Kaiser Permanente Awards $2.75 Million in Community Health Grants by Carol Soudah - City News Group, Inc.

Community Calendar

MAY
S M T W T F S
26 27 28 29 30 01 02
03 04 05 06 07 08 09
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Kaiser Permanente Awards $2.75 Million in Community Health Grants

By Carol Soudah, Contributing Writer
April 22, 2026 at 08:33am. Views: 2681

Kaiser Permanente has awarded approximately $2.75 million in local and regional community health grants to 32 nonprofit organizations across Riverside County for 2025-2026, reinforcing its commitment to improving health equity and addressing the most critical needs of vulnerable populations throughout the region.

“Kaiser Permanente community health grants represent more than just financial support — they are an investment in the health, stability and future of our local communities,” said Sammy Totah, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente in the Riverside County Service Area. “Kaiser Permanente hospitals are themselves nonprofits, and we are proud to support other local nonprofits with grants to further work in areas of significant need for the health of our community.”

Kaiser Permanente grants were awarded in key priority areas, including access to high-quality health care and health equity, mental and behavioral health services, food and nutrition security, housing stability and education to support vulnerable populations. 

“Each of the organizations awarded is deeply embedded in the community and understands the unique challenges our residents face,” said Cecilia Arias, MPH, community health manager for the Riverside County Service Area at Kaiser Permanente. “We are pleased to provide grants that help expand their reach and deepen their impact across the region.”

The community health grant recipients include the following nonprofit organizations serving Riverside County, including programs that extend their reach into San Bernardino County as well:

  • Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine - Access to Care for the Coachella Valley
  • THINK Together - Workforce Readiness and Education Program in Hemet and Desert Hot Springs
  • Olive Crest - Foster Youth Career Readiness through Counseling and Life Skills Coaching
  • CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation - Palm Desert College Nursing Street Medicine Program
  • United States Veterans Initiative - Inland Empire Housing and Basic Needs Support
  • Rising Stars Business Academy - Moreno Valley YouthBuild-Youth Leadership Development
  • Lestonnac Free Clinic – Health Care Services to Uninsured and Underserved
  • Riverside Free Clinic - Access to Healthcare for Riverside's Underserved Communities
  • GRID Alternatives Inland Empire – Workforce Development for Sustainable Clean Energy Careers
  • Operation Safe House, Inc. - Operation SafeHouse Emergency Shelter for Runaway, Homeless, and At-Risk Youth
  • Walden Environment (dba: Walden Family Services) - Mental Healthcare of Foster Youth
  • Hope through Housing Foundation – Economic Security, Housing and Homelessness
  • Regional Access Project Foundation Inc. - Strengthening Community Networks Capacity Building Initiative
  • Divine Truth Unity Fellowship Church, Inc. (dba: Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance) - Youth Mental Health through Mentoring
  • Palm Springs Unified School District - Wellness Works: Empowering Our Team Program
  • Val Verde Unified School District - Strengthening School Communities through Leadership Wellness and Self-care
  • Reach Out West End - Core Support-Humanitarian Relief
  • Illumination Foundation - Medical Respite
  • Martha's Village and Kitchen – Medical Respite
  • County of Riverside - Maternal Health Matters Workshops
  • Riverside Community Health Foundation – Nurturing Our Roots by Providing Maternal Health Support
  • Feeding America Riverside-San Bernardino - Increasing Access to Healthy Food
  • Food In Need of Distribution (FIND) Food Bank - Healthy Food Cohort
  • Community Settlement Association - Food is Medicine with Healthy Groceries for Chronic Disease Prevention
  • Catholic Charities - Food is Medicine with Nutrition Security
  • Community Health Association Inland Southern Region - Expanding Capacity in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties
  • Inland Counties Legal Aid - Improving Community Health through Increased Legal Aid Access and Medical Provider Collaboration
  • Inland SoCal Housing Collective - Advancing Access through Policy, Partnerships & Innovation
  • Lift to Rise - Affordable Housing Development as Key Determinant of Regional Health in the Coachella Valley
  • Path of Life Ministries - Provide Enhanced Case Management for Unhoused families
  • Public Service Law Corporation (dba: Riverside Legal Aid) - RLA Homeless Prevention Program
  • Young Scholars for Academic Empowerment (dba: TruEvolution) - Mobile Street Medicine Program

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. The organization is recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: Elysia Fernandez

By Margie Miller, Publisher, Community Writer

April 30, 2026 at 12:04pm. Views: 1098

Elysia Fernandez and Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo holding Elysia's award for 2026 Woman of the Year for California's 58th Assebly District.

