WSSU Photo by Garrett Garms A WSSU physical therapy student works with MSfit participant Patsy Murrill. Fitness program at YWCA is helping those with MS SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE MSfit, a free fitness and wellness program offered to people living with MS, has officially started at the Gateway YWCA, 1300 S. Main St. Since MSfit was announced in October, there has been an overwhelming response from potential participants. Etta Branson, diagnosed in 2013, said, "When I saw the article in the paper about MSfit I was so excited. I thought to myself this is the perfect program to stay in shape and meet other people with MS that are experienc ing similar symptoms as me. This is a much needed pro gram in the MS community, I can't wait to start!" MSfit's partnership with the YWCA allows partici pants to take advantage of a wide range of classes and amenities seven days a week. "The goal of this program is to enhance the quality of life for MS participants and their families. We will docu ment results from our program and share them with physi cians to better understand the role fitness and wellness plays in managing MS symptoms" said Brian Murrill, founder and executive director of MSfit. Prior to beginning the program, participants are required to complete an initial fitness screening that will gauge their level of ability. The screenings will be con ducted by the Winston-Salem State University Department of Physical Therapy. Dr. Sara Migliarese, a physical therapy professor at WSSU, said, "The WSSU Department of Physical Therapy is excited about the start of MSfit ... Our third year students will be performing the fitness screenings and developing exercise programs for the clients with MS based on their abilities. Under the supervision of DPT faculty, the students will educate each client on safe and effective exercise using the YWCA facilities, classes, and equipment. This service-learning opportunity will benefit the students, as well as the clients, and the WSSU PT Club is already involved in early fund raising activities to help support the MSfit Foundation. WSSU is committed to the success and sustainability of this community service." As a part of their coursework, the WSSU Department of PT will return to the Gateway YWCA once a month to reevaluate participants and document their successes. "We are very excited about the future of this pro gram", said Murrill. With the continued support of the YWCA, the WSSU Department of PT, and the National MS Society, I'm confident that MSfit will have a signifi cant impact on the MS community." For more information on MSfit, contact Brian Murrill at msfitfoundation@gmail.com. Philanthropy group ready for celebration Grant recipients to be honored SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE The Black Philanthropy Initiative (BPI) awarded $15,000 in grants in late 2014 from the Black Philanthropy Fund's sev entll_grant cycle, support ing programs that are improving the lives of African-Americans in. the areas of education, parent ing and financial literacy. The nonprofit will hold a grant reception honoring BPI's grantees on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at Experiment in Self Reliance's new facili ty, 3480 Dominion St. A continental breakfast will be provided at 8:30 a.m. with a program to fol low at 9 a.m. RSVJ\to Leila Warren atVlwaK ren@wsfoundation.orh. Grants were awarded ?Experiment in Self Reliance: $5,000 to sup port the New Century Individual Development Account (IDA) program to help more working low income individuals become financially stable, and to ultimately become first time homebuyers. Experiment in Self Reliance will provide IDA program graduates who have purchased a home with additional financial literacy classes to reinforce best practices of long-term financial success. In addition, each gradu ate is paired with a success coach who will gather information from the grad uates regarding their finan cial stability to help enhance the IDA program for future participants and to research the program's long-term impact. ?Empowering Girls in Real Life Situations: $5,000 to support a pro gram for girls and teens that builds self-esteem through education and mentoring. The program provides group discussions on issues that the girls may be expe riencing, mentoring, col lege tours, etiquette train ing and a community serv ice project. The program is being offered at Philo Middle School and Parkland High School during the 2014 2015 school year. 