Growing toward community-engaged leadership
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From the desk of Harvest Foundation President Kate Keller
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Martinsville-Henry County is a community of reinvention. Local industry evolved from farming and tobacco to thriving textile and furniture operations. Now, we're making our own path in manufacturing, small business, and entrepreneurship. We learned that diversity in thought, industry, and business makes us a stronger community.
In the foundation's early days, board members largely came from corporate backgrounds and ran the board similarly. The endowment flourished and grants grew significantly, but there was no defined structure for community engagement. Strategic planning happened in-house, and the community looked to Harvest to address many needs.
The more we learn, the more we grow, and we've seen substantial progress and an evolution in how we approach our work at Harvest.
We're steadily moving toward community-engaged leadership, which allows us to dive deep and really meet the needs of residents in MHC. Our last strategic planning progress took nine months and involved community engagement from start to finish. Our priorities should match the community's priorities.
Why is this important? Developing a community-driven plan gives everyone a voice. We are intentional about who is at the table, which is not always easy. We do what we can to support and lift voices that aren't always heard.
We won't always get it right, but we are learning and always open to better ways of serving our community. At our upcoming Project Hope Community Listening Sessions (April 24, 25, 27), tell us what you think, and join us in our mission to build hope and a better tomorrow in MHC.
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Project Hope is a small grants program designed to fund grassroots projects and programs that build hope in communities and get residents involved through volunteerism and positive community engagement. We need your voice.
What will bring hope to your neighborhood? Bring your ideas to an upcoming Community Listening Session!
Session #1: April 24, 6-8 p.m. Laurel Park Middle School — 280 Laurel Park Ave., Martinsville, VA 24112
Session #2: April 25, 6-8 p.m. Bassett High School — 85 Riverside Drive, Bassett, VA 24055
Session #3: April 27, 6-8 p.m. Martinsville High School — 351 Commonwealth Blvd E, Martinsville, VA 24112
Our goal is to determine community priorities that will drive Project Hope 2023. Your ideas will establish the theme of this year's grants program. The community-led Project Hope Committee will use these themes to evaluate proposals and allocate funding.
All meetings will include light refreshments, dinner vouchers to local restaurants, and door prizes! We hope to see you there.
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Pictured from left are DeWitt House, Lewis Turner, Karen Barley, Betsy Haskins, Rick Ward and Betty "Boots" Turner.
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The Harvest Foundation announces investment for Bassett Library renovation project
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Martinsville, Va. — The Bassett Library Steering Committee and the Blue Ridge Regional Library system today launched a $2.25 million capital campaign supporting an extensive renovation and expansion of the Bassett Library. The Harvest Foundation will invest $396,184 toward the renovation project.
“Libraries are at the heart and in the fabric of the communities they serve — they provide more than just books,” said DeWitt House, senior program officer at The Harvest Foundation. “Libraries are safe, public spaces that welcome everyone and offer resources for people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. Most community members have a story or memory that involves our local library and the impact it had on their lives. Supporting our local libraries is a way to ensure our continued growth in Martinsville-Henry County.”
The capital campaign “Build a Better Library Book by Book,” will raise funds for the renovation, providing much-needed space for added services and storage to meet the needs of the community. Renovations include developing a dedicated area for computers, a larger meeting room with storage, and updated restrooms. Additionally, the meeting room will serve as a free community meeting space during and after library hours.
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| New program officer for health, education to join Harvest
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Dr. Sandy Strayer will begin her role on July 3
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Martinsville, Va. — The Harvest Foundation recently announced the addition of Dr. Sandy Strayer as the new health and education program officer. She will begin her role at the foundation on July 3.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sandy to our team following a months-long national search for the right candidate,” said Kate Keller, president of The Harvest Foundation. “Sandy embraces the foundation’s North Star of Hope and embodies the organizational values that drive our service to Martinsville-Henry County. Her leadership and expertise will support our mission to grow a stronger MHC where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
Strayer said she is excited to begin her new role by listening to community members and getting to know different stakeholders throughout Martinsville-Henry County.
“Spending more than 30 years as an educator has taught me so much, but there are many other areas of the community I haven’t gotten a chance to be involved in and would like to know more about,” Strayer said. “I want to shine a light on the great things happening in our community and encourage others to share that message.”
Strayer currently serves as superintendent of Henry County Public Schools, headquartered in Collinsville, Va. She has nearly two decades of experience working with The Harvest Foundation as a grantee, engaged in professional development initiatives and other programs to grow K-12 education in Martinsville-Henry County. She announced her retirement in January, effective July 1, 2023.
“When I decided to retire from education, I knew I still wanted to support and enhance my community,” Strayer said. “Taking on this role at Harvest seems like the perfect fit to move into this next chapter of my life. The possibilities for growing our community are endless.”
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The Harvest Foundation joins philanthropic coalition to support mental health education in Virginia
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18 philanthropic foundations to collectively provide support for expanded training
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Martinsville, Va. — The Harvest Foundation is collaborating with 17 other philanthropic foundations throughout Virginia to fund expanded REACH behavioral health trainings for primary care providers treating children, adolescents and young adults across the Commonwealth. These foundations contributed more than $170,000 in an effort to address the growing need for improved access to mental health care.
“We provided an investment of $10,000 to support this training so our mental health practitioners in Martinsville-Henry County will have additional tools available to serve our community,” said Kate Keller, president of The Harvest Foundation. “The need for behavioral health services has increased steadily, largely due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we’re committed to supporting proven programs that strengthen our local services for behavioral health.”
The primary goal of the Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP) is to ensure better mental health for children. Through education initiatives, training, and access to specialists, primary care providers are better equipped to screen, diagnose, manage, and treat mental health, ensuring better quality of life for children and their families. VMAP will coordinate two REACH trainings serving up to 80 primary care providers.
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Just Call Granny — Summer Activity Resource Fair
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"Grand-families" can connect to organizations offering summer activities at the Summer Activity Resource Fair, sponsored by Just Call Granny Ministry. Participants will have an opportunity to speak with hosts and register their grandchildren for camps, workshops, sports and more. The fair is on Monday, April 3, from 1-4 p.m. at The TAD Space. Call (276) 734-3331 to find out more.
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There's always something fun to do in
Martinsville-Henry County.
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Make an impact in your community. Share your HOPE.
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We welcome your voice and ideas at The Harvest Foundation.
Our general responsive grants cycle is open year-round with consideration from our Board of Directors once a quarter. Our PUP Small Grants Program is an open process with decisions made in less than six weeks. Project Hope grants support small, grassroots projects with immediate impact.
Give our office a call to schedule an appointment with a program officer.
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About The Harvest Foundation:
The Harvest Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 2002 by the sale of Memorial Hospital. In partnership with the diverse people and organizations that call MHC home, we serve as a long-term catalyst, advocate, and investor to make our community a welcoming place where all can thrive. Our vision is a community where everyone shares in the promise of an MHC that is healthy, prosperous, and vibrant. To date, the foundation has invested more than $158 million in grant dollars back into the community and has an annual grants budget of roughly $10-12 million. To find out more about Harvest, visit www.theharvestfoundation.org.
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Discover Harvest — Add us to your address book to get the latest news from The Harvest Foundation delivered to your inbox.
www.theharvestfoundation.org | (276) 632-3329
134 E. Church St. | P.O. Box 5183
Martinsville, VA 24115
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