Trust invests in dental care
The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust announced grants of nearly $1.3 million this month to improve the health and quality of life of financially disadvantaged residents in Forsyth County.
The Trust began to make strategic investments in dental health – a funding focus for its Forsyth County grant making – by making a two-year, $113,300 commitment to the North Carolina Dental Health Fund to operate a free dental clinic for homeless and financially needy residents in the area.
McNeil-Miller
“The Trust’s commitment to free and low-cost dental health options in our community is in line with Mrs. Reynolds’ vision to ensure everyone has access to quality health care regardless of financial resources,” said Karen McNeil-Miller, president of the Trust. “This clinic is just one way to begin addressing the shortage of affordable dental care. Moving forward, we will be working with the community to assess how to increase low-cost dental care options and provide comprehensive care to those who need it most.”
The Trust also made a small investment in a free dental clinic for low-income older adults in Kernersville and will be participating in a Forsyth County community planning process around dental health care needs for financially disadvantaged individuals long-term to help guide future funding.
In addition to investing in dental health, the Trust granted $192,500 to The B.E.L.L. Foundation, Inc. to expand a summer school program for low-income students in middle school and $143,000 to Winston-Salem State University to expand the STARS (Students Taking Action and Reaching Success) Program, a life skills and mentoring elective, to two additional low-income middle schools.
The Trust is also excited to continue its Great Expectations work — a long-term initiative to help ensure all children in Forsyth County are ready for success in life and school.
