History
It all began in 1992. We saw a need in our community. And we felt compelled to stand up and do something about it. We partnered with like-minded supporters throughout Western New York. We made a difference in the lives of those we helped. Our work is not done. Perhaps it’s just getting started. Here is a brief look back at our story.
The Independent Health Foundation celebrates 30 years of impact
The Independent Health Foundation has grown to meet the changing needs of the Western New York community over the last 30 years. When the Foundation was created in 1992, it reached 20,000 people through their First Night Buffalo event. Now, the Foundation coordinates six signature programs, hundreds of events, and reaches more than 200,000 individuals each year. Over the past three decades, the Foundation has partnered with countless community centers, schools, parks, businesses and organizations to provide free or low cost events, education and resources to areas in need. The Foundation strives to provide not only a safe and healthy environment for participants, but to also build lasting and impactful relationships with the communities they serve.
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Independent Health, a community health plan, creates the Independent Health Foundation
The Foundation was officially launched on September 30, 1992 with only two employees.
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The Foundation takes over the reigns of First Night Buffalo
A safe, healthy, and alcohol-free way for families to ring in the New Year. This annual tradition offers family-friendly activities for all ages, including magicians, jugglers, face painting, wild animals, costumed characters, and more.”
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HealthCheck Series created
Community health and education outreach programs discussing various topics/disease states, such as women’s health, heart health, diabetes, asthma, nutrition, stress management and more.”
“Wellness on Wheels launched
Provides mobile health care services, screenings & health education throughout the community. A mix of primary care, health promotion/wellness & occupational medicine is offered.”
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Health Care Forums
Community forum to create a dialogue among leaders in WNY for a better understanding of the rapidly-changing health care environment.”
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Work & Learn Lunch Seminars
Offered to our Independent Health employer groups as educational workshops for their employees during their lunch breaks. Topics have included headache management, allergy/asthma awareness, women’s health issues, diabetes and smoking cessation.”
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Foundation takes the lead with Kids Run
Previously coordinated by Independent Health’s Wellness Team, Kids Run encourages families to exercise and stay active together through a 1.8 mile walk/run perfect for all ages. Kids Run strives to reach more than 5,500 families annually, who often lack the opportunity to participate in free physical activities.
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Healthy Options created
The Healthy Options program educates through healthy cooking classes and works with local restaurants, food trucks and food festivals to provide community members with easier access to healthy food choices.
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First Night focuses efforts at one site
First Night moves from 13 sites across Buffalo down to 1 central location, indoors at The Buffalo Convention Center. ”
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Good for the Neighborhood initiated
Throughout the year, Good for the Neighborhood brings free health screenings, farmer’s markets, nutrition classes, fitness programs and more to neighborhoods with limited access. Together, we help link families to resources for healthier living right in their neighborhoods. ”
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Fitness for Kids Challenge launches full scale
The Fitness for Kids Challenge is a free community-wide initiative offered to elementary-aged children in schools throughout Western New York. The Fitness for Kids Challenge promotes healthy habits such as good nutrition and physical activity by following the 9-5-2-1-0+YOU goals. Each year, the top participating schools and classrooms win grants to purchase fitness equipment or enhance health and wellness programming for their school.
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Launched Foundation social media accounts
Facebook ”
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Soccer for Success program kicks off
An after-school program created by the U.S. Soccer Foundation offered free to participants, that is proven to help kids in underserved communities establish healthy habits and develop critical life skills through trained coach-mentors and family engagement.
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Whetting appetites at the 1st annual Taps & Apps
A great opportunity for the community to come together and support a positive cause while encouraging guests to sample the great flavors of tasty, award-winning Healthy Options dishes from local restaurants. This fun-filled event featured an evening of entertainment, cocktails, a silent auction, and giveaways. ”
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Healthy Options cooking classes heat up
Healthy Options launches their series of live cooking demonstrations at a number of local restaurants - encouraging participants to try fun and healthy recipes.
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“Behavioral Health Integration project
This pilot program worked to embed licensed mental health counselors with nine local primary care practices in an effort to help patients better address and navigate their behavioral health needs. Practices implemented comprehensive patient screenings, procedures for hand-offs to behavioral health professionals, and better diagnosis and coding processes. This allowed thousands of patients increased access to mental health services.”
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Fitness for Kids Challenge & Play 60 Challenge
Fitness for Kids partners with the Buffalo Bills and the NFL’s Play 60 Challenge. This program encourages children (kindergarten through 5th grade) to strive for 60 minutes of physical activity each day and make healthy choices.”
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Healthy Options partners with Larkin Square for Food Truck Tuesdays
Dozens of food trucks from WNY and beyond come together to celebrate a night of food, live music and fun. In a partnership with the Independent Health Foundation, every truck now offers at least one Healthy Option menu item.”
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Baby & Me Tobacco Free program launched
This evidence-based program encouraged pregnant and smoking women to quit smoking through motivational interviewing and coaching. Moms received vouchers for free diapers for up to 6 months post-partum if they were able to quit smoking and stay smoke-free. ”
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Healthy Options Talking Vending Machine
Healthy Options creates a talking vending machine at a local university to encourage good nutrition and healthy lifestyle behaviors. ”
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Kale Yeah! Healthy Eating Competition
Kale Yeah!, the world’s healthiest eating championship, was a fun way to encourage everyone to digest the importance of eating healthy and choosing healthy options. Participants consumed as much kale as possible in eight minutes.”
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Gears & Grub begins
The bike-friendly event series gets people out on the road and then into local restaurants to try Healthy Options menu items.
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Foundation programs go virtual
-Fitness for Kids Challenge launches video series
-Soccer for Success shifted to virtual practices
-Kids Run at Home
-First Night at Home
-Healthy Options begins offering home meal delivery kits”
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Good for the Neighborhood hosts drive-thru events
12,000 wellness bags distributed throughout the community.
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Kids Run at School hits the starting line
The program launches in 17 schools across 5 counties with over 4,386 students participating!”
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Soccer for Success creates a soccer field in Lackawanna
Through the Soccer for Success program, U.S. Soccer Foundation, and Dicks Sporting Goods partnered to create the program’s first permanent youth soccer mini-pitch in the City of Lackawanna, creating a safe and inclusive space to play.”
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Growing Up Strong program launches
The program starts young children off on the right path to a healthy future by supporting families and pediatricians with the developmental needs of children from birth to age five.”
