Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Community Foundation (WCF.)

The Whitewater Community Foundation (WCF) has announced that the Rock River Community Clinic (RRCC) was the recipient of the WCF Action Grant from last fall, and has received $3,500 for website design and development improvements with more accessible materials and clear, simple navigation in both Spanish and English.  The grant will also aid in completing the poster project and finishing the Community Resource Wall in the Dental Office.    

Olivia Nichols, CEO and Executive Director of the Rock River Community Clinic, said, “We are so grateful for the support of the Whitewater Community Foundation to advance these two projects at RRCC, both of which will support our efforts to continue finding effective ways to support our patients. Partnership support is critical to our organization’s overall community outreach and education efforts, and we are incredibly appreciative of the WCF’s willingness to serve in this partnership capacity for our organization.” 

At RRCC, all community members are welcome and accepted. BadgerCare (Medicaid) and Medicare are accepted at all RRCC locations and help support RRCC operations and services. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), RRCC receives higher reimbursement rates for BadgerCare and Medicare payer groups, which helps cover discounted prices for patients who are uninsured or underinsured (high deductible plans). Many commercial insurance groups are also accepted at RRCC, and further support the mission.

Care coordination services are also available at RRCC to help patients overcome barriers to accessing healthcare, including prescription assistance programs, transportation support, and behavioral health referrals. Care Navigators also assist in enrolling eligible families in BadgerCare to attain needed health insurance for individuals, families, and children. Over one-third of RRCC medical staff are bilingual (Spanish & English) to further support patient care and communication.

By increasing access to health care services, offering care at affordable costs, and providing care coordination services, RRCC works to create a healthier, more equitable, community. For clinic hours and directions, visit www.rockrivercommunityclinic.org

Rock River is one of many organizations that have received Whitewater Community Foundation Action Grant funds over the years.  The next grant application process deadline is April 30.  

Qualified projects should be intended for educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent purposes that will benefit and improve the greater Whitewater community.  Consideration will also be made based on the results of the 2023 Civic Summit, when more than 30 community members, business leaders, educators, nonprofit organizers, and others determined key areas for improvement in Whitewater:

• Communicating to Whitewater’s diverse population in English and Spanish, making signage bilingual, coordinating communication to all groups, and providing opportunities for people of different backgrounds, age groups, etc. to integrate to help meet community needs;
• Housing assistance, affordability and accessibility for families and professionals seeking to purchase homes;  
• Marketing Whitewater by coordinating and cross-pollinating events, calendars and volunteer opportunities.

Projects are expected to be accomplished within a specific period of time (generally not more than one year) and should be creative, innovative and address community needs.  Interested organizations can find more information and fill out an application at: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bx6_oS4QSIAeR3BoVjNTeVJfQzg 

The deadline for submitting applications is April 30, 2024.

Organizations interested in pursuing a Whitewater Community Foundation Action Grant should check out the Whitewater Community Foundation web site https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/community-action-grants/ or contact Kat at 262-473-1403.

The Foundation continues to provide and host scholarships for Whitewater High School students and also offers fiscal sponsorship to organizations that are seeking 501(c) (3) status or require temporary pass-through funds for worthy community projects.

More information about the Whitewater Community Foundation can be found at whitewatercommunityfoundation.org and on Facebook. 

The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to “enhance quality of life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures.”