August 19, 2024 (South Lake, FL) – Live Well Foundation of South Lake completed their Capacity and Empowerment awards cycle at multiple grant celebrations throughout the week.  “The Live Well Foundation board of directors has earmarked funds for healthcare initiatives, with a specific focus on enhancing accessible services for children and mental health care for residents of South Lake County.” said Donna Kirtland, Live Well Foundation Executive Director.  Kirtland noted the $347,783 philanthropic contributions will begin August 20.

The awarded proposals each improve population health in South Lake County and align with the Foundation’s mission to inspire sustainable initiatives that enhance the health and wellness of the South Lake Community. Funds have been granted to the following:

• Boys and Girls Club Healing Centered Youth Development Programming:$80,000 for a structured 8-week Social and Emotional Learning program that reduces mental health stigma, increases awareness and warning signs and develops peer-to-peer support strategies. .
• Dreamplex Therapeutic School:$30,000 to expand services within the Dreamplex Therapeutic School which is designed to meet the specialized instructional and therapeutic needs of children with disabilities.
• Community Health Centers, Inc.: $100,000 to expand the Behavioral/Mental Health Care Team at the CHC’s Four Corners Center. This expansion will include a new behavioral health nurse practitioner, licensed clinical social worker, case manager and medical assistant.
• Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation:  $90,000 allowing the nonprofit to enhance services and improve client communication to keep up with the continued growth in the South Lake community. GCCF is a 100% volunteer organization and as the community has grown they will use technology and enhanced communications to continue servicing the community as a volunteer driven organization.

• IMPOWER Inc.: $37,793 for a program to expand access to outpatient behavioral health services for underserved children, adolescents and adults residing in South Lake County. Services will be provided through a telehealth platform.
• Sleep in Heavenly Peace: $10,000 for more than 40 fully furnished twin beds that will be provided to bedless children in the South Lake community.

“We are eager to witness each initiative come to fruition in South Lake County,” said Susan McLean, Grant Committee Chair of the Live Well Foundation of South Lake. “These organizations have introduced sustainable and innovative solutions aimed at enhancing mental health and accessible services for children in our community. The impact of these initiatives on families will be profound and long-lasting. I feel blessed to play a small part in empowering these groups towards the transformation of our community.”