Photo Courtesy of: Riverside County Office of Education

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

April 30, 2026 at 12:04pm. Views: 864

Darian Noghani, Hillcrest High School, Alvord USD· Jasmine Verduzco, New Horizon High School, Banning USD· Christopher Valero, Beaumont Middle College High School, Beaumont USD· Larry Pozar Basilio, West Shores High School, Coachella Valley USD· Hannah Gbondo, Santiago High School, Corona-Norco USD· Rushil Ladhawala, Palm Desert High School, Desert Sands USD· Raef Johnson, Hemet High School, Hemet USD· Denise Muñoz, Jurupa Valley High School, Jurupa USD· Cassandra Caluag, Temescal Canyon High School, Lake Elsinore USD· Yaniah Gamboa, Moreno Valley High School, Moreno Valley USD· Christina Fayad, Murrieta Mesa High School, Murrieta Valley USD· Joel Ruiz, Desert Hot Springs High School, Palm Springs USD· Ariel Moreno, Palo Verde High School, Palo Verde USD· Daisy Casas Chavez, Perris High School, Perris Union HSD· Emanuel Garcia, Ramona High School, Riverside USD· Turner Daudert, San Jacinto Leadership Academy, San Jacinto USD· Lila Deinhammer, Temecula Valley High School, Temecula Valley USD· Bayann Jadallah, Citrus Hill High School, Val Verde USD

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

April 30, 2026 at 12:03pm. Views: 571

Ezekiel “Eze” Jahen, a Senior at Grand Terrace High School, stands ready to lead as a key contributor for the Titans during their matchup against Carter High School.

Photo Courtesy of: Photo courtesy of Moreno Valley Unified School District

By William Cortez, Community Writer

May 11, 2026 at 12:20pm. Views: 616

Students speak with professionals at career booths during a school career day event.

Photo Courtesy of: Sweet Louise

By MediLinePlus, Community Writer

May 11, 2026 at 12:19pm. Views: 219

Seasonal illnesses are common, but knowing how to manage symptoms and prevent spread can reduce their overall impact.

Photo Courtesy of: Stevepb

By Paige Mercer, Community Writer

May 11, 2026 at 12:20pm. Views: 107

Simple, nutritious meals prepared at home often support better health outcomes than highly processed alternatives.

Photo Courtesy of: Elysia Fernandez

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

May 6, 2026 at 01:50pm. Views: 826

Outstanding young artist Johnathan Torres displays one of his featured pieces alongside Jason Greeley and Grand Terrace Mayor, Bill Hussey during the Grand Terrace Art Show. Torres was recognized for showcasing multiple works in watercolor, acrylic, and pencil.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.kenneyloans.com/

By Lois Kenney, Mortgage Loan Officer , Community Writer

May 5, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 990

Lois Kenney Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS# 379809, has more than 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry as a trusted Loan Officer

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Paige Mercer, Community Writer

May 5, 2026 at 12:27pm. Views: 574

A well-stocked emergency kit with essential medical supplies can help you respond quickly and confidently in unexpected situations.

Photo Courtesy of: Dean Vargus

By Mike Hoover Vice President, Secretary. Inland Empire Civil War R, Community Writer

May 6, 2026 at 01:50pm. Views: 868

1st United States Sharpshooters, Company “F”, Union Army of the West.

From left to right, rear row, Dave Dewey, Mike Schulte, Ed Allen, Gabe Jimenez, Richard Maynard


Sitting, front row, left to rt: Corporal Paul Renner, 1st Sergeant Dean Vargas

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

May 6, 2026 at 01:50pm. Views: 829

Elliana Palomino, a standout Junior at Grand Terrace High School, continues to excel as a top student-athlete, balancing a 4.4 GPA with elite performance on the softball field.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group AI-generated image

By Carol Soudah, Contributing Writer

May 6, 2026 at 01:50pm. Views: 830

A healthcare professional transfers a patient while speaking with them in a clean, modern hospital room, illustrating attentive and compassionate medical care

--> -->