RISE Cowley Receives $25,000 Grant for Community Health Worker Initiative
COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. — RISE Cowley was honored Wednesday with a $25,000 award from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas' Pathways to a Healthy Kansas initiative to continue its Community Health Worker role.
The award was presented to Robin Henderson of RISE Cowley and Eagle Nest Inc. during a ceremony in Winfield.
Eagle Nest serves as the anchor organization for the Health-Related Social-Needs package. The work is strengthened by co-anchor partners the City-Cowley County Health Department and William Newton Hospital. Together, these organizations form the leadership backbone of the package, ensuring coordination, accountability and measurable impact for residents.
Ally from the Health Department, Sarah representing William Newton Hospital, and Amy from the City of Winfield attended the ceremony, along with representatives from Robin Henderson's organization and members of the RISE Cowley coalition and integral leaders within the Pathways initiative.
"When healthcare, public health, and community organizations sit at the same table, real systems change can happen!" according to the RISE Cowley announcement.
Pathways to a Healthy Kansas is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas' largest community grant initiative. It supports local coalitions working to improve active living, healthy eating, behavioral health and the community conditions that make it easier for families to live well. It focuses on long-term, community-led change across Kansas.
RISE Cowley has been a Pathways community since 2017, bringing partners together across healthcare, schools, nonprofits, businesses and local government to create healthier systems for everyone.
"This work is not one organization. It is coalition work. It is neighbors working alongside neighbors," the announcement stated.
The ceremony included members of the Eagle Nest board and staff, along with members of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas team.
RISE Cowley is part of the Legacy Regional Community Foundation. Cowley County is located in south-central Kansas.