ST. JOHNSBURY, VT (January 2, 2026) – The Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) Community Health Fund Advisory Committee awarded a total of $15,000 in grants to seven local organizations, including the Danville School, the Kingdom East School District, the Quahog Dance Theatre for Older Adults, the Orleans Central Supervisory Union – Parent-Teacher-Community Association (OCSU PTCA), RuralEdge Support and Services at Home (SASH), Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA), and Catamount Arts.
These grant recipients will support a range of initiatives that will provide health and wellness programming for youth and older adults, wound care education and resources for people experiencing homelessness, and access to outdoor physical activity opportunities for young people. Grant-supported programs include:
- Danville School
Through its Winter Wellness program, Danville School will support student wellness programming for children and youth ages 3–18 through activities that strengthen social-emotional learning, promote healthy lifestyles, and increase physical activity during the winter months. These programs are designed to foster resilience, encourage healthy habits, and support a positive and inclusive school environment. - Kingdom East School District
Kingdom East School District will implement an Experiential Learning Winter Wellness program across its schools to improve student health and well-being. The program emphasizes physical activity and access to outdoor experiential learning opportunities, helping remove barriers to participation. By increasing access to these activities, students experience improved mental health, greater school engagement, and physical health benefits that contribute to a healthier school community. - Quahog Dance Theatre for Older Adults
Quahog Dance Theatre will offer dance-based health and wellness programming for older adults from diverse backgrounds. Through structured creative movement, participants will build strength, balance, and coordination. The program also promotes social connection through shared experiences and conversation over healthy snacks, supporting both physical and mental well-being. - Orleans Central Supervisory Union – Parent-Teacher-Community Association (OCSU PTCA)
OCSU PTCA will provide family-focused health education and wellness activities to support healthy lifestyles at home. Programming will include education on nutrition, physical activity, and overall wellness, with the goal of preventing chronic illness, strengthening family engagement, and promoting long-term health across the school community. - RuralEdge Support and Services at Home (SASH)
RuralEdge SASH will develop a chair yoga lending library to increase access to gentle movement and physical activity for older adults living in their subsidized housing. Paired with annual assessments and individualized Healthy Living Plans, the lending library will support preventive health, promote independence, and enhance quality of life for seniors. - Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA)
NEKCA will develop and distribute wound care kits to address disease prevention and basic health needs among individuals experiencing homelessness. The program includes wound care education delivered through outreach and engagement efforts in partnership with local organizations, ensuring broad and equitable access within the community. - Catamount Arts
Catamount Arts will provide Open Stage, a weekly substance misuse prevention program that provides a safe, sober, and creative Friday evening alternative for middle and high school youth. Through creative expression and peer connection, the program aims to reduce isolation, build social support, and help youth thrive in a welcoming and supportive environment.
The NVRH Community Health Fund, which has provided support since 2012, awarding over $145,000, ensures continuous funding for community health programs and services that help to improve the health and quality of life for all people in the community. The priority for the current funding cycle is health promotion and disease prevention.
“This fund supports wellness in ways that extend beyond medical care, strengthening communities and promoting good health for people of all ages,” said NVRH Vice President of Community Health Improvement Diana Gibbs. “These programs have a real and lasting impact on both mental and physical health.”
The NVRH Community Health Fund is sustained by generous donors in conjunction with NVRH’s Community Benefit funding. For more information about the NVRH Community Health Fund and the newly funded projects, please visit nvrh.org/community-health-fund.