Staff Report
As part of the Parkinson’s Foundation’s issuance of $1.5 million in community grants for Parkinson’s programs, the Parkinson Association of Santa Barbara (PASB) has been awarded $5,000 for a Latino outreach program.
Community grants support local health, wellness and educational programs that address unmet needs in the Parkinson’s disease (PD) community.
“We are proud to continue to provide community grants and expand programs and resources that focus on diverse and underserved populations within the PD community,” said John L. Lehr, president/CEO of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “With COVID-19 impacting the world and Parkinson’s community as a whole, this is a vital year for the Parkinson’s Foundation to provide support and funding for grant recipients who remain committed and undeterred in their commitment to make life better for people with Parkinson’s.”
The Parkinson’s Foundation awarded more than $1.5 million in community grants, ranging from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $25,000 per grant application.
This year’s grant cycle focused on three areas: programs that provide services for diverse and underserved populations, initiatives that reach the newly diagnosed, and programs that address mental health and Parkinson’s.
“The Parkinson Association of Santa Barbara has been planning to extend its popular exercise program, support groups and educational programs to the Latino population of Santa Barbara,” said Barbara Levi, PASB Board president. “This grant helps us move those plans forward, starting with a free Spanish-language Facebook Live exercise class that kicks off on Aug. 21.”
This year, the Parkinson’s Foundation launched the Centers of Excellence Community Outreach Resource Education (CORE) grants to support community-based education and outreach programs that address unmet needs in the Parkinson’s community.
The foundation awarded 19 CORE grant recipients across the Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence network for programs that align with the community grants focus areas and offer a variety of innovative therapies, programs and professional healthcare training.
Centers of Excellence are designated medical centers with a specialized Parkinson’s care team that practices the latest treatments and research while providing the best care.
Programs funded by the Parkinson’s Foundation community grants also include wellness, dance, music therapy and educational classes and services that can help people with Parkinson’s live better with the disease. These programs will benefit communities in 37 states across the country.
Since 2011, the Parkinson’s Foundation has funded more than 436 community-based programs that help address unmet needs for people with PD. To view the full list of the 2020 community grant recipients, visit https://www.parkinson.org/get-involved/Community-Grants/Recipients/2020.
