H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation gives HARC $25,000

Our Spotlight Grant recipient for August is the Health Assessment and Research for Communities also known as HARC.

Founded 11 years ago, HARC’s sole purpose is to provide research to improve health and quality of life. Every three years HARC conducts a community-wide survey of the health of the region.

“We work for other organizations throughout the valley to really get them the data they need so they can do their best work,” said CEO Jenna Lecomte-Hinely.

Since their founding, they’ve conducted the survey four times. It covers everything from health access to mental health issues.

“It’s one thing to say we need funding for programs and services to address that problem. It’s another to say ‘look here’s the hard numbers, this is a major problem’ and that makes these funding requests much more competitive,” Lecomte-Hinely said.

Organizations like Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo use their research to write grants.

“Its very good to have that knowledge when you are implementing. Even when you’re implementing things like vaccines or educational components for diabetes and you have that information,” said Caludia Galvez the Chief Officer of Government and Community Affairs for the clinic.

This research is having a big impact on the valley.

Organizations using our data to backup their request for funding have brought in over $12.8 million in funds to the Coachella valley that funds free HIV testing, meals for homebound seniors, pregnancy prevention training for kids, whole nine yards,” Lecomte-Hinely said.

Now thanks to a $25,000 grant from the H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation, HARC can continue their work.

“The vast majority of our costs are staff costs. We have people who need to crunch the numbers, write the reports and disseminate them,” Lecomte-Hinely said.

In turn, helping clinics like Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo continue to provide quality care for people who need it.