Nonprofits partner on health solutions in west Charlotte

JON STRAYHORN

Wisdom and Cherie Jzar of Deep Roots CPS Farm hand out produce at First Baptist Church West as part of the Westside Wellness Collab. The collaboration received a $2.4 million donation from CVS Health Foundation.

A nonprofit collaboration is widening access to health resources in Historic West End.

The CVS Health Foundation donated $2.24 million to the Westside Wellness Collab as part of its Health Zone initiative. The local program led by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Charlotte expands access to health care, healthy food and support for people dealing with chronic conditions. 

Health Zones bring together health care providers and community organizations to make it easier for people to connect with essential services including primary care and healthy food options. The goal is to address reallife challenges that affect health and help people get the care and resources they need.

“Families deserve access to quality care, healthy food and the support networks that make longterm wellness possible,” Jenny McColloch, president of the CVS Health Foundation said in a statement. “Our support helps strengthen the Historic West End’s existing network of trusted organizations and gives residents connected care that is accessible, communitycentered and designed around their day-to-day needs.”

The donation will provide program funding for collaborators Care Ring, Charlotte Community Services Association and Deep Roots Farm Foundation, which operates a family-owned farm in west Charlotte. The partners will provide access to social service and health programming from a centralized hub at First Baptist Church West, 1801 Oaklawn Ave.

The collaboration also includes mobile health clinics with access to screenings, preventive care and followup support in addition to fresh food distribution and nutrition education, workshops and training for longterm food solutions. There are also coordination programs to navigate medical, behavioral and social needs.

Historic West End, one of six Corridors of Opportunity in Charlotte, has historically faced significant health and social challenges: 

• Several low-income neighborhoods have limited food autonomy as designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture where residents live more than a half mile from a fullservice grocery store. 

• Older adults are a fastgrowing demographic in the region. According to the North Carolina Office of State Budget & Management, Mecklenburg County’s 65 and older population is projected to nearly double – from 138,129 in 2021 to 262,579 in 2041. 

• Chronic conditions are widespread, as it is nationally, with nearly half of U.S. adults living with hypertension, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

“Improving access to quality health care for our residents is one of Mecklenburg County’s top priorities, and partnerships like this play a critical role in advancing that mission, because we cannot be successful without the contributions of our corporate and private sector partners,” Mecklenburg County Manager Mike Bryant said. “When trusted organizations, like the CVS Health Foundation and LISC Charlotte come together with our local nonprofits, we’re not just addressing challenges; we’re opening doors to opportunity, stability and long-term wellness.” 
 

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