The John Rex Endowment announces the approval of $824,106 in funding for five grants to organizations that support the physical, mental and emotional well-being of children. Recipients include Natural Learning Initiative of the College of Design at NC State University, Salvation Army of Wake County, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine Program on Integrative Medicine, Advocates for Health in Action and PLM Families Together.

The Natural Learning Initiative (NLI) of the College of Design at NC State University will receive $359,205 for a project to promote healthy foods and active living through quality outdoor learning environments at child care centers. The NLI team will work with Wake County SmartStart to link the Farm to Child Care project to centers, provide trainings for teachers and cooks, help centers integrate gardening activities with curricular opportunities, and engage parents to help change perceptions of local and fresh food, menu planning, and cooking skills.

Salvation Army of Wake County will receive $268,908 for sustainability planning for Project CATCH (Community Action Targeting Children who are Homeless), a collaborative case management model that works with 11 homeless shelters and providers to identify and address the specific educational, socio-emotional and developmental needs of children and families who are experiencing homelessness.  

The Program on Integrative Medicine in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine has been awarded $109,998 to evaluate the feasibility of implementing two evidence-based mindfulness programs, in partnership with Southeast Raleigh Assembly, to reduce violence, improve academic performance and promote positive mental health for youth and caregivers in Southeast Raleigh.

Capacity building grants were awarded to Advocates for Health in Action and PLM Families Together for projects focused on effectiveness and sustainability. Advocates for Health in Action will receive $45,900, and PLM Families Together will receive $40,095.