Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center received a $3,800 Cycle 1 Community Grant from the Winona Community Foundation in 2022. This grant supported external safety monitoring at their four group home locations. The addition of exterior security cameras is intended to improve the safety and security of these homes for both the residential adults and workers.

The four group homes are all located within the Winona community. This impact region includes a population 37 adults with significant mental health needs that are prolonged and recurrent, impair their activities of daily living, and require long-term treatment. These cameras allow these locations to facilitate a safe home by putting exceptional focus on monitoring these external environments.

Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center expanded their opportunity into a method that is financially sustainable. They purchased solar powered cameras that don’t require hard wiring in the house, have internal memory, and do not require ongoing costs to repair.

As a result of these cameras, Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center has received positive feedback from clients around increased feelings of security. The report states that they feel safe, “(having) knowledge of who is accessing our properties at all times regardless of staff presence.”

An important part of the Winona Community Foundation’s mission is realized though awarding community grants to meet the ever-changing needs of the community through a competitive process. By doing so, a variety of interests are supported with the goal of helping local charities make a difference in the Winona area. Our community grants for nonprofits are broad and inclusive to meet the current community needs in the Winona area. Make a gift in support of the Community grant program to make a difference today.

Winona Community Foundation
wcf@winonacf.org
507-454-6511