Project ACCESS in Colorado Springs lands $75,000 BUILD Health Challenge grant

Project ACCESS – a Colorado Springs collaboration between the YMCA of Pikes Peak Region, LiveWell Colorado Springs, Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, El Paso County Public Health, Colorado Community Center Collaborative, Youth Violence Prevention (YVP) Initiative, Community Care of Central Colorado, Peak Vista Community Health Centers, and Kaiser Permanente – was selected to receive a $75,000 grant for their efforts to improve community health from the BUILD Health Challenge, a national awards program.

Project ACCESS targets barriers, including geographic and demographic disparities in access to services, health care and safe environments. The partnership will seek opportunities to engage residents and leaders of Southeast Colorado Springs (SECS), an area struggling with rising poverty levels, high unemployment, and violence, to build capacity and channel resources for change.

Project ACCESS seeks to improve neighborhood safety and reduce exposure to violence among youth and young families. The BUILD Health Challenge grant will allow Project ACCESS to accelerate its efforts to bring faith-based, health and recreational organizations together to engage the community, improve neighborhood safety, and reduce exposure to violence

For more information, go to El Paso County Health.