REDDING, Calif. (April 24, 2025) – Dignity Health announced today it has awarded $499,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations across the North State Market. These grants, awarded through the CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grants program, is one of the ways our hospitals are dedicated to partnering with others to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of vulnerable and underserved populations.
“We believe that real change happens when we work together to support the unique needs of our communities,” said Rodger Page, Dignity Health North State Market President. “These grants are an investment in the North State, helping local organizations expand their reach and provide essential services like healthcare access, behavioral health support, food security, and housing assistance. By partnering with nonprofits that know and serve our communities firsthand, we can make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of our neighbors.”
The grant program helps to improve community health and health equity, and enhance local service systems, via restricted charitable contributions for defined projects. Collaborating 501(c)3 non-profit organizations applied to receive grant funds to address significant issues identified in the hospitals’ community health needs assessments. Efforts can include improving access to healthcare services, access to behavioral health and substance use services, homelessness, food insecurity, safe and violence-free environment, basic needs such as housing, jobs and food, and more.
Bright Futures for Youth: $95,000
Program: Home Away from Home Meals – the project will connect youth with positive social determinants of health in a community partnership to mitigate factors that contribute to poor health outcomes while improving access to basic needs such as food, housing, and physical and mental health supports.
The purpose is to use the power of food, healthy meals and nutrition education, and allow groups of youth to prepare and cook their own meals in a supervised, educational, and family-like setting. It will create a positive social, physical, and economic environment for a minimum of 75 vulnerable youth, ages 11-25, at-risk of or experiencing housing and food insecurity in Nevada County. The project supports youth feeling safe in their community, which is fundamental to overall health.
It will increase access to physical and emotional health networks for adolescents and young adults in The Friendship Club (TFC) and the NEO Youth Center. TFC will connect with program participants on a regular basis to ensure that they have access to appropriate health services as needed. In addition, we will utilize our Peer Program Youth Leadership and staff to provide communication and connections to our youth on a confidential basis.