HCHC Foundation awards grants

MT. PLEASANT — Henry County Health Center (HCHC) Foundation announces the 2022 Grant Award Recipients: Iowa State University Extension, Parkview Home, Iowa Wesleyan University, Mount Pleasant Community Childcare Center and Mount Pleasant Community School District.

The HCHC Foundation awards grants which further their mission to, “With integrity, responsible stewardship, transparency and capacity building, the HCHC Foundation will plan, promote, develop, fund and deliver important health related initiatives for the benefi¬t of individuals and families of Henry County and surrounding areas.”

They awarded ISU Extension $2,500 for the Family Connection program.

According to the extension office’s literature on Family Connection, the mission is to “provide an early childhood educational program designed to improve the health and well0being of pregnant women, parents, and their children.”

Family Connection provides guidance and support for families through private meetings, parenting classes, play groups, and family activities.

Those in the program earn participation points to use in the Parent’s Place store. The store stocks with diapers, wipes, baby shampoo, baby clothing, laundry detergent, dish soap, hand soap and other basic baby supplies.

Parkview Home Care Center in Wayland received a grant for $1,000 for the purchase of medical grade chairs for their dining room.

Parkview Home Care Center is a Skilled Nursing Facility that collaborates with local Mennonite churches.

The Center also offers independent living apartments, condominiums, and duplex units.

The HCHC Foundation awarded Iowa Wesleyan University $2,000 for enhanced nursing student recruitment.

Pacharo Mkandawire, a student in the IW nursing program in 2020, said IW was one of the best nursing programs with “professors who have vast experience in different areas of nursing.”

Mount Pleasant Community Childcare Center was awarded $2,500 to help build a before and after school program.

The child care center opened in July 2021 to fulfill a need in the Mt. Pleasant Community for child care. This is the first registered child care center in Mt. Pleasant since the Owl’s Nest closed in 2011.

The final grant recipient, Mount Pleasant Community School District, accepted $2,000 for the purchase of new heart rate monitors for their students.

Other Iowa schools, such as Dubuque Middle and High School, have used heart rate monitors, such as these, to better judge physical activity in P.E. classes. The intent is to create a less biased manner to grade.

In total, the HCHC Foundation awarded $10,000 in grants this year.

The HCHC Foundation is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the enhancement of the health and well-being of Henry County individuals and families.

“We are very excited to support the projects of these organizations that will make a difference in the health of our county residents,” Foundation Director Mark Hempen says. “These grants are just one example of how HCHC Foundation fulfills our mission for a healthier Henry County.”

The next round of grants will open in July of 2023. For more details contact Mark Hempen at HCHC Foundation by calling 319 385-6541, or email MHempen@greatriverhealth.org.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com