Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) has awarded nearly $350,000 in Healthy Kids, Healthy Families (HKHF) grants to 15 community-based organizations statewide for 2021. The organizations were chosen through a competitive grant application process.
The funding is part of BCBSNM’s continuing commitment to improve the health and wellness of children and their families throughout New Mexico.
“Through the Healthy Kids, Healthy Families grant program, BCBSNM supports the needs of New Mexico communities,” said Janice Torrez, BCBSNM president. “It is an important part of advancing our purpose in New Mexico. We look for opportunities to collaborate with organizations and community partners through funding, outreach and education to make a difference in people’s lives and the communities we serve.”
Established in 2011, the HKHF grant program is designed to encourage health education, promote physical activity, prevent and manage disease, and support safe environments. The program works through investments and partnerships with nonprofit organizations that offer sustainable, measurable programs that improve the lives of New Mexicans.
Annually, the HKHF grant program receives numerous applications from 501(c)(3) organizations across New Mexico. Each application is vetted based on impact, feasibility, capacity, collaboration and sustainability.
This year’s HKHF grantees include:
Northern New Mexico
- Villa Therese Catholic Clinic (Santa Fe): Aiding patients with basic needs, including nutrition and preventive COVID-19 measures and improving access to quality, affordable health care for vulnerable community members.
Central New Mexico
- Cuidando los Niños (Albuquerque): Supporting children and families experiencing homelessness with early childhood education, nutritious foods and life skills programs.
- National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation (Albuquerque): Promoting youth health and wellness through Circo Latino and Circo Radical summer programs.
- New Mexico Kids Matter (Albuquerque): Providing advocacy and support services that will prepare teen foster youth for their transition out of foster care and into healthy and safe adulthood and independent living situations.
- Oasis Albuquerque: Helping older adults maintain foot health by providing a nail health clinic and helping to reduce fear and risk of falls by offering the evidence-based Matter of Balance program.
- Saranam (Albuquerque): Supporting families who have exited Saranam’s housing program with ongoing case management, education and advocacy.
- St. Felix Pantry (Rio Rancho): Providing food for weekends and nutrition education for children in need at the Title I Puesta Del Sol Elementary School.
- United Way of Central New Mexico – Mission: Families (Albuquerque): Increasing family stability in the Mission: Families program by improving the United Way database and referral system, providing additional trainings and convenings related to Trauma Informed Care, and providing direct resources for families to address immediate needs. In addition to the HKHF grant, funding was also provided for the COVID-19 Recovery Fund and the Pueblo Relief Fund.
Southern New Mexico
- Jardin de los Niños (Las Cruces): Positively impacting generational poverty by meeting the basic needs of families experiencing homelessness through the Weekend Anti-Hunger project and through direct therapy services.
- New Mexico State University Foundation – Dental Hygiene/Amador Health (Las Cruces): Providing no-cost dental hygiene services for people who otherwise wouldn’t receive care.
- New Mexico State University Foundation – Fit Families (Las Cruces): Helping children and their families eat healthier, get active and feel more positive through health education.
- Play Sharity Foundation (Deming): Helping low-income families create active play learning environments in their own homes by providing bikes, scooters, gross motor development toys, sports equipment and obstacle course playsets to borrow at no cost.
- Sierra County Health Council (Truth or Consequences): Employing an obesity prevention program for youth and dispersing healthier foods to low-income families in Sierra County.
Statewide
- New Mexico Dental Association Foundation: Providing extensive dental care to low-income elderly, disabled people and veterans who could not otherwise afford or obtain needed treatment.
- New Mexico Lions Crane Reading Program: Providing vouchers for eye exams and glasses for children not covered by Medicaid or insurance.
