REACH Awards New Wellness Grants

The REACH Foundation has awarded a first round of Wellness Grants to 27 nonprofit organizations totaling $125,000 to support efforts to celebrate and nurture the well-being of their healthcare staff.

The Wellness Grant opportunity was introduced this year in response to challenges regarding the recruitment, retention and overall well-being of the safety net healthcare workforce. Current and recent REACH grantees could apply for a one-time grant of up to $5,000 to provide wellness programming, recognize and celebrate employees, and offer other experiences in support of wellness, healing, rest and fun.

“Stress and burnout within the health care workforce is a frequent topic of conversation with our grantees and also in news coverage,” said Carla Gibson, Vice President of Programs. Gibson said the idea for the Wellness RFP was a direct result of  conversations with nonprofit leaders about the exhaustion and pressures employees were experiencing since the pandemic due to increased workloads, staff shortages, and personal family challenges.

“Safety-net leaders have told us they worry about their employees, and that it’s hard to make time or create space for self-care,” said Gibson. “We set up this RFP to provide small, one-time grants that could be used to show appreciation, promote wellness, and celebrate the people who ensure essential health services are available to the people who need them.”

REACH grantees could apply for a one-time grant of up to $5,000 to provide wellness programming, recognize and celebrate employees, and offer other experiences in support of wellness, healing, rest and fun.

Applicants were encouraged to be innovative with their ideas and describe the unique ways they want to celebrate their employees. Examples of funded activities included staff retreats; off-site field trips to cultural events; team-building activities; guest speakers; establishing new or enhancing current snack food stations; and other ideas.

Gibson said the number of applications exceeded expectations for this grant opportunity, highlighting the need for this type of support. “The requests were varied and showed that leaders put thought into what would help their employees feel recognized and valued.” Gibson said REACH is planning to issue a second Wellness Grants opportunity later in 2024.

Wellness Grants for were awarded to the following organizations:

• Ad Hoc Group Against Crime
• Beacon Mental Health, formerly Tri County Mental Health Services
• Budget and Financial Management Assistance
• Burrell Behavioral Health, dba Comprehensive Mental Health Services
• Cass Community Health Foundation
• Children’s Mercy Hospital
• Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas
• Community Health Council of Wyandotte County Inc.
• Compass Health, Inc.
• Cross-Lines Community Outreach Inc.
• El Centro, Inc.
• Health Partnership Clinic, Inc.
• Immunize Kansas Coalition
• Johnson County Mental Health Center
• KC Mothers in Charge
• KidsTLC Inc.
• Lafayette County Health Department
• Mission Vision Project KC
• Poetry for Personal Power Inc.
• Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department
• Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center
• Swope Health Services
• The Center of Grace
• Thrive Allen County Inc.
• University Health Charitable Foundation
• Vibrant Health
• Wyandot Behavioral Health Network