Independent Health Foundation

Wishing everyone a joyful Juneteenth as we celebrate Black resilience and achievement. Let's uplift our Black neighbors today and every day by learning and growing together as a community.   To learn more about the significance of Juneteenth, head to the National Museum of African American History & Culture's website: https://lnkd.in/gqvPZFF

We’ve shared a lot about our awesome mixed-gender Soccer for Success program so it’s about time we highlight our other wonderful initiative within Soccer for Success: Girls in the Game (GITG)! 🤩 Just like our other program highlights soccer and Social Emotional Learning life skills in our curriculum, GITG adds a whole extra layer of intentional mentorship. To ensure a safe space for our girls, we have a full women-led coaching team and highlight wellness in all forms that are crucial to a young girl’s emotional and mental development by incorporating wellness journals/daily affirmations. Each week, our girls join together and take a moment out of practice to discuss various topics and check in on their emotional well-being as they share their own perspectives and stories. What a beautiful way to enjoy practice together!! ⚽️❤️ Interested in becoming a Coach-Mentor this upcoming summer season starting Monday, July 8th? 👀 Use the website below to complete our online application: https://lnkd.in/gSB33ZtT

Last week, we shared exciting news about the grant we were awarded from KeyBank Foundation. This article provides further details about the food access work this grant will help us achieve, in collaboration with BUFFALO GO GREEN INC.

We’ve enjoyed spotlighting our programs and the people who make it all possible! To wrap up our #MeetTheTeam series, we’re introducing the Foundation’s Directors, Carrie and April. As Executive Director, Carrie builds and maintains partnerships with individuals and groups to ensure we are having a positive impact across WNY. In her role as Director of Operations, April leads the Foundation’s public relations, advertising, marketing and social media efforts, as well as staffing, and general logistics.

Happy Week 7 of Spring Outdoor programming to our Soccer for Success participants! Checkout some highlights from last week’s Game Day for our afternoon program participants. The positive vibes were flowing as we are so proud of the progress each participant has made thus far this season! We even had a friendly coaches vs. kids scrimmage during the last few minutes of our 3rd-8th grade game to celebrate the amazing afternoon. We’re looking forward to our evening program Game Day this Thursday! If you or anyone you know would be interested in becoming a Coach-Mentor, apply through the link below: https://lnkd.in/gSB33ZtT

We are so excited to share our continued partnership and support from the Key Bank Foundation! Thank you KeyBank for allowing us to provide the Healthy Options at Home program to more families across Western New York. We'd also like to congratulate BUFFALO GO GREEN INC on the grant they were awarded! Looking forward to our collaboration on Healthy Options at Home and working towards our shared vision of addressing local food insecurity.

While you’ve already met one of the Foundation’s mangers (Ana), this week’s #MeetTheTeam is all about our two Managers of Community Initiatives, Jen and Melanie! Jen oversees the Good for the Neighborhood and Soccer for Success programs, providing ongoing support and guidance to help determine their overall strategic plans and partnerships. Additionally, Jen assists with the Foundation’s financials and legal processes. Melanie oversees the Healthy Options program as well as the Foundation’s large-scale events (First Night Buffalo and Kids Run). In addition to managing the Foundation’s evaluation strategy and social media plans, Melanie also serves as a liaison between the Foundation and our parent company, Independent Health, to ensure impactful collaborations. 

On this 2nd anniversary of the terrible tragedy in East Buffalo on May 14, 2022, we remember and honor the victims, survivors, and their families, and continue to find hope, healing, and choose love. #buffalove ❤️💚🖤💚❤️

Continuing along our #MeetTheTeam journey, we’re excited to introduce Tahmina and Veronica, whose roles are integral in keeping our day-to-day operations running smoothly! As Office and Financial Coordinator, Tahmina leads the charge of various activities related to our budget, strategic goals, program evaluation methods, and team development opportunities. Tahmina also serves as the liaison for our Board of Directors, ensuring they are kept informed and involved. In her role as Administrative Assistant, Veronica coordinates varying schedules, oversees our Foundation email and phone, and manages the budget to make sure our finances are in order. To ensure plenty of hands-on support for our programs, Veronica also leads volunteer recruitment and management.

Our very own Executive Director, Carrie Meyer, received the Trocaire College Distinguished Alumni Award last night! We are so proud of her and grateful for her leadership and service to this community. Congrats, Carrie!! #trocairespringsoiree