The Kindred Institute of Inclusion and Equity was established to allow Kindred to invest in a broad array of grassroots, community efforts that can affect real change, including causes related to healthcare disparities, gaps in the education system, and social services in the cities where our team members live and work. We know there are organizations in our communities that are in need of support, and we want to empower our team members to help us direct these funds to where they will help the most.
Recent Grant Recipients from Kentucky
AMPED – Louisville, Kentucky
Mission: AMPED is a not-for-profit based in Louisville that uses music and technology as a catalyst to empower youth and their families to work as a team, learn how to express themselves effectively, and develop into healthy, productive members of the community.
Nominator: Lucas Jean-Marie, Manager of Corporate Development, Kindred Support Center
Amount: $2,000
Reaction: “We appreciate the support of community partners like Kindred Healthcare,” said Emory Williamson, Development and Marketing Manager at AMPED. “We are committed to providing excellent resources for youth and ensuring equitable change within our community. This funding speaks volumes of Kindred Healthcare and will help as we continue to connect with youth through mentorship and with music and technology instruction.”
B.E. Tolliver’s Books for Book Nerds – Kentucky
Mission: B.E. Tolliver’s Books for Book Nerds provides Kentucky students with money for textbooks, ensuring they have access to educational materials they need to obtain their degrees.
Nominator: Stephanie Cassady, Programmer Analyst Consultant, Kindred Support Center
Amount: $1,000
Reaction: “We are honored and thrilled for the Kindred Institute’s support of B. E. Tolliver’s Books for Book Nerds! Programs like the Kindred Institute make a world of difference to organizations across the country that are putting in the work to uplift their communities,” said Sarah Lockhart, President, B.E. Tolliver’s Books for Book Nerds.
Other Grant Recipients
Catherine McAuley Center – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Mission: Catherine McAuley Center is a not-for-profit based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that provides support and services to refugees, immigrants, and women experiencing homelessness or other crises.
Nominator: Robin Honomichl, PT, MPT, Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit Program Director, Mercy Medical Center-Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Amount: $3,000
Reaction: “We thank the Kindred Institute’s support of the Catherine McAuley Center and appreciate their mission of aiding organizations working to better the many communities in which Kindred operates,” said Peggy Rubero, Director of Community Partnerships & Grants at the Catherine McAuley Center. “This grant will help us continue to pursue our mission of offering hope and opportunity through educational and supportive services that promote stability, skill-building and connection among adult learners, refugees and immigrants, and women experiencing crisis.”
Robin Honomichl, PT, MPT, Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit Program Director, Mercy Medical Center-Cedar Rapids, presents a Kindred Institute of Inclusion & Equity check to Kelsey Steines, Director of Development & Communications, Catherine McAuley Center, and Sean Donaldson, Resource Development Manager, Catherine McAuley Center.
A Steady Hand – Dallas, Texas
Mission: A Steady Hand is a not-for-profit based in Dallas that is committed to restoring hope in the lives of young people and helping them succeed, especially when they feel as if they lack the confidence, skill or support to do so.
Nominator: Kine Brembry, MA CCC/SLP, Speech Language Pathologist at Texas Rehabilitation Hospital of Arlington
Amount: $5,000
Reaction: “We are so appreciative that A Steady Hand is able to receive these much needed funds from Kindred Institute of Inclusion and Equity,” said Donald Parish, CEO and President of A Steady Hand. “Our ability to do the real work on one-on-one mentoring, and exposing our young people to career paths and educational opportunities, takes a commitment from great forward-thinking entities such as Kindred. I look forward many years of collaboration.”
Donald Parish of A Steady Hand receives a Kindred Institute of Inclusion and Equity grant from Theresa Huffman, CEO of Texas Rehabilitation Hospital Arlington.
The Lord is My Help – Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Mission: The Lord is My Help is a not-for-profit based in Ocean Springs, Mississippi that provides food assistance to families in need in the area. Their services include hot meals served daily, a food pantry and grocery assistance for families in need, and meal deliveries to the ill, home-bound, and veterans in the community.
Nominator: Wendie Hawkins, DPT, Program Director at the Singing River Comprehensive Rehab ARU.
Amount: $2,000
Reaction: “The support from the Kindred Institute is much appreciated and we think it’s wonderful that they are making similar contributions to worthy organizations across the country,” said Susannah Snyder, Board President for The Lord is My Help. “This funding will aid in the volume of community members served and will allow us to expand our reach to more children and families in need of basic necessities.”
Heroes Camp, Inc. – Mishawaka, Indiana
Mission: Heroes Camp, Inc, a not-for-profit based in Mishawaka, Indiana that provides educational and life-skill programs to help young males develop to their full potential as productive adults.
Nominator: David Kowalski, Market CEO at Kindred Hospitals La Mirada-Triad in California, who worked at Heroes Camp while growing up in northern Indiana.
Amount: $5,000
Reaction: “We are grateful for the kindness shown by Kindred Institute’s partnering with Heroes Camp to give a platform for fatherless youth to excel.” said Pat Magley, founder of Heroes Camp. “This grant will help alleviate the pressures that the single parent/single income families are faced with daily including basic necessities of food and clothing.”
David Kowalski, Market CEO for Kindred Hospital La Mirada-Triad in California, presents a Kindred Institute of Inclusion and Equity grant to Pat and BJ Magley, founders of The Heroes Camp in Mishawaka, Indiana.
Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue (GPSAR) – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mission: Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue (GPSAR) is a volunteer organization dedicated to finding lost loved ones.
