North Platte, Neb. – With support from a $10,000 grant from the Nebraska Blue Foundation, HOPE Esperanza is working to break down barriers to health care access in North Platte.
The grassroots organization will use the Nebraska Blue Foundation grant to expand its HOPE for Health: Empowering Community Wellness program. As part of this expansion, the organization will help connect over 900 individuals with vital health services at the upcoming Community Health Fair, taking place Friday, July 25 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Mid-Plains Community College’s North Campus.
The annual Community Health Fair serves as a one-stop shop for community members to access essential health screenings, vaccinations, school registration, food resources, safety education resources and more.
“When we serve diverse populations, breaking down the barriers to health and cultural competencies is really important,” TinaMaria Fernandez, founder and executive director of HOPE Esperanza, said. “The HOPE for Health program looks to break down these barriers related to language, transportation and access to health care services by ensuring all individuals can receive the information and preventive care they need to lead healthy lives.”
HOPE Esperanza’s commitment to preventive health doesn’t stop with the health fair. Throughout the year, the Nebraska Blue Foundation’s grant will impact five other areas of the HOPE for Health program, including:
- The Positive Impact Program – A monthly program encouraging youth to engage in physical activity.
- Happy and Well Together – A program for women concentrating on social connectedness, self-care, health and physical activity.
- Vaccine Clinics – In partnership with the West Central Health Department, HOPE for Health offers regular vaccine clinics to ensure community members have access to immunizations.
- Community Gym – A community center featuring a gym that is open to all community members at no cost.
“The work they’re doing for the North Platte community is so important,” said Jay Warren-Teamer, Nebraska Blue Foundation executive director and community and strategic engagement leader at BCBSNE. “The Foundation’s grant to HOPE Esparanza is an excellent example of a program championing health and well-being for Nebraskans.”
In April of this year, the Nebraska Blue Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, gave $300,000 in grant funds to 20 Nebraska nonprofits to support preventive health initiatives and enhance the well-being of seniors across the state.
Learn more about HOPE Esperanza and the other spring 2025 Nebraska Blue Foundation grant recipients at NebraskaBlue.com/Foundation.
