-Information courtesy Claire Catherwood, West End Community Watch
Val Short, executive director of Triangle North Healthcare Foundation was the speaker for the most recent West End Community Watch meeting held on Tuesday, November 20. Short explained that the foundation operates with money from a Duke Endowment. The funds are used to award grants to groups working to improve health in our community. Studies have shown that our five areas of greatest need are chronic disease, nutrition and fitness, mental health and substance abuse, reproductive health and success in school.
Since 2013, the foundation has awarded over 60 grants totaling 1.5 million dollars. Grants have been awarded to Access Dental Health, the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Smart Start, Granville-Vance Public Health – in response to the Opioid crisis, the YMCA Water Safety program, the YMCA Girls’ on the Run program, The Shepperd Youth Ranch, NC Med Assist, a Diabetes outreach program, and Trosa – a drug treatment program.
In the police report, all were reminded to be extra careful now that Christmas is approaching. There had been events of purse snatching, burglaries, vehicle break-ins, larcenies, and aggravated assaults. All should avoid carrying valuables and be sure to lock all vehicles.