History. We learn from it.
We determine what we value based on it.
And, history tends to repeat itself.
The headlines and stories in the Wayne County Health News, the newsletters from the early 1970s that communicated the activities of the Northeast Community Health Council and the establishment of the Wayne Community Health Plan, directly relate to the ongoing work of Metro Health Foundation.
MHF believes that programs originating in the community have the best chance of success in addressing community needs. MHF board members give of their time based on this philosophy, as did those first involved:
“The concept of having meaningful community participation and control in this project drew my interest from the onset.”
—Sister Patricia Oliss, NCHC chair, December, 1973.
The Optometric Institute and Clinic of Detroit, an agency funded by MHF over the past three years, was involved in the health education conferences sponsored by the Northeast Community Health Council in 1975.
MHF continues to work with Hamtramck United Social Services (HUSS), and this coalition continues to address the coordination of health and human service needs in this area. Doris Fell, one of the founding MHF board members, chaired this group in 1973. Theresa Sondys, MHF’s senior program officer, serves as chair in 2011.
The Wayne County Health Department, supported by resources and funding coordinated by MHF, submitted an application for federal funding to develop a community health center (Federally Qualified Health Center) for Hamtramck in December 2010. HUSS is involved in planning for this health center. If funded, the majority of the health center board members must be of the community and receive their health care at the center.
Newsletter articles emphasized the “Consumer’s Role in Assuring Quality Health Care” and discusses consumers lobbying in Lansing seeking solutions to unmet health care needs. MHF is actively involved in organizing the Michigan Consumers for Healthcare Advancement coalition with the goal of ensuring a consumer voice in health care policy development during implementation of health care reform.
The sale of the assets of the HMO and creation of the foundation resulted in support being provided for the community-based health programs originally identified as needed by the Black-Polish Conference and the Northeast Community Health Council.
What has been accomplished in 25 years?
- MHF began with assets of just under $5.4 million.
- In 25 years, over 1,000 grant requests to “improve the health of the community” have been reviewed.
- 613 grants to agencies have been made resulting in over $7.6 million in support of community-based programs addressing primary health care needs in southeastern Michigan.
- After covering grants and staff costs, surviving several economic downturns, including the financial crisis of 2008, Foundation assets have grown to over $6.7 million.
In addition, the work of MHF staff has had a significant impact on the community. MHF staff assist agencies seeking funding from many sources, including other local and national foundations, as well as local, state and federal programs.
Staff works on collaborative efforts with other foundations. Glenn Kossick worked to establish the Michigan AIDS Fund, a statewide collaborative grantmaking effort to provide effective use of philanthropic resources to address the AIDS crisis.
Staff advocates for primary physical health care programs by serving on various advisory councils, the public policy committee of the Council of Michigan Foundations, participating with and supporting the work of grassroots organizations encouraging citizen engagement, and facilitating conversations between grantmakers and grantseekers.
Agency collaboration and capacity building is encouraged by staff working directly with agencies in their strategic and operational planning efforts.
