Kaiser Permanente Awards Grants to Local Community Organizations

Kaiser Permanente has awarded $966,000 in grants to 31 programs serving southern Alameda County as part of its annual Community Benefit grants program. The funded programs will address pressing community health needs including mental health services with financial awards ranging from $15,000 to $50,000. This represents an increase of about $271,000 in Kaiser Permanente’s local community giving.

"At Kaiser Permanente we are deeply committed to the overall health of our members and of the communities we serve. Through these grants, we are building healthier and safer communities, reaching underserved communities and those most in need," said Michelle Gaskill-Hames, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente in southern Alameda County.

Kapil Dhingra, MD, physician-in-chief of the Kaiser Permanente San Leandro Medical Center said, "Our community health program addresses 'social determinants of health’ that impact total health such as housing insecurity, food insecurity, and public safety."

"We're proud we have the opportunity to support even more of programs and organizations that improve community health in southern Alameda County," added Physician-in-Chief Eric Cain, MD, of the Kaiser Permanente Fremont Medical Center.

The programs funded this year include:

• La Clinica de la Raza: The grant will help La Clinica increase access to non-medical social services and expand its nutrition education program, which serves low-income families.
• Downtown Streets Team: The grant will help homeless individuals beautify their neighborhoods in Ashland and Cherryland.
• San Leandro Unified School District: The grant will allow the school district to provide additional services to children who have experienced traumatic situations.
• Alameda County Community Food Bank: The grant will support the Children’s Food Program, by distributing healthy, fresh produce to families in need.

In addition to these local grants, Kaiser Permanente has recently launched regional and national efforts to combat homelessness and gun violence.

Kaiser Permanente operates two medical centers in southern Alameda County, in Fremont and San Leandro, as well as medical offices in Hayward and Union City.