Gunnison Valley Health Foundation News
Throughout the year the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation hosts signature
fundraising events at both ends of the Gunnison Valley.
News
Vail Resorts CEO Donates to COVID-19 Emergency Relief and Behavioral Health
Grants in Gunnison County
Vail Resorts’ Chief Executive Officer, Rob Katz, and his wife, Elana
Amsterdam, New York Times bestselling author and founder of
Elana’s Pantry, announced more than $3.3 million in COVID-19 emergency relief and behavioral
health grants. In nine communities where Vail Resorts operates, these
separate donations will support local nonprofits’ ongoing efforts
to (1) provide critical need services throughout the pandemic and (2)
improve access to and affordability of mental and behavioral health services.
“As mountain towns continue to contend with the impacts of COVID-19,
there’s been an increase in mental health challenges amplified by
limited access to care,” said Katz. “Through these emergency
relief grants and our third-annual behavioral health grants, we’re
committed to supporting the vitality of the communities where we operate.
We appreciate each of our incredible non-profit partners providing local
support when it’s needed most and building lasting programs for
the health of our communities.”
Grants specifically given in Gunnison County include $58,000 to CB State
of Mind to expand the Therapy Scholarship Program, and strengthen community
prevention and intervention efforts $25,000 to the Community Foundation
of the Gunnison Valley for the COVID-19 Relief Fund and $35,000 to the
Gunnison Valley Health Foundation to support the continued growth of the
Peer Support Specialist program.
Meghan Dougherty, Executive Director, CB State of Mind stated, “We
cannot thank Rob Katz and Elana Amsterdam enough for their continued support.
This gift will help us continue to provide free mental health services
to our community members who would not be able to access support otherwise,
and to train and provide impactful peer support services across the Valley.
Thank you for helping to make a real, lasting impact on the lives of those
who are struggling in the Gunnison Valley.”
Gunnison Valley Health Foundation Supports New Scholarship Program!
The Gunnison Valley Health Foundation recently provided funding for three
$10,000 scholarships for current GVH staff. This specific scholarship
program encourages current staff to pursue a Nursing Degree, in order
to become Long Term Care Nurses at our Senior Care Center Facility. Creating
a career path for our C.N.A’s to go to nursing school is a great
step to retaining our C.N.A.s as they enhance their career, while also
investing in a very stable future for our team of L.P.N.s and RNs.
This is just one of many initiatives underway to support and retain this
group of crucial staff and is truly an investment in the Senior Care Center
Nursing Team that will benefit our staff and residents for years to come.
Meet our funding partner...Rocky Mountain Health Foundation
Have you heard that the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation has received
a $10,000 grant from the Rocky Mountain Health Foundation this year? These
funds will be used to support our behavioral health services and will
directly help us to support the hiring of a Licensed Professional Counselor
(LPC) to fill a critical services gap in supporting the mental and behavioral
healthcare needs of those impacted by and recovering from the health and
economic crises caused by COVID-19.
The Rocky Mountain Health Foundation serves 22 counties in Western Colorado.
With the mission of improving the overall health of a community, Rocky
Mountain Health Foundation is a newly-converged $40 million permanent
and regional funding resource as the result of Rocky Mountain Health Plans
selling to United Healthcare. The Foundation addresses some of the Western
Slope’s most pressing health needs, including access to healthcare,
hunger, transportation to/from medical treatments, and integrated behavioral
health. More information can be found at
http://rmhealth.org/.
Gunnison Valley Community Steps Up to Support the Gunnison Valley Health
COVID 19 Relief Fund
In mid March, the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation initiated their COVID
19 Support Fund to provide critical support to our health care system
during the COVID-19 pandemic and to date, 93 individuals have donated
over $35,000!
The COVID-19 Support Fund has been used to ensure Gunnison Valley Health’s medical team has
the essential lifesaving equipment, technology and support needed to provide
the best possible care and safety for themselves and our patients. Many
inkind donations have also been received over the past two months valued
at $48,431! We are very humbled by the generosity of our community at
such a critical time!
Personal Protective Equipment Grant Awards
On May 2, 2020, the Foundation received $25,000 from the Colorado COVID
19 relief fund to help our healthcare system purchase personal protective
equipment and disinfectant for safety, lifesaving medical supplies, and
patient testing supplies. The medical supplies purchased have provided
immediate benefit to health workers and patients, and serve the community
at large through lowering COVID19 spread and allowing for continued access
to quality care. An additional grant for PPE in the amount of $5,000 was
received from the El Pomar Foundation in Colorado Springs!
Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley Provides Mental Health Support
for At Risk Clients
The Gunnison Valley Health Foundation is the recipient of $12,700 in grant
funds to serve the residents at the Senior Care Center (SCC) and Assisted
Living facility through the hiring of a part-time Peer Support Specialist
(PSS), trained and focused on serving the senior population. The PSS will
be available to SCC residents 10 hours/week to aid in the mental health
response and recovery for this vulnerable population with unique needs.
Additional funding was also received to serve the residents at the Senior
Care Center through the purchase of 10.2-inch retina display Wi-Fi and
Cellular enabled iPads that have allowed residents to connect with relatives
and loved ones. Grant funds will also be used to serve those in our community
struggling with substance abuse relapse and associated mental health struggles
through supporting additional Peer Support Specialist availability. We
deeply appreciate the support of our local Community Foundation.
Newsletter
Keep up-to-date with what is happening at Gunnison Valley Health and the
Foundation through our newsletters.