FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., -- (April 2, 2019) – Faced with ballooning obesity among Broward County adults, the Community Foundation of Broward today announced the award of three grants totaling $180,194 to local programs that address chronic health and weight-related conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension.

About 66 percent of Broward adults are considered overweight and 24 percent are considered obese. Community Foundation BFit grants support programs that help prevent and reverse chronic weight-related illnesses.

The three new grants were awarded from a total of 15 applications.  
The successful applicants include:

• YMCA of South Florida, based in Fort Lauderdale, which received $90,000 per year for two years for the program “Health Navigation by Community Health Workers,” who are peer residents that provide individualized support, mentoring, healthy food and connections to resources.   YMCA will work collaboratively with the American Heart Association to improve health outcomes of 200 residents in the Sistrunk area and expand to Lauderdale Lakes and Lauderhill.
• University of Miami in partnership with Hispanic Unity, for a program called “İActuaYa!” or “Act Now.”  With a grant of $65,000, the program will target 50 Hispanic women in Hollywood, West Park and surrounding areas who are 50 years and older, educating them on nutrition and engaging them in exercise programs.
• Lighthouse of Broward, Fort Lauderdale, received $25,194 for a program called “A Vision of Health.”  The existing program for seniors will expand to reach 20 adults ages 18 to 64 who are visually impaired and living with diabetes.  It will focus on diabetes management, cooking classes, wellness education and exercise classes.

Since 2016, BFit grants totaling $700,000 have helped more than 1,700 Broward residents make healthy choices and increase their activity levels.  2019 grants are aimed at adding more programs to improve the health of more Broward residents.

“For the sake of our community, we must take bold action on this issue,” said Linda Carter, Community Foundation president and CEO.  “Diseases related to chronic obesity are the second leading cause of death, behind cigarette smoking.”

For more information about the BFit grants, please contact Foundation Grants Manager Angelica Rosas at arosas@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.