Simply Healthcare Plans Announces $93,925 Investment in Seven Nonprofit Community Organizations Through Simply NeighborGood Challenge
Winners Are Among 70+ Community-Based Organizations That Submitted Videos to Compete for Grants from Simply
JULY 29, 2022
MIAMI, FL — Seven nonprofit organizations across Florida received grants totaling $93,925 from Simply Healthcare Plans (“Simply”) to improve the health and wellness of the socially vulnerable. Grantees were selected from more than 70 organizations that submitted video applications through the Simply NeighborGood Challenge.
“Simply strives to improve health and wellbeing of our neighbors across Florida by addressing health inequalities and strengthening our communities through strategic partnerships and programs, like the Simply NeighborGood Challenge,” said Holly Prince, President of Simply. “We are proud to offer grants to community-based organizations that support their programming and activities to enhance the health and wellness of the socially vulnerable.”
The Simply NeighborGood Challenge launched in April to identify partnerships and programs in communities across Florida that can help address health inequities. Community-based organizations were encouraged to apply for the chance to earn up to $15,000 in grant funding. Applicants submitted short videos that demonstrated their progress toward addressing social determinants of health and anticipated impact of their programs in their community.
305 Pink Pack, an organization that provides vital direct and support services at no cost to local women in cancer treatment, earned the top prize of $15,000.
“305 Pink Pack designs a program specific to each member’s needs to ensure equitable access to their cancer care,” said Rosemary Carrera, breast cancer survivor and president of 305 Pink Pack. “Their program can include transportation for appointments, housekeeping services, groceries, and childcare. The need in our community is great, and we are the only organization in South Florida that provides these comprehensive services.”
Volunteers in Medicine Jacksonville earned the second highest grant of $14,425. The organization was founded in 2003 to provide free primary and specialty care for up to 16 specialties, including mental health and vision care.
“We are making an impact on the health of our community and the funding is going to help us with our women’s health initiative,” said Jennifer Ryan, CEO of Volunteers in Medicine Jacksonville. “Two-thirds of our patients are women, and we want to keep them healthy and provide the vital screenings that they need, detecting chronic illnesses early on, keeping them healthy and out of emergency rooms.”
The winning organizations are diverse in their mission and focus but all aim to make their communities a better place:
305 Pink Pack (Miami-Dade). Providing free services to women in South Florida going through cancer treatment.
Early Learning Coalition of Flagler & Volusia (Daytona Beach). Working to enhance children’s school readiness by providing opportunities for quality early learning, while strengthening family stability for a healthy community.
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida (Tampa). Working to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
Girls Inc. (Jacksonville). Inspiring girls to be strong, smart, and bold by providing girls in the Jacksonville community with life-changing experiences and solutions to the unique challenges girls face.
HEBNI (Orlando). Educating high-risk, culturally diverse populations about nutrition strategies to prevent diet-related diseases.
Sober Lyfe (Tampa). Helping individuals through their recovery journey by providing an array of support and resources such as housing, support groups, counselors and job placement.
Volunteers in Medicine Jacksonville (Jacksonville). Free outpatient primary and specialty medical services to working, low-income and uninsured individuals and families in Northeast Florida.
To ensure grant funding reached communities most in need, the Simply NeighborGood Challenge emphasized program working to create equity in maternal health, food as medicine, mental health, education & literacy and more.
About Simply Healthcare Plans
Simply Healthcare Plans, Inc. (“Simply”), is a Florida managed health care plan that serves Medicare Advantage and Medicaid members in the state of Florida. In addition, Simply, through a line of business called Clear Health Alliance, also serves Florida Medicaid members who are living with HIV/AIDS. Our goal is to provide healthcare and related services that are comprehensive, integrated and patient-centered. Each and every day, members of our team can be found in Florida communities, listening to our members, interacting with our health care providers and partnering with community-based organizations. Our goal is to ensure members and entire communities are empowered to become active participants in their health care and sustain healthy lifestyles. To learn more about Simply, visit www.simplyhealthcareplans.com.