Sequoia Healthcare District approves Recipients of Funding in Annual Community Grants and Special Grants Programs

Healthy, Active and Engaged Youth, Healthy, Active and Engaged Older Adults, Staying Healthy in Time of Disaster

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Redwood City, CA, June 11, 2008 -- Sequoia Healthcare District approved funding for fifteen programs through its Community Grants Program. The District's Board of Directors approved $1 million in 15 new grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to be funded in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008 and ending on June 30, 2009.

"These grants are a clear demonstration of the District's priorities for funding for the year and addresses the clearly identified needs in the community," said Dev Mahadevan, Interim Executive Director. "We have been able to get local agencies working together to improve their programs for serving the community, especially in times of disaster."

Sequoia Healthcare District pledged $100,000 for Advocates for Children to provide more culturally sensitive services to foster children in the District. A grant for $100,000 was approved for The Shelter Network to provide nutritionally well-balanced meals for children in after school programs while also teaching them healthy living habits including diet and exercise. The Alliance of Nonprofits for San Mateo County will received $98,000 in funding to continue and expand to help non profit organizations prepare for disaster response.

One of the larger grants, for $93,000 was for a credentialed school nurse for the Sequoia Union High School District, which will continue to provide for health services to children in school. Another grant for $95,000 will help the Riekes Center for Human Enhancement provide an After-School Student Fitness Program which provides nutritional counseling, athletic fitness and peer mentoring for students.

Proposals were reviewed by Sequoia Healthcare District staff and a Community Grants Review Committee comprised of the District's Interim Executive Director, a District Board member and three members from the community. In a public meeting on Wednesday, June 4, 2008, the Board voted to approve the recommendations of the Committee and award the funds as presented. Non-profit organizations that are tax exempt under the IRS code section 501 (c) (3) were eligible to apply for the grants.

Those interested in further information on Sequoia Healthcare District's Community Grants Program can contact the Program Manager, Diana Haigwood at (650) 599-9850.

About Sequoia Healthcare District
Headquartered in Redwood City, Sequoia Healthcare District has been providing healthcare through Sequoia Hospital since the early 1950s. In 1996, the District transferred operation of the Hospital to a non-profit organization in partnership with Catholic Healthcare West. In December 2007, the District entered into an agreement with its partner CHW to re-build Sequoia Hospital. The District works collaboratively with local organizations to provide for the health care needs of the District's residents. District tax revenues are used for innovative programs and activities to achieve health, wellness and disease prevention in Southern San Mateo County. Communities in the District include Redwood City, San Carlos, Belmont, Menlo Park, Woodside, Atherton and Portola Valley.

Media Contact: Phone: 650. 482.6115 Fax: 650.482.6056 170 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City, CA 94062