A vital investment in Martinsville-Henry County's future
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A Guest Column from The Harvest Foundation Team
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We began our equity journey as an organization more than two years ago with the hope of furthering our vision and mission to serve Martinsville-Henry County. It is our vision for everyone who lives in MHC to share in the promise of a healthy, prosperous, and vibrant community. To achieve this vision, we must provide opportunities for all voices to have a seat at the table and be heard.
In partnership with CommonHealth ACTION, a national nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., we will offer 10 local organizations the chance to participate in an in-person equity, diversity, and inclusion workshop which will provide tools to bridge divides, promote understanding, and create a brighter future for us all.
Equipping our community with these tools allows us to better identify and understand disparities in various forms, whether it be in education, employment, housing, or other areas. It’s about dismantling barriers that have held some members of our community back for far too long.
When individuals feel included and heard, they are more likely to engage, contribute, and invest in the success of our community.
Embracing equity, diversity, and inclusion is not a one-time thing — it begins with inner work and understanding that drives you to speak up and create change. This is a vital investment in the growth and progress of Martinsville-Henry County’s future. As we embrace this work, we set ourselves up for long-term success, attracting more talent and building a community where businesses and individuals thrive.
This training is open to organizations that have received funding from The Harvest Foundation in the past three years. If you’d like to learn more, visit our website or call (276) 632-3329 ext. 112.
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Pictured from left to right are former Martinsville City Manager Leon Towarnicki, Dr. Sandy Strayer, program officer at The Harvest Foundation, Jim Adams, chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors, and Roger Adams, director of Henry County Parks and Recreation.
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Outdoor pickleball courts coming to Martinsville,
Henry County
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The City of Martinsville, County of Henry each received a $25,000 PUP grant to develop new outdoor pickleball courts
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Martinsville, Va. — Local pickleball players will have more options to enjoy the sport in Martinsville-Henry County with support from The Harvest Foundation’s PUP Small Grants Program.
During the Sept. 15 Pickleball Free-For-All event at the Henry County Recreation Center in Collinsville, representatives from The City of Martinsville and the County of Henry each received a $25,000 PUP grant to repair and restructure outdoor tennis courts to accommodate the pickleball sport.
“These two grants will enhance recreational offerings in our community, provide avenues for physical activity, and community engagement, in addition to representing an investment in the overall well-being of our community,” said Dr. Sandy Strayer, program officer at The Harvest Foundation. “This program exemplifies what can be achieved when we work together for a common goal. I look forward to seeing you all on the courts.”
In Martinsville, the two lower tennis courts at Martinsville High School (351 Commonwealth Blvd E, Martinsville) and the Spruce Street tennis courts (1850 Spruce St, Martinsville) will undergo repairs for cracks, recoating, and re-stripping for tennis and pickleball.
"With pickleball rapidly gaining popularity, we're thrilled to provide our residents with courts where they can enjoy the game and lead an active lifestyle,” said Martinsville Mayor L.C. Jones.
In Henry County, four tennis courts at Jaycee Park (475 Parkwood Ct, Collinsville) will receive repairs for cracks, new paint lines, and equipment for pickleball.
“We are ecstatic to have a dedicated pickleball court in Henry County,” said Roger Adams, Director of Henry County Parks & Recreation. “The growth of this sport is tremendous and we’ve seen the demand for an outdoor venue continue to increase. It will make for a fantastic addition to Jaycee Park.”
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Watch the press conference from Sept. 15 at New College Institute that unveils data from the Henry Martinsville Community Health Equity Assessment and The Harvest Foundation's MHC Health Equity Report.
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From Cardinal News: How the Martinsville region is working to course-correct troubling health numbers
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Health officials have put out a call for Martinsville-Henry County residents to get involved in finding solutions to the region's health challenges
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by Dean-Paul Stephens
September 26, 2023
A pair of surveys has raised concerns about community health in Martinsville and Henry County.
Spearheaded by multiple agencies, including the Harvest Foundation and the Virginia Department of Health, the surveys provide a snapshot into current regional health conditions by analyzing factors such as poverty rates and access to food.
The major takeaway: The Martinsville and Henry County community is underperforming in a number of health outcomes.
“I want you to take into context, this is pulled from a lot of places,” said Pamela Chitwood of the West Piedmont Health District, who said that the data came from local agencies and surveys of residents across socioeconomic backgrounds.
“They are complementary studies that provide needed insights that can help develop programs and policies that address our unique health challenges,” Harvest Foundation President Kate Keller said.
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National Recovery Month — September 2023
Check out this short video series on our YouTube Channel featuring team members from the Piedmont Adult Drug Treatment Court. They talk about their role in the drug court program and what recovery means to them.
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City of Martinsville Public Parks Input
IT ONLY TAKES 20 MINUTES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
The City of Martinsville is taking a collaborative approach to improve its public parks and is seeking input from residents to ensure their voices are heard. In addition to community meetings, this online survey gives those who can't attend a way to contribute to the discussion. Residents of all ages are encouraged to participate.
Complete the survey today! It ends this Sunday, Oct. 1. Click here to access the online survey.
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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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www.theharvestfoundation.org | (276) 632-3329
134 E. Church St. | P.O. Box 5183
Martinsville, VA 24115
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134 E. Church St. P.O. Box 5183 | Martinsville, VA 24115 US
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