Health & Human Services

The Foundation's support for Health & Human Services has included grants across a broad range of focus areas primarily design to lessen the barriers that families face as they strive to improve their prospects for economic mobility. Foundation grants span from providing infrastructure support for food pantries and weather-related disaster organizations, access to cutting edge equipment and other health care services, and support for families in need through organizations such as local family resource centers.   In one example, the Foundation has provided ongoing support for organizations that are fighting the effects of substance use in the community.

Despite improving access to resources, many local residents continue to battle against the effects of substance use and abuse. Local law enforcement estimates that 90% of County arrests are drug-related while EMS shares that are multiple calls for overdose related health ailments each year.  In an effort to create a long-term change in the culture of substance use, the Felix E. Martin Jr. Foundation has provided over $550,000 in ongoing operating support for Champions for a Drug-Free Muhlenberg County (Champions) since 2010.  Champions is a coalition of local volunteers and organizations who are passionate about and committed to preventing substance use in Muhlenberg County. As substance abuse is a community-wide problem and must be combatted by citizens from all sectors of the community, Champions is comprised of nearly 100 volunteer members including businesspeople, school employees and students, law enforcement, health professionals, and elected officials.

Basing their work on national models showing that prevention and early intervention are the strongest approaches to reduce the long-term impact of substance abuse, Champions seeks to change the local culture and perception around substance use and provide resources for those who struggle with addiction. Coalition strategies include mounting a robust public awareness campaign, providing prevention curriculum at all grade levels within the school system, training a youth coalition, providing drug mitigation programs, and hosting multiple community training opportunities.