Kaiser Permanente Awards $2.75 Million in Community Health Grants by Carol Soudah - City News Group, Inc.

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Kaiser Permanente Awards $2.75 Million in Community Health Grants

By Carol Soudah, Contributing Writer
April 22, 2026 at 08:33am. Views: 3467

Kaiser Permanente has awarded approximately $2.75 million in local and regional community health grants to 32 nonprofit organizations across Riverside County for 2025-2026, reinforcing its commitment to improving health equity and addressing the most critical needs of vulnerable populations throughout the region.

“Kaiser Permanente community health grants represent more than just financial support — they are an investment in the health, stability and future of our local communities,” said Sammy Totah, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente in the Riverside County Service Area. “Kaiser Permanente hospitals are themselves nonprofits, and we are proud to support other local nonprofits with grants to further work in areas of significant need for the health of our community.”

Kaiser Permanente grants were awarded in key priority areas, including access to high-quality health care and health equity, mental and behavioral health services, food and nutrition security, housing stability and education to support vulnerable populations. 

“Each of the organizations awarded is deeply embedded in the community and understands the unique challenges our residents face,” said Cecilia Arias, MPH, community health manager for the Riverside County Service Area at Kaiser Permanente. “We are pleased to provide grants that help expand their reach and deepen their impact across the region.”

The community health grant recipients include the following nonprofit organizations serving Riverside County, including programs that extend their reach into San Bernardino County as well:

  • Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine - Access to Care for the Coachella Valley
  • THINK Together - Workforce Readiness and Education Program in Hemet and Desert Hot Springs
  • Olive Crest - Foster Youth Career Readiness through Counseling and Life Skills Coaching
  • CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation - Palm Desert College Nursing Street Medicine Program
  • United States Veterans Initiative - Inland Empire Housing and Basic Needs Support
  • Rising Stars Business Academy - Moreno Valley YouthBuild-Youth Leadership Development
  • Lestonnac Free Clinic – Health Care Services to Uninsured and Underserved
  • Riverside Free Clinic - Access to Healthcare for Riverside's Underserved Communities
  • GRID Alternatives Inland Empire – Workforce Development for Sustainable Clean Energy Careers
  • Operation Safe House, Inc. - Operation SafeHouse Emergency Shelter for Runaway, Homeless, and At-Risk Youth
  • Walden Environment (dba: Walden Family Services) - Mental Healthcare of Foster Youth
  • Hope through Housing Foundation – Economic Security, Housing and Homelessness
  • Regional Access Project Foundation Inc. - Strengthening Community Networks Capacity Building Initiative
  • Divine Truth Unity Fellowship Church, Inc. (dba: Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance) - Youth Mental Health through Mentoring
  • Palm Springs Unified School District - Wellness Works: Empowering Our Team Program
  • Val Verde Unified School District - Strengthening School Communities through Leadership Wellness and Self-care
  • Reach Out West End - Core Support-Humanitarian Relief
  • Illumination Foundation - Medical Respite
  • Martha's Village and Kitchen – Medical Respite
  • County of Riverside - Maternal Health Matters Workshops
  • Riverside Community Health Foundation – Nurturing Our Roots by Providing Maternal Health Support
  • Feeding America Riverside-San Bernardino - Increasing Access to Healthy Food
  • Food In Need of Distribution (FIND) Food Bank - Healthy Food Cohort
  • Community Settlement Association - Food is Medicine with Healthy Groceries for Chronic Disease Prevention
  • Catholic Charities - Food is Medicine with Nutrition Security
  • Community Health Association Inland Southern Region - Expanding Capacity in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties
  • Inland Counties Legal Aid - Improving Community Health through Increased Legal Aid Access and Medical Provider Collaboration
  • Inland SoCal Housing Collective - Advancing Access through Policy, Partnerships & Innovation
  • Lift to Rise - Affordable Housing Development as Key Determinant of Regional Health in the Coachella Valley
  • Path of Life Ministries - Provide Enhanced Case Management for Unhoused families
  • Public Service Law Corporation (dba: Riverside Legal Aid) - RLA Homeless Prevention Program
  • Young Scholars for Academic Empowerment (dba: TruEvolution) - Mobile Street Medicine Program

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. The organization is recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org

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