(Salem, Ore. – November 21, 2024) – Salem Health has awarded $285,000 in Community Health Impact grants to four organizations in Marion and Polk Counties for fiscal year 2024-2025. These partnerships focus on strengthening the health of our urban and rural communities, in alignment with the local Community Health Improvement Plan.

The following organizations received Salem Health’s largest Community Health Impact grants:

• Salem Angels - $75,000 for individuals impacted by foster care, with support to children in care and the entire fostering family unit. This grant will specifically help to enhance their reach to rural/under-resourced areas of Marion and Polk counties.
• Salem Free Clinics - $110,000 for increasing access to medical, behavioral, and dental care in Polk and Marion counties for those who are uninsured, underinsured or have barriers to accessing care.
• Salem for Refugees - $75,000 to help meet three core needs of newly arriving refugees: Transitional Housing, Community Building Activities, and Workforce Development and English Language learning opportunities.
• Polk County Family and Community Outreach - $25,000 for the Fall City Resource Center and Polk County Service Integration Teams. The Fall City Resource center opened this fall and will provide access to in-person resources and telemedicine. The Service Integration Program brings together six teams of local social service providers and community partners to network, share, and fund creative solutions for client needs. 

Recipients of the Community Health Impact investments were chosen, in part, based on enhancing their services to rural areas, aligning with Salem Health’s focus on improving regional equity.

“Salem Health comes alongside these local organizations accomplishing tremendous work for the community,” said Tricia Frizzell, director, Community Outreach, Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics. “Through our grant program, we are honored to partner in multiple ways with these organizations, together, to improve the well-being of our community.”

Community Health Impact investments are a combined effort between Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics and Salem Health Foundations aimed at responding to community-identified needs and supporting initiatives that improve the health of the citizens of Marion and Polk counties. 

Salem Health is active throughout the region with a variety of partnerships, providing both resources and expertise. For more information on priorities and project applications, visit the Community Relations web pages.

The Salem Health Foundation, established in 1968 as a charitable, tax-exempt organization, works to improve the community's health. The Foundation's 12 volunteer directors help raise funds and manage the assets of the Foundation while distributing its resources according to donor intent.

About Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics

Salem Health offers exceptional care to people in and around Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley. It comprises hospitals in Salem and Dallas, a medical group of primary and specialty care providers, plus other affiliated services. Visit us at www.salemhealth.org; “Like” us on www.facebook.com/salemhealth; follow us on Instagram and X: @salemhealth; and view us at www.youtube.com/salemhealth. 

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