Salem Health is pleased to present a $50,000 Community Partnership Grant to the Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties.

Grant funds will be used to hire a full time coordinator for the Triple Play initiative – an initiative to encourage healthy and active lifestyles among youth. Salem Health introduced the Community Partnership Grant program in Oct. 2014 and will grant a total of $306,382 in 2017. Successful initiatives improve the quality of life for those most at risk in our community and decrease the need for catastrophic care and its associated social, emotional and economic costs.

“Triple Play is a multi-faceted program promoting wellness for Club members, ages 6-18. Kids learn how eating smart, keeping fit and forming positive relationships add up to a healthy lifestyle,” said Kyle Buse, Athletics Director of Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties. “The support of Salem Health ensures that we can offer this important program at all Clubs in Salem, Keizer and Woodburn.”

For over 46 years, Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties has provided youth with support to reach their full potential. Through a comprehensive range of services, it sets up children and teens for success by preparing them with the essential life, academic and career-related skills to succeed.

“One of the key goals of the community partnership grants is to improve the quality of life for those most at risk in our community,” said Sharon Heuer, Director of Community Benefit at Salem Health. “We know that Triple Play will help kids in need learn how to take better care of themselves, and we’re excited to partner with Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties to help make the program a reality in our community.”

Community Partnership Grant funding encourages innovative collaboration and engagement among community organizations that share a common vision for better health and meet community health needs identified by the Salem Health Board of Trustees. Current priorities for projects include obesity prevention, tobacco and substance use and early childhood health.  

Salem Health — an OHSU Partner — offers exceptional care to people in and around Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley. It comprises hospitals in Salem and Dallas, a medical group of primary and specialty care providers, plus other affiliated services. Visit us at www.salemhealth.org; “Like” us on www.facebook.com/salemhealth; follow us on Twitter: @salemhealth; and view us at www.youtube.com/salemhealth.