Riley Children’s Health Launches The Office of Community & Child Health, awards Community Youth Grants
Office of Community & Child Health
INDIANAPOLIS – Riley Children’s Health has launched The Office of Community & Child Health (OCCH), a new initiative dedicated to advancing child health and wellbeing through community-rooted programs, meaningful outreach and partnerships and practical pathways to care. The Office will focus on prevention-centered investments and support community-led initiatives designed to address critical health issues aimed to improve outcomes for children and families across Marion County.
The OCCH is made possible through a landmark gift from Julie Wood of the Tom and Julie Wood Family Foundation and represents one of the largest gifts made to Riley Children’s Foundation Every Child Deserves Riley campaign, will expand Riley Children’s ability to improve health outcomes beyond hospital walls – bringing resources and supports directly to children and families in their own neighborhoods.
“Our family has always believed that giving back is both a responsibility and a privilege. I’ve seen firsthand how much difference access, innovation and community support can make for families in their hardest moments,” said Julie Wood. “This gift is about making sure children and families don’t just receive care when they’re sick, but that they have the resources and support they need to live healthy, safe lives right in their own neighborhoods. I hope this investment helps open doors of opportunity, reduces suffering and strengthens the communities that have given so much to my family.”
In collaboration with the IU Health Healthy Communities team, the OCCH will provide grants to local community organizations addressing pressing community needs, including gun violence prevention, injury prevention, child health and wellness and childhood immunizations. Together, these youth-focused organizations will create a powerful, collective impact by supporting thousands of young people across Marion County helping to build a safer, healthier community.
“Keeping kids safe and well is at the core of our mission,” said David Biggerstaff, president of Riley Children’s Health. “This Office helps us organize these efforts, and this generous gift helps us propel our mission. We are excited to pour into our community, especially for the children and families of Marion County.”
“Achieving long-term improvements in child health requires more than individual programs — it takes intentional, trust-based partnerships,” said Nichole Wilson, vice president of community health operations at IU Health. “I’m inspired every day by the commitment of our community partners to improve outcomes for children and families. Together, we have an opportunity to expand this work to create a stronger, healthier Indiana.”
The 2025 Community Youth grants, totaling $250,000, have been awarded to the following organizations:
Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis – $45,000 grant to support the Community Diversion Initiative aimed at preventing gun violence and high-risk behaviors among vulnerable youth in Marion County. The program provides relevant services in partnership with schools, law enforcement and community organizations, fostering protective factors and positive life pathways.
Indiana Immunization Coalition – $40,000 grant to expand vaccine access by operating at least 40 mobile clinics in Marion County neighborhoods and administering approximately 1,500 vaccines to at least 500 children aged 12 and under while working to remove barriers to care. They aim to ensure all recommended vaccines are available at no cost to uninsured or underinsured families.
Struggle Made Us – $45,000 grant to support trauma-informed prevention-centered programming for 150 youth, ages 12-18, and 75 caregivers in high-risk Marion County zip codes. The initiative fosters resilience, connection and long-term mental wellness being delivered in trusted community settings by trained facilitators and mentors with lived, shared experience.
Indianapolis Public Schools Foundation – $40,000 grant to launch a districtwide swimming program to provide life-saving aquatic skills and water safety education to over 1,000 K-12 students, prioritizing communities with disproportionate drowning rates. The program will combine certified instruction, family engagement and community partnerships to address lack of swimming education access, reduce injury risks and promote lifelong physical wellness.
Eclectic Soul Voices – $45,000 grant to expand its Power & Promise Youth Council and engage 15-20 system-involved youth from Indianapolis’ Far Eastside to co-design and lead a public health-informed gun violence prevention campaign. Participants will develop leadership, advocacy and peer-education programs to address community violence and mental health in one of the city’s highest-need areas.
Jump IN for Healthy Kids – $35,000 grant to fund their multi-sector effort in reducing childhood obesity in Central Indiana by embedding evidence-based nutrition and physical activity practices into early childhood education, schools and community systems. The project prioritizes children in economically-challenged and high-risk neighborhoods where families live, learn and play.
