Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Foundation for Roanoke Valley Announces $250,000 in Grants to Local Nonprofits

Nonprofit organizations that provide services to the elderly received over $250,000 in grants awarded by Foundation for Roanoke Valley.  As part of the Foundation’s Special Interest Grants process, nonprofit organizations were given the opportunity to apply to the Foundation’s Mary Louise Home Fund and Marion S. and Willie Z. Camp Fund for Eldercare, both which support services to the elderly.

“We continue to see an increasing need for services to the elderly population.  The Foundation is thrilled to be in a position to award such large impact grants in an attempt to meet the need,” says Michelle Eberly, FRV Program Officer.

The following organizations are recipients:

·         Adult Care Center of Roanoke Valley received $35,000 to support its Sue Nutter Scholarship Fund.  This Fund would provide its senior clients with financial constraints the opportunity to use the Center’s services.

·         Alzheimer’s Association, CWVA received $50,000 to supports its Arts Fusion Plus program.  This program targets older adults in the region and offers creative arts and social activities to persons with early stage dementia in order to improve the quality of life for the person and their caregivers.  “Growing research indicates there are steps we can take to promote brain health and to enhance well-being in persons with early dementia.  Interventions such as social clubs and creative, expressive arts allow individuals living with dementia to express themselves in ways that are satisfying and communicate with others, and improve quality of life.  Generous funding provided by Foundation for Roanoke Valley will allow the Alzheimer’s Association to expand our reach in providing the ARTS FUSION program for persons with early stage dementia to engage in social, musical, and arts programming throughout the region,” says Ellen Phipps, Alzheimer’s Association VP Programs & Public Policy.

·          Botetourt Resource Center received $20,000 to support its services to older adults.  The Center offers services such as recreation, fuel assistance, co-prescription, home repair, basic needs as well as information assistance, referral to human resources, and advocacy to help balance the needs of older adults who struggle economically and socially on fixed incomes.

·         LEAP for Local Food received $11,952 to expand its Senior Incentive Program to target seniors living in housing units in NW Roanoke that are managed by the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority.  With this program, during the off-season, LEAP will transport seniors who live at Melrose Towers to the monthly Grandin Village Community Winter Markets and during the market season, the LEAP Mobile Market will stop weekly at two RRHA sites.

·         Local Office on Aging received $40,793 to provide assisted transportation to its clients who currently receive intensive case management services.   While LOA provides transportation, the service is only door to door.  Often frail seniors need help to assist them in getting to the vehicle and getting from the vehicle into the doctor’s office for their appointments.   With this grant, LOA can hire a certified nursing assistant (CNA) to provide this service of not only assisting clients into the vehicle, but also accompany clients to their doctors appointments.

·         Mental Health America of Roanoke Valley was awarded $25,000 to continue supporting its Senior Extravaganza for the elderly.  The Senior Extravaganza is an annual event held in the Roanoke area and is well attended by older adults.  There are health screenings, pharmacy consults, exhibits about health and safety issues, workshops, and entertainment.  Approximately 400 seniors attend this event each year.

·         New Vision was awarded $21,000 to provide equipment and training in the use of voice-activated virtual assistants. This equipment, used by its elderly clients, can report weather, read audiobooks, play music, communicate with caregivers, and more. 

·         Roanoke Symphony Orchestra received $50,000 to support its Wellness Arts program.  Small, trained ensembles of RSO professional musicians will bring music to populations through sessions in older adult facilities throughout Roanoke.    This program will address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of memory care patients in those facilities.  "We are excited to share the power of music and its ability to impact our health through this new Wellness Arts program. The Roanoke Symphony is grateful to Foundation for Roanoke Valley for their support of this groundbreaking work in our community," Says David Crane, RSO Executive Director.

Foundation for Roanoke Valley, the region’s community foundation, has served the Roanoke Valley for more than 28 years and currently administers 318 named endowment funds established by individuals and families on behalf of the community.  For more information about Foundation for RoanokeValley, visit www.foundationforroanokevalley.org.
L to R: David Ward, New Vision; Mike Pyle, Adult Care Center of Roanoke Valley; David Crane, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra; Ron Boyd, Local Area Office on Aging; Ellen Phipps, Alzheimer’s Association; Sam Lev, LEAP for Local Food; Robyn Dobyns, Botetourt Resource Center; Ashley Reynolds Marshall, Mental Health America