Friends of MHMRA
2008 Grant Award Recipients
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A new and exciting phase of Friends of MHMRA has kicked off with the announcement of the first
grant award recipients.
The annual Mardi Gras Fundraiser continues to gain momentum and community support. “This will go
a long way towards helping to spell out the inner workings of the organization,” said Board member
Jeanne Mayo. We had an overwhelming response to the grant award request, and the decision was
indeed a difficult one. Winners were selected based upon creativity, the impact upon consumer
needs, and the education of families, and the community.
Programs awarded by the 501(c)3, Friends of MHMRA of Harris County are:
- To purchase exercise and fitness equipment that will improve the consumers’ physical health,
and reduce the high incidence of obesity that results in chronic illnesses.
- To purchase employment training material and audiovisual equipment to aid the consumers by
improving their interviewing and job seeking skills, and increasing their chances of
employment.
- To establish The Road to Independence, a partnership with businesses/organizations to create
employment opportunities for consumers resulting in educated employers and a job fair for
consumers.
- To produce a comprehensive detailed guide that will help those consumers and families who
do not have computer access to navigate through and access the MHMRA systems.
- To design a brochure that highlights the MHMRA/juvenile probation services that will increase
the engagement of parents and impact the recidivism rate of first time offenders.
- To assess, develop, and implement a wellness component into the daily schedule of ADAPT/MR
adult consumers which will target nutrition, physical activity, and enhance social and
emotional functioning.
- Implement a training program to enable the Consumer Advocate Council to assist in resolving
patient complaints and concern.
This is the first grant award of many to come from “Friends of MHMRA of Harris County due to the
success of the annual fund raising events. “We were not able to approve all of the applications that
were submitted; however, we were absolutely thrilled that we had the tremendous response that we
did. We ask those participants to be watching for the next round and to please re-submit their
proposals for the next cycle” said Marshenell Sells, V.P. Resource Development.
Awardee, Claire Shynett says of the grant...”We were just elated to learn that we made the selection.
We know that this will serve the community that is most vulnerable and will help to facilitate better
understanding of our agency through the Road to Independence project…”