'School Health Alliance for Forsyth County: $5,000 to support a behavioral treatment project for students and families at Ashley Elementary who are affect ed by attention deficit/hyper activity disor der (ADHD). The 18-week pilot pro gram will provide parents with up-to-date informa tion on ADHD treatment, best practices on advocat ing for their children, par enting skills and opportuni ties to participate in team building exercises with their child's teacher. BPI also announced that its Black Philanthropy Initiative Endowment, which was established in 2014 with $25,000, has now grown to almost $68,000. Income from this endowment will supple ment funds that are raised annually to provide grant making for programs sup porting the African Zerican community. First Tennessee Bank also committed to a three-year $10,000 annual matching challenge grant to support the Initiative's endowment. Thanks to generous donor support, BPI received the first matching grant of $10,000 in 2014. Alison Ashe-Card, chairwoman of the Black Philanthropy Initiative, said, "This is an exciting time for BPI: not only are we announcing grants that will strengthen our com munity, but we're celebrat ing an exceptional year of growth in BPI's endow ment. "We appreciate the support of our w o n - derful donors as well as the match i n g funds gener .... i it- r- j ousiy Ashe-Card prov,/ ed by First Tennessee Bank." The Black Philanthropy Fund was created through fundrais ing efforts of the Black Philanthropy Initiative (BPI), which was estab lished in 2000 to celebrate the traditions of sharing in the African-American community while expand ing models of charitable giving through education and engagement. Over the course of the past seven years, the Black Philanthropy Initiative has provided $128,200 in program grants to local nonprofits. W-S Foundation announces January community grants SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE The Winston-Salem Foundation announces 25 Community Grants totaling $422,896 that will touch the lives of many living in Forsyth County. Grants were awarded to organizations in the following program areas: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, health, human services and pub lic interest. The organizations receiving awards are. ?Center for Creative Economy - $15,000 for the Swerve program ?Children's Home Society of NC - $4,000 for a second year of support for marketing ?Children's Law Center of Central NC - $25,000 for a second year of support for a director of development ?Forsyth Education Partnership - $22,000 for a part time educator warehouse manager for a second year ?Group Homes of Forsyth - $30,000 for marketing and development analysis and strategy ?Hispanics in Philanthropy - $10,000 to support Forsyth County organizations responding to administra tive relief and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ?Hosanna House of Transition - $8,000 for consultant services to develop a worker cooperative model for an employment training program ?Imprints - $15,000 for a business development direc tor for a third year ?Lowrance Middle School PTA - $9,465 to fund a summer respite care program for students with disabilities and their families ?Moravian Church in America, Southern Province - $15,000 to assist with operating costs for the City with Dwellings winter shelter ?NC Institute of Medicine - $10,000 to establish a state-wide task force on Alzheimer's Disease ?NC Institute of Political Leadership - $8,000 to expand programming for women and collegiate students and establish Alumni Councils ?Next Step Ministries - $4,800 for a new client data base ?Salem Academy and College - $50,000 for the capi tal campaign ?School Health Alliance for Forsyth County - $9,131 ,to support a behavioral treatment project for students and families affected by Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ?Second Sundays on Fourth - $3,000 for marketing assistance to diversify its audience ?Senior Services - $40,000 to support the Home Care program for high-risk seniors for a second year ?Smith Farm Elementary PTA - $10,000 for the con struction of a playground ll ?Sunnystde Ministry of the Moravian (Jiurch - $12,000 for a program manager for a second year ?Veterans Helping Veterans Heal, Inc. - $20,000 to develop marketing materials ?Vigils for Healing - $2,500 to provide monetary sup port for the family members of victims of violent death ?WinstonNet - $25,000 to expand the executive direc tor's part time hours for a second year ?Winston-Salem Symphony - $30,000 for a resource coordinator position ?Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools - $30,000 to support family engagement programs in the Winston Salem/ Forsyth County Schools for a third year ?World Relief High Point - $15000 for the Anti Human Trafficking program manager position The Winston-Salem Foundation is a community foun dation that supports charitable programs in the greater Forsyth County area. Founded in 1919 with a $1000 gift, it now administers approximately 1300 funds and had total custodial assets of $384.3 million at the end of 2014. In 2014, the Foundation granted $24.8 million to char itable causes, over $2 million of which was through the Community Grants program. Learn more at www.wsfoundation.org. ^ Veterans Helping Veterans Heal representatives were at a function in December. From left are Diane Evans, Jane Milner, Leslie Jones and Mary Jac Brennan. NEW PATIENTS Ottr aHkr pwWn iW laliwll wnhw ? Cui?f>oi ? ftmrtmc ? Fnurci ? ttnr*i *? autrci ? liwr ( wu? ? Fm?? ? (Mmni Dniim ? ??>i*t fart4jw? ? Imr- dign mm *?,..? Wf arcrpl w?? (arm imutmkt (336) 744-1300 wnuiAmailaxni I la Your License Revoked or even Permanantly Revoked? I May Be Able to Gat You a Driving Privilege. is the Ball Bondsman Too Expansive? Maybe You Need to try a Property Bond. Call Mel Erie S EHUon AnomtfAtlMw 112 North Marshall Street Winston Salem. NC 27101 (Just Sorth of In Siren) Phone (.*.16) 723 7.170 Fax: (336) 723 7372 elltvnUa* ??7 .??