Recent recipients of SHIP funds

In 2023, two area organizations received SHIP community partnership awards to improve the health of renters. Thank you to HOME Line for their partnership and for administering the funding for these grants.   

Southgate Apartments, Bloomington, Minn. 
Southgate Apartments is an affordable housing community offering more than 240 apartment units. The Healthy Way Project will increase residents’ access to physical activity opportunities and healthy foods. Southgate Apartments staff and tenant leaders will partner with local yoga and Zumba instructors to offer regular onsite classes that are designed for participants of all ages and abilities.

Additionally, grant funds will support the expansion of a mobile food pantry into a permanent onsite food shelf for residents, to better meet demand. Southgate’s Property Manager will become certified by a hunger relief agency in the areas of food safety, preparation, and storage.

Woodlawn Terrace Cooperative, Richfield, Minn. 
Woodlawn Terrace Cooperative is a resident-owned manufactured home community in Richfield. Residents wanted to share fresh food that is grown without chemicals with one another. Grocery stores are not close by, and some residents don’t have cars, making it difficult for residents to carry groceries home when walking or taking the bus.

Grant funds were used to create a community garden of raised beds cultivated by the residents at Woodlawn Terrace. The garden will increase residents’ access to fresh vegetables and physical activity and help create a sense of social connectedness. 

In 2023, two area organizations received SHIP community partnership awards to support healthy eating, active living, commercial tobacco-free living and well-being:

Richfield Farmers Market, Richfield, Minn. 
The Richfield Farmers Market will expand its efforts to be a more inclusive and sustainable organization. To become more inclusive, the farmers market will expand language access by adding Somali-translated materials. The market will also offer stipends to cultural liaisons and connectors who will engage with attendees and enhance the market experience.

To become more sustainable, the farmers market will add more bike racks onsite to promote active living; currently there are only two racks. The market will also pilot compostable bags and packaging with a few vendors, to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags and non-recyclable packaging. After being used at the market, the compostable bags can be filled with food waste and be disposed of through Richfield’s organics recycling program.

Bloomington Public Schools, Bloomington, Minn.

• After-school programming
  Bloomington Public Schools will enhance access to their after-school programming for middle school students to support student health and well-being. The school district will expand its sports offerings and create a more efficient registration and attendance system. Grant funds will be used to purchase supplies for multiple sites for students to play basketball, soccer, volleyball, and flag football. Funds will also be used to train staff in a new attendance system and support communication with families.
• Quality programming for students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder 
  The school is also partnering with its ADHD Learning Lab to support students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and other learning challenges and increase their sense of belonging.
   
• Streamlined Early Childhood Screening 
  Screening is a quick way to identify possible health or developmental concerns in young children. Re-screening (a return visit) delays intervention and any additional services that may be needed. The school district is purchasing new vision and auditory screening tools and new screening curriculum to reduce the number of re-screens needed, refer families to resources sooner, and to help remove any language barriers that may exist in the process.