support of transformative health initiatives that empower all individuals to lead lives
of optimal health, self-reliance, and self-respect, the Pallottine Foundation of Huntington
strives to foster systemic change and collaborative impact in our community.
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