In a move to address the diverse needs of underserved populations in Southeast Michigan, the Priority Health Total Health Foundation has announced the allocation of $375,000 in grants to six deserving nonprofits in the Detroit area. The year-end grants aim to support organizations actively engaged in promoting the well-being of children, adolescents, older adults, and individuals with disabilities.
The chosen recipients exemplify a boots-on-the-ground approach, making a tangible impact on the lives of those in need. Shannon Wilson, the executive director of the Priority Health Total Health Foundation, emphasized the foundation’s commitment to partnering with organizations that can truly change the trajectory of people’s lives.
To date, the foundation has contributed over $14 million to more than 100 organizations in Detroit and Southeast Michigan. These organizations address crucial social determinants of health (SDoH) such as food and housing shortages, physical and mental health issues, and economic stability.
The six worthy recipients of the Priority Health Total Health Foundation grants are diverse in their missions and populations served:
- Figure Skating in Detroit: This organization promotes girls of color through the artistic discipline of figure skating, emphasizing mentorship to foster confidence, leadership, and academic success. Programs include the I Can Excel After School Program, day camps, community workshops, and figure skating instruction.
- Futures Foundation: Acting as a voice for individuals with developmental disabilities, this foundation assists in accessing everyday needs and developing solutions for lifelong thriving and care. Their mission is to enhance the dignity, confidence, and independence of those with developmental disabilities.
- Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities (LAHC): Serving over 80,000 individuals annually, LAHC champions and supports immigrant populations facing systematic racism and generational poverty. Their programs encompass youth development, mental health services, literacy, housing assistance, and food distribution.
- Give Merit: Dedicated to combating the high dropout rate in Detroit, Give Merit engages high school students through mentorship and workshops, inspiring them to aspire to college, careers, and civil involvement. Their FATE program is a critical initiative in achieving this mission.
- Presbyterian Villages of Michigan (PVM): PVM offers seniors affordable housing options, including apartments, assisted living, skilled nursing facilities, as well as home and community living services. With a history dating back to 1945, PVM has been providing dignified living for seniors throughout the state.
- Pure Heart Foundation: This organization stands alongside children with an incarcerated parent, offering a holistic model that includes academic enrichment, a cycle breakers initiative, mental health and wellness, one-on-one mentoring, family reunification, and recreational activities.
The recipients of the grants conveyed their appreciation for the assistance provided by the Priority Health Total Health Foundation. Lori Ward, the Executive Director of Figure Skating in Detroit, expressed “Priority Health’s funding support is helping us reach new heights in providing relevant programming that will impact our youth.”
Marci Mahssney, Manager at LAHC, emphasized that the foundation’s support represents an investment in creating brighter futures, fostering increased opportunities, and expanding access to essential behavioral health services. Paul Miller, President of Presbyterian Villages of Michigan, extended gratitude to the foundation for facilitating the enhancement of services for older adults, specifically through the renovation of the dining space at McFarlane Village.
The Priority Health Total Health Foundation’s commitment to improving lives in Southeast Michigan is evident through its strategic and impactful grant allocations. As these organizations continue their vital work, the foundation’s support serves as a beacon of hope for the community, fostering positive change and uplifting those in need.