Health Foundation of Greater Massillon

Programs

Community Giving High School Social Action Program

In 2001, the Health Foundation of Greater Massillon created the program with the following goals:

► Educate students in the processes of community work through volunteering

► Development working relationships between the Foundation and the schools

► Create a sense of community among the cities and townships that surround Massillon

► Address distinct, real health related issues through the school project

► Link the resources of the high schools to local service providers in ways that are mutually beneficial

A packet of information regarding the program is distributed to each participating high school in the fall. Once the students and their advisor determine what health related program/project they want to initiate, the Foundation submits a check to each of the high schools for $2,000 in January to defray the cost of developing and carrying out their project.

In the spring, each high school’s project is judged by two students from each participating school to evaluate and rate each other’s project. A brunch is held in the spring to honor these students and schools as well as award three additional checks and plaques to the high school who has the Best Overall Project, the Most Creative Project, and which one was the Most Collaborative.

April 23, 2008
Community Giving High School Social Action Program Awards Dinner

Seven local area high schools recently participated in the Community Giving High School Social Action Program and were honored at the Awards Dinner April 23^rd at the AA Executive Event Center in Perry Heights. The program is under the Health Foundation of Greater Massillon and was designed to educate our students in the process of community volunteer work by their designing and executing a project that will create a sense of these students giving back to their community by addressing a distinct, real health related issue. The students from each high school get together to hear a presentation from each of the school’s projects and they vote to determine a winner in each of three categories: Most Creative Project; Most Efficient Project and Best Overall Project. Each of these three schools is given a check in the amount of $1,000. The three winners this school year were:

Best Efficient – Perry High School

Most Creative – Jackson High School video presentation

Best Overall – Massillon Washington High School video presentation

The above presentations are large files, so be patient while they load.

Neighborhood Partnership Grant Program

The Health Foundation of Greater Massillon is duplicating in Western Stark County the Neighborhood Partnership Grant Program that started in Canton more than a decade ago by the Stark Community Foundation. Judith Miller is assuming the role of Grant Program Coordinator and utilizing the valuable skills and resources of Marilyn Thomas-Jones from the Stark Community Foundation.

Grant awards of $250-$2,500 will assist neighborhood associations in improving their neighborhoods. A curriculum that focuses on leadership skills, networking, advocacy, and teamwork provides participants with the assistance that they need to improve their neighborhoods. The program's slogan is " You don't have to move to live in a better neighborhood". Call the foundation for details about this new program.