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2024 Grants Challenge

Empowering Grief Support and Women's Wellness

2.18 Vision seeks to expand its grief support and women's empowerment programs to reduce isolation and promote mental well-being. This grant will fund regular grief support gatherings, therapeutic workshops, and quarterly women’s seminars on entrepreneurship, health, and wellness, fostering a supportive and interconnected community.

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What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?

Social support networks

In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?

The issue we are seeking to address is the rising epidemic of loneliness and the lack of supportive networks for individuals, particularly those experiencing grief and women in transitional life phases. Loneliness and social isolation have significant negative impacts on mental health and well-being, exacerbating feelings of grief and hindering personal and professional growth. Additionally, women often face barriers to accessing resources and support that can help them navigate major life events and achieve their goals. Our project aims to create inclusive, supportive environments that foster community connections, promote mental well-being and empower individuals through education and mutual support.

Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.

The project supported by this grant will focus on expanding 2.18 Vision's grief support and women's empowerment initiatives. We will organize monthly grief support gatherings to provide a safe and therapeutic environment for individuals to share their experiences, receive emotional support and develop healthy coping mechanisms. These gatherings will include activities such as letter-writing workshops, group discussions and activities, yoga, sound bath healing and professional guidance on navigating grief. Additionally, we will host quarterly women’s seminars covering topics such as entrepreneurship, homeownership, investing, social media management and health and wellness. These seminars aim to equip women with the knowledge and skills to pursue their dreams, handle major life events, and improve their overall well-being. Our project will also include health and wellness workshops, focusing on mental and physical health, to support women in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Through these programs, we aim to reduce isolation, foster community connections, promote mental well-being and empower individuals to achieve their full potential. The grant will help us reach more participants, provide vital resources, and create a more interconnected and supportive community.

Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.

Enhanced Social Support: More individuals will engage in grief support gatherings, creating a stronger sense of community and reducing feelings of loneliness. These gatherings will provide safe spaces for sharing experiences and receiving emotional support.
Empowered Women: Women will gain valuable knowledge and skills through our events on entrepreneurship, health and wealth. This will lead to increased economic opportunities, improved personal well-being and greater confidence.
Improved Mental Health: By providing culturally sensitive and inclusive mental health support, individuals will experience better mental health outcomes. Our support groups will equip participants with effective coping strategies and access to necessary resources.
Community Resilience: The community as a whole will become more resilient, with stronger intergenerational relationships and mutual aid networks. Neighbors will come together to support one another, creating a more interconnected and caring society.

What evidence do you have that this project, program, or initiative is or will be successful, and how will you define and measure success?

We measure our impact through surveys, video testimonials, success stories, and tracking attendance and engagement. Surveys gather feedback on participants' experiences and assess changes in mental and physical health. Video testimonials from participants, instructors, and volunteers highlight personal transformations. Success stories document life-changing results, such as improved mental health and personal development, from attending our women’s events. Increased attendance and engagement levels indicate growing community interest and program effectiveness.
Evidence of Impact:
Video testimonials show significant improvements in mental and physical health.
Surveys consistently reflect high satisfaction rates and positive feedback.
Success stories reveal life-saving outcomes and profound personal growth.
Rising attendance and active participation demonstrate the need and positive reception in the community.

Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?

Direct Impact: 900.0

Indirect Impact: 2,300.0