Sequoia Hospital Announces Grants to Five Peninsula Nonprofits

Nearly $133,000 in grants awarded to San Mateo County organizations

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (February 8, 2021) - Through five local collaboratives, Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital will provide nearly $133,000 in funding to community-based organizations to support the health and wellness of San Mateo County families, youth, and individuals who are most in need.

“Each of these organizations has a proven track record of affecting change both meaningful and measurable for the most vulnerable populations in our community,” said Bill Graham, Sequoia Hospital president. “We are so proud to be collaborating with them to improve the quality of life in San Mateo County.” By providing funding to collaboratives of nonprofit organizations, they are able to leverage their individual strengths and maximize impact for the neediest in the community. 

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

LifeMoves Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) Program provides critically needed support services to unsheltered people in San Mateo County. Between June 2020 and July 2021, the LifeMoves HOT provided case management and supportive services to more than 1500 people across San Mateo County and helped more than 450 people transition off the streets into either a shelter or stable housing."It takes a village, and we're so grateful for support from the Dignity Health community," says Isa Karabed, senior director of regional initiatives at LifeMoves. "When the basic needs of our unsheltered neighbors are met – shelter, food, security – and we show them someone cares, someone believes in them, then they can regain their dignity and have a real opportunity to rebuild and rejoin our community."

Acknowledge Alliance Collaborative Counseling Program offers direct psychotherapy services to at-risk youth in San Mateo County Court and Community Schools. Youth who receive mental health counseling services learn how to cope with trauma, manage emotions, build healthy relationships, and overcome the adversities in their lives. Their strengths-based and culturally sensitive therapeutic approach leads to resilience, lasting change, and renewed hope for the future. “We’re grateful to partner with Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital in serving our community’s most vulnerable youth through our Collaborative Counseling Program,” said Ryan Magcuyao, Acknowledge Alliance senior development manager. “With Sequoia’s support, the students in our program have over a 90% success rate in staying on track and graduating from high school.”

Operation Access partners with Sequoia Hospital to offer donated surgery and specialty health care for low-income, uninsured people. “As a result of partnerships like this, local community clinic patients have an improved quality of life and ability to work, as they find relief from pain and disability,” said Jason Beers, Operation Access, president and CEO. “Overcoming barriers to accessing health services promotes equity for immigrants and other people who lack access to affordable health insurance.”

Sonrisas Dental Health - School Screening Program provides a dental home to children and adults, including those with physical, developmental or economic challenges. Free dental screenings and education are provided to students at low income schools in San Mateo County. “We appreciate Sequoia Hospital’s support and partnership with our school-based screening program,” said Tracey Carrillo Fecher, Sonrisas Dental Health chief executive officer. “Providing children regular dental care can affect overall health for the rest of their lives. Partners like Sequoia Hospital make that care possible.”

Whole Health for Youth (WHY) Initiative is a collaborative of local agencies that strive to improve systems of support for marginalized youth in North Fair Oaks and Redwood City. Their mission is to improve youth mental health by providing accessible wellness programs, education, and resources to youth and those who support them. WHY Initiative core partners—Friends for Youth, Redwood City PAL (Police Activities League), Siena Youth Center, and One Life Counseling Center—are collaborating in 2022 to create an integrated network of programs that will benefit community members’ mental health in a multifaceted and holistic manner. “We focus on providing bilingual, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed services for Latinx families who face systemic barriers to accessing services,” said Michael Solorio, Friends for Youth partnerships coordinator. “Since its inception in 2018, the WHY Initiative has provided accessible wellness programs and events to over 1,000 families and 250 staff and volunteers.”

About Sequoia Hospital

Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital is an accredited, not-for-profit community hospital providing innovative and exceptional health care for generations of Bay Area residents. Sequoia’s Heart and Vascular Institute is a nationally known pioneer in advanced cardiac care. Sequoia has received national recognition from Healthgrades for superior patient safety and was named as one of America’s top 100 hospitals for cardiac care. Our Total Joint Replacement program is a designated Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement. Our Birth Center is consistently ranked as a favorite among Peninsula families. We are also known for our comprehensive emergency care and leading-edge tomosynthesis 3-D mammogram technology. Our state-of-the-art inpatient pavilion combines the most advanced medical and surgical services with a unique healing environment, including private, spacious rooms and inviting garden areas. To support programs at Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital, visit the Sequoia Hospital Foundation. To learn more about Sequoia Hospital, please visit dignityhealth.org/sequoia.

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