Media release from Atrium Health Floyd:
Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation has again awarded $1.3 million in grants to Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center and Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center that will be used to support 43 community agencies working to positively affect the health and well-being of citizens throughout the region.
The awards were announced Wednesday at Berry College’s Christopher-Browning Pavilion at Oak Hill.
It marks the second consecutive year the foundation has provided more than $1 million for such agencies across northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama.
“There are so many organizations doing impactful work that truly improves the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Dan Bevels, foundation president. “These grants will go a long way in helping them not only continue their efforts, but also expand them, creating even greater positive change in our communities.
“We saw nearly a 60% increase in applicants during this year’s grant cycle, which made the selection process incredibly difficult,” Bevels continued. “Every applicant is doing meaningful work and deserves support. We’re committed to finding ways to support whether through funding, educational resources, or collaborative opportunities.”
Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation was established in 2021 as a result of the strategic combination of Floyd and Atrium Health. As a result of that combination, the parties along with the Hospital Authority of Floyd County and Cedartown-Polk County Hospital Authority wanted to create a lasting way to improve the communities they serve.
Registered non-profit, public charities and educational institutions serving Bartow, Chattooga, Floyd, Gordon and Polk counties in Georgia and Cherokee County, Alabama are eligible to apply for grant funds when the application process opens.
Applicants’ projects address access to health care or health-improvement programs, including those that focus on mental health and substance abuse; access to care; food access and security; housing security and heart health.
The latest recipients include the following organizations and projects:
100 Black Men of Rome, $10,000 – Partners with corporations, foundations, and other nonprofit organizations to promote preventative health strategies and provide education on prevalent diseases affecting African Americans.
A Teen’s Choice, $20,000 – Provides lessons on life skills, mentoring sessions and mental wellness groups.
Bloom our Youth, $25,000 – Supports at-risk youth by providing therapeutic mental health services and foster care support.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Gordon, Murray and Whitefield County, $10,000 – Will provide activity support and educational opportunities for club members.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Northwest Georgia $70,000 – Will fund the continuation of Project Learn, an evidenced-based educational program.
Brighter Birthdays Inc. $2,500 – Gives toys, math games and backpack items to youth who might miss out on celebrating a birthday.
CASA of Polk and Haralson Inc., $10,000 – Arranges advocates for children in court proceedings.
Cedartown United Fund Inc., $15,500 – Provides a variety of community needs, including food and clothing, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products and prescription assistance.
Cherokee Baptist Helping Hands Ministry, $10,000 – Works to support those who might need help with housing in Cherokee County, Alabama.
Children and Seniors Assistance Foundation, $7,500 – Supports those who are at risk of homelessness in Cherokee County, Alabama.
Cancer Navigators Inc, $9,000 – Will continue to increase access to care for cancer patients and help maintain a database to more adequately provide services.
Community Resource Center of Chattooga, $40,000 – Will fund training and costs associated with workshops to empower individuals experiencing poverty in Chattooga County.
Community Share Ministries, $100,000 – Provides hunger and homeless relief.
Exchange Club Family Resource Center, $105,950 – The center works to prevent child abuse by supporting families by strengthening parenting and life skills.
Extended Family, $5,000 – Provides curriculum for students in grades K-12 in Cherokee County, Alabama, who have a loved one incarcerated.
ESP Rome $20,000 – Theorganization operates a summer camp for children and adults with disabilities.
Family Care Center Inc., $30,000 – Provides essential cooking staples to support families in need across Cherokee County.
Family Crisis Center of Walker, Dade, Catoosa and Chattooga counties, $35,000 – Will fund a recreational and wellness space for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault and child abuse.
Ferst Readers of Polk, $5,000 – Provides free books to children under the age of 5.
Free Clinic of Rome, $30,000 – Provides medical care, medications and nutritional education.
Georgia Health Family Alliance, $15,000 – Supports Tar Wars anti-smoking and anti-vaping education and prevention materials.
Global Impact International, $70,000 – Will expand holistic prevention and intervention services at Restoration Rome, enhancing family reunification services.
Harbor House Northwest Georgia Child Advocacy Center, $32,019 – Provides a safe, child-friendly environment in Polk County where victims of abuse can receive coordinated services, including forensic interviews, advocacy, medical evaluations and trauma-informed mental health services.
Haven Health Clinic of Rome, $5,000 – Funds essential lessons on pregnancy, parenting and life skills.
Helping Hands Ending Hunger, $42,000 – Provides hunger relief, gardening supplies and educational opportunities in Floyd and Polk counties.
Hospitality House for Women, $45,070 – Organization is working to establish a Child and Family Crisis Intervention program and to better connect clients with community resources.
Lookout Mountain Cares Community Resources Enriching Our Society, Inc., $10,000 – Funding will assist the residents of Chattooga County by providing food and housing security.
Lovejoy Community Services, $35,000 – Operates theannual Summer Explosion in Rome as well as anti-hunger initiatives.
NAMI Rome Inc., $5,000 – The organization advocate for better lives for individuals who have a mental illness.
Northwest Georgia Hunger Ministries, $87,000 – Provides food for the hungry in Floyd, Polk and Chattooga counties.
Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition, $15,000 – Will help provided needed nutrition and cancer detecting screenings.
NWGA Center for Independent Living, $5,000 – Funds will be used to construct ramps to ease access for people with disabilities.
Open Door Home Inc., $40,000 – Provides services for youth recovering from trauma.
Rising Sun Recovery, $100,000 – Provides housing and employment counseling for young adults recovering from substance use in Polk County.
Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth, $14,000 – Works to empower children and youth to reach their full potential through collaboration, advocacy and visibility.
The Salvation Army Rome, $25,000 – Will provide resources to assist struggling families and individuals to gain stability and self-sufficiency.
Sexual Assault Center of Northwest Georgia, $45,000 – Enhances equitable and accessible prevention and response services for sexual abuse survivors.
Sharing Inc., $15,000 – Supports the Rome Food Assistance Co-op, a food pantry alternative.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace Inc., $2,500 – Purchases beds for children in time of need.
Summit Quest Adventures Inc., $7,500 – Provides support programs to serve families facing a cancer diagnosis.
The Children’s Advocacy Center of Cherokee County, $15,000 – Educates the local community on the importance of child abuse prevention and encourages active community involvement in protecting children.
William S Davies Homeless Shelter, $80,000 – Provides shelter, counseling and benefit services.
YMCA of Rome and Floyd County, $25,000 – Organizes youth development programs that prioritize emotional well-being and mental health.