November 2023

Hello and Welcome to Nantahala Health Foundation's monthly newsletter. There's no shortage of newsletters you can subscribe to, so THANK YOU for reading ours today. If you find value in the content below, please share this information with your friends and colleagues.

In this Edition

• A Message of Thanks From Our Staff
• Now + Next Accepting Applications
• Social Drivers Are In The News
• WIC Report Leaves Room For Improvement
• Partner Spotlight: Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care

May the Joy of the Season Be Yours

To Our Incredible Community Partners,

As the holiday season approaches, we wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to you, our amazing community partners. Your unwavering support and dedication have truly made our nearly five-year journey at the Nantahala Health Foundation an incredible one.

Your kindness and collaboration have been the key ingredients in our recipe for success, and we're so thankful for that. Together, we've built a stronger, healthier community, and your contributions, big and small, have had a significant impact.

This Thanksgiving, we're raising a virtual toast to each of you. Your commitment, creativity, and enthusiasm brighten our days and make our mission even more rewarding. We're excited to continue our journey together, striving for positive change and brighter tomorrows.

Wishing you and your loved ones a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving filled with joy, gratitude, and the company of cherished friends and family.

With sincere thanks,

Lori Bailey

Executive Director

Lisa Duff

Associate Director

Reserve Your Now + Next Seat for 2024

Seats are filling fast for our 2024 Now + Next training cohorts.

Now + Next graduates are having a positive impact on their organizations and the individuals they serve. Program alumni are equipped with the tools and knowledge to drive organizational growth, operationalize efficiency, and achieve strategic objectives that ultimately benefit all they serve. Use the link below to learn more about how you can join the ranks of our region's most noteworthy leaders.

Regional Partnerships Are Helping Us Tell Our Story

Nantahala Health Foundation is grateful to be working with various print media outlets in Western North Carolina this month and next to share information about how social drivers are leaving too many people behind when it comes to accessing opportunities to live their healthiest lives.

Our five-part series written by Associate Director Lisa Duff focuses on housing, education, economic stability, access to healthcare, and nonprofit capacity building.

When you see an article in your local paper, please do us a favor: Send a quick note of thanks to the editor for being part of our movement to improve health for those among us who need it most.

New Report Shows WIC is Underutilized

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, is vital to the health and well-being of nearly half of our nation’s babies, along with millions of young children up to age 5 and their mothers.

Yet, recent research based on 2021 data published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service shows more than 6 million of those who are eligible for the program are missing out on its proven health benefits. 

The just-released study reports that an average of 12.13 million moms, babies, and young children were eligible for WIC in 2021. However, only 51%, or 6.21 million, of those who were eligible actually participated.

Partner Spotlight: Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Center

During our 2021 NIMble grant cycle, we invested $4,935 in Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Center's Bright Courses curriculum for new parents to 'earn while they learn.' For each Bright Courses class taken, clients earn points that can be used to shop in the Center's well-stocked baby closets for hygiene items, diapers, wipes, blankets, clothes, and more. Clients can also earn brand-new items like car seats, cribs, and strollers.

Our grant-making priorities are designed to create a strong network of organizations by investing in your strategies to remove barriers to health.

At Nantahala Health Foundation, we build partnerships with forward-thinking organizations focused on improving the overall health of the region. 

Our Values Statement

Our values speak to who we are as an organization and how we intend to achieve our mission. Read our full statement of values and let us know what you think.

Financial information about our organization and a copy of our license are available from the N.C. State Solicitation Licensing Section at (919) 807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.