To further advance the foundations of healthcare in East County, the Grossmont Healthcare District awarded over $1.3 million in grants and sponsorships to local nonprofits and health organizations during the fiscal year of 2020-21.

The district since 1996 has supported a variety of local nonprofit health-related organizations through its grant program, looking to address healthcare needs that might go unmet for its more than 500,000 East County residents.

Awarded grants enable these organizations to continue building on the connection between community, wellness, and accessibility, benefiting the most underserved populations in the area.

Among the highest awards went to the Grossmont Union High School District, granted over $200,000 to its “Health Career Pathway Initiative” program. The initiative strategically and efficiently addresses the shortage of healthcare workers through providing more than 2,000 students with experience in the healthcare field. Designed to bring awareness to the possibility of a career in healthcare, the program complements nationwide public health efforts to build a workforce that meets current and future healthcare needs.

Volunteers in Medicine also emerged as a top awardee, receiving $118,277 for its free clinic to continue serving over 50,000 uninsured residents who reside in the East region.

Grant and sponsorship applicants interested in the next round of awards can begin applying on July 1, 2021. Applications are reviewed and approved through December 31, 2021.

The remaining 2020-21 grants and sponsorships were awarded to the following organizations:

• Alzheimer’s SD – $27,500
• Boys & Girls Club – $10,000
• Burn Institute – $34,000
• Caring Community Living With Cancer – $14,996
• Center for Community Solutions – $25,000
• Challenge Center – $25,000
• Champions for Health – $25,000
• Crisis House – $25,000
• ElderHelp of San Diego – $44,000
• Eric Paredes Save A Life – $10,000
• Home of Guiding Hands – $69,000
• Home Start, Inc. – $30,000
• Jacobs & Cushman Food Bank – $14,000
• Jewish Family Service of San Diego – $40,000
• La Maestra Family Clinic, Inc. – $35,000
• La Mesa City Hope – $15,000
• Mama’s Kitchen – $25,000
• Meals on Wheels – $39,377
• Mountain Empire Union HSD – $25,000
• Noah Homes – $40,000
• San Diego Blood Bank – $30,000
• San Diego Freedom Ranch – $250,000
• Serving Seniors – $30,000
• St. Madeline’s – $25,000
• Survivors of Torture – $25,000
• Trauma Intervention Programs of SD – $8,000
• Vista Hill – $30,000
• “American Heart Association (Event) SD Heart & Stroke Walk” – $5,000.00
• “ElderHelp of San Diego (Event) Essence of Life Awards & Charity Auction” – $3,000.00
• “Leukemia & Lymphoma (Event) Light the Night” – $10,000.00