Eight grants were awarded to organizations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, those with brain and spinal cord injuries, youth facing emotional, behavioral, and other challenges, and their families and caregivers.
The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation, Sevita’s private foundation, recently announced that it has awarded grants totaling $290,000 to eight organizations in its fiscal year 2022 grant cycle.
The organizations awarded support some of our nation’s most vulnerable populations, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, those with brain and spinal cord injuries, youth facing emotional, behavioral, and other challenges, and their families and caregivers.
“We are proud to support the work of these truly amazing organizations,” said Whitney Shufelt, Executive Director of the Foundation. “When we began this grant program 15 years ago, we did so with the intent of forming lasting partnerships, investing in community organizations, and driving forward real change. It has been wonderful to see these efforts come to fruition and continue to grow.”
Grant recipients include:
- Special Olympics: supporting the Healthy Communities US-based inclusive health program and its digitization efforts (national)
- National Inclusion Project: second year online Inclusive Recreation Specialist Course for recreation and special education professionals (national)
- RespectAbility: funding for two apprentices to complete the National Leadership Program for adults with disabilities (national)
- Oak Hill Centers for Relationship and Sexual Education: supporting the launch of a crisis fund for victims with communication challenges and first responder training of augmentative alternative communication (national)
- Rise Above Foundation: funding for extracurricular, educational, and fun experiences for youth engaged in the child welfare system (Massachusetts)
- United Cerebral Palsy: scholarships for clinicians from underserved communities and non-MD and non-DO health professionals to attend Cerebral Palsy conferences focused on early detection and early intervention (national)
- Kidpower International: supporting the Trauma to Thriving social emotional health program for vulnerable children and adults with IDD (national)
- Autism Empowerment Network: Readiness and autism employment resource center for workers with autism (Pennsylvania)
Grants are awarded to 501(c)(3) organizations whose values align with Sevita’s core belief that everyone has the right to live well. These organizations are change agents within health care and human services and are delivering innovative care, developing new ideas and models to improve access to quality health care, and creating opportunities for individuals to live a full, more independent life.
“The ongoing efforts of these eight organizations have provided support, resources, and a voice for individuals who are often overlooked,” said William McKinney, president and chair of The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation. “In addition, they have evolved and adapted as the landscape in which we work and live continues to shift. Their impact is tangible, and we are happy to be able to support it. We thank them for their dedication and shared commitment to the communities we serve.”
Since its establishment in 2007, The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $3 million to over 300 organizations across 30+ states.
William McKinney served as CEO from September 2019 to January 2023.