Free vaccines, flexible hours food pantry, more dignity for older adults, all backed by $600K

The Priority Health Total Health Foundation awarded $608,000 in grants to nonprofits that are laser focused on improving and bettering lives for the underserved living in Detroit.

Grant recipients are placing their committed efforts in the areas of:

• Maternal mortality to improve health outcomes for women of color
• A food pantry with flexible hours to accommodate all families regardless of schedules
• A mobile unit offering free vaccine unit to ensure all children receive protection from childhood
  illness
• Residential aging-in-place program with an emphasis on the importance of maintaining the
  dignity of older adult

“These organizations all strongly align with our goals to improve health outcomes for the underserved in Detroit by addressing the social determinants of health. We are thrilled to be able to support them financially and partner in offering programs and services that were formerly unavailable,” said Shannon Wilson, Priority Health Total Health Foundation executive director.

Ascension Southeast Michigan Community Health: With the goal of reducing the risk of maternal mortality and severe material morbidities, the Ascension Southeast Michigan Mother and Baby Support Program provides greater access to improved perinatal care, addressing pregnancy and postpartum mental health needs, as well as navigating social determinants of health-related needs to promote the equitable delivery of services and improved outcomes for women of color in underserved Oakland, Macomb, Detroit and Wayne County communities.

Forgotten Harvest: Their Client Choice Market introduces a transformative approach to addressing food insecurity among metro Detroit's residents, providing individuals and families with a dignified and empowering grocery shopping experience. Unlike traditional mobile pantry distributions, the Client Choice Market offers flexible appointments during off-hours, ensuring accessibility and supporting holistic well-being with compassion and understanding to ensure that individuals facing food scarcity receive the support and resources they need to thrive.

Gary Burnstein Community Clinic: With a client base that is over half Spanish speaking, undocumented residents, the staff works daily to care for the ill and increase the understanding of health and well-being, all while decreasing language barriers among the population it serves. Hannan Center: Called My Neighborhood Connection (MNC), this community-based, aging-in-place initiative encourages older adults to support one another with the premise that everyone has something of value to share, regardless of age, education or income. Using a resident-driven, asset-based approach, MNC organizes older adults in targeted communities, helps them identify their talents and develops a no-cost, peer-to-peer support network.

Life Remodeled: Life Remodeled is renovating and repurposing a former school building in the Denby community on Detroit's far eastside. This property will become a one-stop opportunity hub for students, families and adults who reside in the area, and will offer access to essential resources. Nonprofits committed to providing community resources will be invited to lease space in the new hub.

O’Hair Park Community Association: OHPCA's goal is to offer year-round programming for youth and families in the community and hire a part time manager to coordinate activities geared specifically for them. The proposed project seeks to increase focus on the long-term well-being and health of its residents and surrounding neighborhoods, acting strategically and intentionally to foster healthy environments for children. Wayne Mobile Health Unit: Ascension: To expand the already established, federally funded Vaccines for Children program, the WMHU is planning to establish a mobile free vaccine program to increase accessibility to childhood vaccines in Detroit, as well as provide vaccine education to parents and guardians who are resistant to childhood vaccinations.

Wayne State University Office of Women’s Health: Their SOS MATERNITY program includes an alliance of major health institutions across the state committed to reducing maternal mortality trends with evidence-based approaches to improve supportive maternal care.

The Priority Health Total Health Foundation continues to be a leader in partnering with mission-oriented nonprofits addressing the most vulnerable populations in Southeast Michigan with a total of $16.2 million in grant monies distributed since 2020.

Learn more about the  Priority Health Total Health Foundation.