Endeavor Health awards $8.8 million in grant money
Endeavor Health has announced $8.8 million in awards to 44 organizations, including several in the Naperville area, through its Community Investment Fund.
This year’s awards focus on behavioral health, food and housing insecurity, and access to care.
A new partnership the year is withThe Conservation Foundation. The $360,000 award will help the Naperville organization invest in equipment to increase crop yields and reduce food production costs and help the group supply fresh produce to local food pantries, a news release said.
Other Naperville area organizations to receive assistance include 360 Youth Services, which will receive $501,000 over two years to build a Sustainable Development Program.
Among the organizations are in the middle of a multiyear award are the Alive Center in 2024, which was awarded a total of $189,000 spread over three years to support teen-led programs to enhance confidence and belonging and build leadership skills.
In 2024, Haymarket Center of Naperville and Elmhurst was given a total of $945,000 over three years to increase access to treatment and recovery for behavioral health conditions and substance use disorders.
Also in 2024, Loaves & Fishes Community Services was awarded a three-year $366,000 grant to help the pantry extend its hours and NAMI DuPage was given a three-year $609,428 grant for mental health services.
Indian Prairie School District 204 was awarded $1.25 million in 2022 to provide school-based mental health counseling services, focusing on underserved populations.
KidsMatter was also given a three-year grant in 2022 worth $750,000 to help expose teens to health care careers, including behavioral and mental health professions. The grant also supported youth mental health first aid training for adults and teen mental health first aid training for high school students.
The Naperville Education Foundation’s three-year grant in 2022 worth $750,000 is to help reduce barriers to learning through mental health services and support.
Registration open for Rotary’s St. Paddy’s Day 5K Race
Registration for the Naperville Sunrise Rotary’s St. Paddy’s Day 5K run is now open, organizers said.
The 16th annual 5K held in conjunction with West Suburban Irish will take place at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 15, in downtown Naperville, immediately prior to the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The race is one of the first 5K races of the running season and attracts between 2,200 to 2,500 runners each year, the race website said.
Proceeds will benefit the Naperville YMCA, KidsMatter and the Grow Wellness Foundation.
Participants will receive a race shirt. Prizes are awarded to the top overall man and woman and the top three men and women runners per age division.
For more information, go to www.napervillesunrise.com/events/5k.
DuPage Care Center selling balloons for Valentine’s Day
The DuPage Care Center is holding its annual Valentine’s Day balloon fundraiser to help brighten the rooms and hallways of its residents.
Balloons are being sold for $5 through Feb. 13 to be delivered on Valentine’s Day, DuPage County officials said in a news release.
In the past, the community has purchased nearly 1,000 heart-shaped helium balloons to help decorate the center for Valentine’s Day, the release said.
“Every year, we hear incredible stories from the residents about how this event lifts their spirits,” Greg Schwarze, chairman of the county’s Human Services Committee, said in a statement. “It’s a wonderful way to let our friends at the Care Center know how much we appreciate and cherish them.”
Proceeds will benefit the resident recreation fund, which provides programs and activities to improve the residents’ quality of life, the release said.
Balloons can be purchased online at dpccfoundation.org. For more information, call Linda Gray at 630-784-4303 or email linda.gray@dupagecounty.gov.
