RUTLAND—The Bowse Health Trust Committee has announced funding approval for two new projects. Each project will receive up to three years of funding starting in 2017. In the past 20 years, the Bowse Health Trust has funded a total of 58 programs, which target residents of all ages in the Rutland County community. With the additional $258,000 awarded in this round, the trust has now committed over $4 million to improve the health of the community.
Park Rx (Parks Prescriptions)
The Park Rx program’s objective is to help Rutland County residents improve their health by playing outdoors on a regular basis, by prescription from their local health care partners. Parks Rx is designed in collaboration with public land agencies, healthcare providers and community partners to encourage people to use parks, trails and open space for the purpose of improving individual and community health. Partners in this effort include: Rutland Regional Medical Center, Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region, Vermont State Parks, Vermont Orthopedic Clinic, Therapydia, Dr. Scheck, DPM and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Vermont.
Three Steps Forward for young men
The goal of the Three Steps Forward program for young men is to assist young men on the path to self-sufficiency. This path includes economic independence, housing security, and making healthy choices. A unique curriculum integrates male role models and/or mentors, participation in small groups or cohorts, healthy lifestyles and building relationships and networks of support. The program is hosted by the Rutland Region Workforce Investment Board and partners include: Vermont Adult Learning, VocRehab, Vermont Department of Labor, Mill River Union High School, West Rutland School’s Mentor Connector and the Rutland Young Professionals.
The Bowse Health Trust was developed in 1996 by the Rutland Regional Health Services, the parent company of Rutland Regional Medical Center. The trust provides seed money to fund projects in the Rutland Region that are aimed at improving the health status of people in the community.
The next grant cycle will be announced in April 2017. Grants are awarded annually. The application information is posted on the RRMC website, rrmc.org. For more information call Sarah Narkewicz at 802-747-3770.
