George Kaiser Family Foundation gives $7.2 M to area nonprofits
BY MIKE AVERILL World Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
1/08/13 at 8:43 AM
Search a Tulsa World database of grants given out by the George Kaiser Family Foundation.
The George Kaiser Family Foundation has announced $7.2 million in grants for more than 100 local social service agencies. Twelve of those grants include matching challenges.
More than $4.3 million will go to support human service organizations and about $1.4 million will support community health initiatives. Nearly $1.5 million was granted to early childhood and education programs in September.
"Organizations in Tulsa are working hard to help meet the needs of many Tulsans who struggle to obtain basic needs and other critical services," said Ken Levit, the foundation's executive director. "The foundation is pleased to present these Social Services Safety Net 2012 year-end grants to assist organizations as they serve more individuals and families throughout the community."
Agencies receiving funding include the Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa, Tulsa Community College Foundation, KIPP Tulsa, Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, Domestic Violence Intervention Services, Helping Women Recover, Mental Health Association in Tulsa and Metropolitan Tulsa Urban League.
The largest grant is $518,600 for Family & Children's Services, a portion of which is to support a partnership between the agency and Morton Comprehensive Health Services to provide comprehensive health care to uninsured patients with serious mental illness.
In October 2011 the two agencies partnered to create the Integrated Health Clinic at Family & Children's Services midtown location, 2325 S. Harvard Ave.
The clinic, which serves the agency's mental health clients, is currently open one day a week, on Tuesdays. The grant will allow the clinic to also be open on Fridays.
"People with serious mental illness live significantly shorter lives - a full 25 years shorter - than the general population. These folks often have unmanaged health conditions, no access to primary care and higher incidences of smoking and other unhealthy behaviors," said Krista Lewis, chief program officer of mental health and addiction services at Family & Children's Services.
"By funding the clinic, George Kaiser Family Foundation is increasing the most vulnerable clients' access to medical care. The end goal is longer, better lives for these individuals," she said.
Since opening, the clinic has provided more than 350 clients with medical care.
Lewis said the grant will allow that number to double in the next year.
"That's 600 people who will be both mentally and physically healthier, and who won't be turning up at hospital emergency departments for basic care or forgoing treatment altogether," she said.
Morton will receive an additional $117,000 to support treatment, primary care and prevention services to its clients.
The Mental Health Association in Tulsa is receiving $275,000 to continue its work with young people struggling with mental health-related issues including depression, substance abuse, bullying, and various forms of self-destructive behavior and suicide.
"This recent gift from the foundation allows us to continue serving people living on our streets and in our shelters who are suffering with mental illness and substance abuse, providing them with affordable housing and employment opportunities as they work to reclaim their lives and dignity," said Mike Brose, the agency's executive director.
Other recipients
Here's a look at some of the other large grants from George Kaiser Family Foundation.
Parent Child Center of Tulsa: $165,000 for its SafeCare program, which helps parents dealing with family trauma, violence and other life challenges develop effective parenting skills through home visits.
Camp Fire USA Green Country: $155,000 to enable it to provide weekly Camp Fire experiences for boys and girls at 25 Tulsa area and Union schools.
Youth Services of Tulsa: $150,000 for its Transitional Living program.
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma: $84,880 to provide a full-time attorney to work with Women in Recovery candidates and supervise University of Tulsa College of Law interns.
Source: George Kaiser Family Foundation
Original Print Headline: Foundation gives $7.2M in grants
Mike Averill 918-581-8489
mike.averill@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
George Kaiser Family Foundation Executive Director Ken Levit
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