Funding partners support health and wellbeing

Essentia Health continues championing infant and early childhood mental health

Essentia Health recently renewed its commitment to partner with the Northland Foundation to improve the health and quality of life in the region.

Essentia will contribute $25,000 for the Thrive Initiative for the next year. This funding enables the Duluth-Proctor-Hermantown Thrive action team to continue its efforts to increase knowledge, coordination among service providers, and access to education, prevention, and intervention to meet the mental health needs of families with young children.

“Thrive began as a pilot project in 2007 and, since then, has only gained strength and increased its impact in our region,” stated Tony Sertich, President of the Northland Foundation.

“We are pleased that Essentia Health is dedicated to supporting the important work being accomplished on behalf of infants, toddlers, and families in northeastern Minnesota,” Sertich concluded.

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield awards $50,000 "Connect for Health" Grant

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation awarded a $50,000 "Connect for Health" grant to the Northland Foundation. This is the third Connect for Health grant that Northland has received in support of AGE to age: bringing generations together. The grant will help AGE to age sites in the region to improve health outcomes of older adults and young people by fostering community connectedness.

“Maintaining friendships and being engaged in your community are. we know, key contributors to overall well-being,” stated Lynn Haglin, the Northland Foundation Vice President/KIDS PLUS Director, “and the resources from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation will help rural residents of all ages to stay active, connected, and healthy.”