Kelli Northcutt (left), Executive Director of the Community Health Foundation, and Wendy Stobbe, CEO of North Central Palliative Care and Hospice of NCO discussing Hospice’s new palliative care service.
CHF: Good Health Is Key to Good Lives – Organization Outreach Includes Programming, Education, Scholarships and Grants Story & Photos by Kelli Northcutt It goes without saying that our personal health is important. Good health allows us to live our lives to the fullest, do the things we want to do and be the kind of person, parent, friend and employee we want to be. This past year, we have seen just how important the health of our community is, as well. The health of the community has taken on a new meaning and we have seen more than ever how it affects our personal health and our ability to live, work and function in the larger world around us. The Community Health Foundation has been focused on the health and well-being of individuals and the community since its beginning in 2006. The Foundation was created when a new hospital corporation purchased the nonprofit hospital, Via Christi, that operated in Ponca City for many years. The hospital Board at the time knew that Via Christi managed a private foundation that benefited the health of Kay County and that the new hospital would not be able to do so. The Board made the decision then to form the Community Health Foundation as a separate entity that could carry on the work of the
former Via Christi health foundation. The Community Health Foundation (CHF) is a nonprofit organization that exists to improve the health of the citizens of Kay County primarily through programming, education, scholarships and grants. The Foundation focuses on all ages and virtually every aspect of a person’s health. Each year CHF has an open grant process where organizations and agencies in Kay County apply for funds that will be used with the CHF mission in mind. CHF has made contributions to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma for its Kay County elementary backpack and middle school and high school food pantry nutrition programs; to Survivor Resource Network for domestic abuse victim counseling; to Edwin Fair for community mental health services; to RSVP to support senior adults; to NERA; to NOYS for its Family Resource Program; to the United Way Prescription Program; to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma to assist in launching its Palliative Care service; to the University Center’s Bachelor of Nursing Degree program; to Dearing House; to Golden Villa; and more.
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