Nominator: Boris Gankin, Pharmacist, Kindred Hospital Philadelphia – Havertown
Amount: $1,000
Reaction: “We are grateful for the Kindred Institute’s support of Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue and appreciate the company’s commitment to help organizations across the country doing the kind of work that gives hope and opportunity to those who need it most,” said Jessica Colletti, Fundraising Coordinator, GPSAR.
Overcoming Church – Indianapolis, Indiana
Mission: Overcoming Church provides a number of community services in the Indianapolis area through its array of ministries, including its “Bread of Life” food pantry that operates three days each week.
Nominator: Nakia Tremble, MHA, RCP – CEO of Kindred Hospital Indianapolis North
Amount: $2,000
Reaction: “We certainly appreciate the Kindred Institute’s support of Overcoming Church to aid us in our efforts to make an impact in our community,” said Loretta Farr, Executive Pastor of Overcoming Church. “This grant will help us better care for individuals and families who are in need of food, services and programming to enhance their overall well-being.”
Nakia Tremble, CEO of Kindred Hospital Indianapolis North, presents a Kindred Institute of Inclusion and Equity check to Loretta Farr, Executive Pastor of Overcoming Church. The $2,000 grant will support the church’s “Bread of Life” food pantry.
The Help Out Center – Fort Worth, Texas
Mission: The Help Out Center provides basic needs and resources – such as a food pantry, relief services, continuing education and after-school care – to help lift up the disadvantaged in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and give them the advantages they need to fulfill their purpose.
Nominator: Bailey Bartholomew, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Kindred Hospital Rehabilitation Services
Amount: $7,500
Reaction: “On behalf of the Help Out Center staff, we will celebrate this exciting moment with Kindred to secure and distribute 75,000 meals over the next month,” said Abby Gallardo, Outreach Director at The Help Out Center.
Valley Haven School – Valley, Alabama
Mission: Valley Haven School provides education, training, special instruction, and other services to individuals who are intellectually disabled and/or developmentally delayed.
Nominator: Amy Hayes, PT, DPT, MBA, Clinical Coordinator, EAMC Lanier Acute Rehab Unit
Amount: $1,000
Reaction: “It is because of support received by great people and organizations like the Kindred Institute of Inclusion and Equity that Valley Haven has been able to operate for more than 60 years,” said Craig Brown, Director of Valley Haven School.
Craig Brown, Director of Valley Haven School in Valley, AL, accepts a Kindred Institute of Inclusion and Equity check from Amy Hayes, Clinical Coordinator, EAMC Lanier Acute Rehab Unit, who nominated Valley Haven School for the grant.
The Vineyard Transitional Center – Green Cove Springs, Florida
Mission: The Vineyard Transitional Center provides shelter, food, supplies and re-entry programs to the homeless of Clay County, Florida.
Nominator: Antesia Kelly, Unit Secretary at the Kindred Hospital North Florida ARU
Amount: $2,500
Reaction: “On behalf of The Vineyard Transitional Center, we would like to say thank you, and we feel honored to be awarded this grant from the Kindred Institute of Inclusion and Equity,” said John Sanders, Founder of The Vineyard Transitional Center. “This gracious act will have an everlasting effect in our community and Clay County at-large. Organizations that get involved in their local communities have a tremendous impact on lives for generations to come. Kindred embodies the very tenets of our organization and their efforts supporting grassroots change are undeniably community-driven and people-focused.”
Pictured at a Kindred Institute of Inclusion and Equity check presentation are (left to right): The Vineyard Transitional Center’s Rebecca Vandewater (CFO), Pastor John Sanders (Founder), Joseph Smith (Executive Secretary) and Pastor David Jackson (Pastor). At the center is Antesia Kelly, Unit Secretary at Kindred Hospital North Florida ARU, who nominated The Vineyard for the grant.
Carter Girls – Houston, Texas
Mission: Carter Girls educates, empowers and encourages girls through STEM and Fine Arts programs that focus on closing the opportunity gaps that exist for girls in these areas of interests, especially those from homes with economic limitations.
Nominator: James Poullard, SVP for Supplier Services and Health Equity & Experience
Amount: $5,000
Reaction: “We are overjoyed and appreciative for the Kindred Institute’s support of Carter Girls. Carter Girls is a small, but growing organization with big goals to address the inequities and opportunity gaps that exist for girls in the Fine Arts and STEM fields,” said Ashleigh Carter, Founder and President of Carter Girls. “We are excited to receive support from an organization like Kindred. This support will help us meet our goals and positively impact the lives of girls in the greater Houston area.”
James Poullard, SVP for Supplier Services and Health Equity & Experience, presents a Kindred Institute of Inclusion and Equity check to Ashleigh Carter, founder of Carter Girls.
Oath to Country Foundation – Los Angeles, California
Mission: Oath to Country Foundation (OTCF) seeks to foster a community of connectivity and collaboration with partnerships and volunteers in Southern California to educate and advocate for veterans’ and first responders’ mental health needs, and to provide resources to better serve those that have become homeless or low-income. OTCF’s support ranges from food to basic care supplies to clothing to mental health resources.
Nominator: Justin Gracieux, Clinical Liaison, Kindred Hospital Brea SAU (also founder of OTCF)
Amount: $2,500
Reaction: “We are grateful for the Kindred Institute’s support of OTCF and appreciate the company’s commitment to help organizations across the country doing the kind of work that gives hope and opportunity where it’s not always readily available,” said Justin Gracieux, Founder of Oath to Country Foundation. “This funding will extend our outreach on behalf of veterans and first responders in need.”
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