GRAND RAPIDS - The Grand Rapids Community Foundation and the American Heart Association have announced a grant worth approximately $25,000 that has been awarded to the local office of the American Heart Association to provide a health program that addresses risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases to at-risk populations in Grand Rapids. The American Heart Association, in partnership with Spectrum Health HeartReach and Omni Faith Health Partnership, will implement the Search Your Heart program within five area churches with a high percentage of at-risk members. Those at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases include African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and the elderly. The churches will be chosen with assistance from Omni Faith and the Spectrum Health HeartReach program. Search Your Heart is an American Heart Association program specifically designed to meet the needs of church congregations in reducing their risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Those risk factors are:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Physical inactivity
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Obesity/Overweight

“We appreciate the grant for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation,” said Sarah Poole, Heart and Stroke Director for the American Heart Association in Grand Rapids. “With this funding, we’ll be able to reach out to the people in our community who are most at risk and help them live longer, stronger lives.” The Grand Rapids Community Foundation recently authorized over $500,000 in grants to various agencies and community organizations in Grand Rapids. For more information on Search Your Heart, call 616-285-1888. For more information on the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, go to www.grfoundation.org. The Grand Rapids Community Foundation, the oldest community foundation in Michigan, was founded in 1922. It continues to fund, initiate and lead programs that benefit the Grand Rapids area in the arts, community development, education, environment, health, and human services.