News

Phase 2 of City's Clean Air Ordiance took effect on January 1

January 5, 2015

The second phase of the ordinance started on January 1, 2015. Smoking will be prohibited at all City-Owned, enclosed as well as outdoor facilities at all times, (with the exception of designated places at the El Paso International Airport). These changes apply to all sports arenas and stadiums, all parks and playgrounds, as well as 20 feet from the entrance of all outdoor public transportation stations, platforms, and shelters under the authority of the City.

For more information, visit http://home.elpasotexas.gov/health/ or call 915-212-0220.

Foundation awards new grants under Two Should Know Initiative

November 6, 2014

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation recently awarded seven grants totaling more than $2.1 million under the Healthy Relationships Priority Area – Two Should Know initiative.

The overarching goal of the initiative is to effect long‐term improvements in sexual health across the life-span and reduce negative health outcomes in the Paso del Norte region. Newly funded organizations are:

Center Against Family Violence - $221,607.10 No Means No - Good to Go

To provide No Means No sexual violence prevention presentations to approximately 13,000 middle and high school youth in El Paso…

Helping disconnected girls find a place in Girl Scouts

October 20, 2014

Unlike other days, Maria couldn’t wait to get home to show her mother the flyer she received at school about joining Girl Scouts. She has always wanted to be a Girl Scout, but troops were not organized at her school or around her neighborhood until now.

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s IGNITE initiative has awarded $50,000 to the Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest (GSDSW) to create 24 new troops and offer Girl Scout Leadership Experience to 240 disconnected girls from Doña Ana, Luna and Otero Counties in New Mexico.

The goal of IGNITE is to improve a range of health outcomes…

Tocando helps disconnected youth at Hart Elementary

October 13, 2014

As the last bell rings at the end of the school day, 35 students from Hart Elementary rush quickly through the halls, not to leave the school campus, but to get their instruments and prepare for their music lesson. Through collaboration with the Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s IGNITE initiative, the El Paso Symphony Orchestra (EPSO) is working to improve the range of health outcomes for disconnected youth through their Tocando! music program. The Foundation refers to “disconnected youth” as people between the ages of 7 – 18 years old who are not involved in out-of-school activities or…

CEO receives prestigious Fred Rogers Leadership Award

October 10, 2014

On October 15, Myrna J. Deckert, CEO of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation will be awarded the Fred Rogers Leadership Award in Philanthropy for children, youth and families for 2014.

Grantmakers for Children, Youth and Families (GCYF) gives this prestigious award annually in memory of one of the country’s most beloved advocates for children, Fred McFeely Rogers (“Mr. Rogers”). This award recognizes outstanding contributions and leadership by grantmaking staff, trustees and donors in all fields of children, youth and family philanthropy. This year’s award will be presented at GCYF’s…

Dr. Whigham's appointment to benefit obesity prevention in the region

September 17, 2014

Dr. Leah D. Whigham, Executive Director for the Paso del Norte Institute for Healthy Living (IHL) was recently selected to serve on the Obesity Society Council as Clinical Practice Councilor and on the Advocacy Committee.

As a Clinical Practice Councilor, Dr. Whigham will serve a three-year term, which includes oversight of and reporting about committees, sectors and task forces with a primary responsibility of coordinating activities to meet strategic plan goals and strategies of the Obesity Society Council. On the Advocacy Committee, she will be responsible for tracking legislative and…

Foundation awards grants to support healthy youth

September 15, 2014

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation recently awarded 12 grants for more than $1,247,000 under the Healthy Relationships Priority Area – IGNITE Initiative. The goal of the IGNITE initiative is to work with community organizations and schools to improve health outcomes of youth through participation in out-of-school programs.

Funded organizations are:

Creative Kids, Inc. - $91,944.60 Project ABLE (Art Brokers Learning Experiences) To offer an after-school and summer visual arts education program for 115 disconnected youth 7-18 years old in Fabens, TX.

Girl Scouts of the Desert…

Tracy Yellen - 2014 Women of Impact

September 10, 2014

Congratulations to Tracy Yellen on being named 2014 El Paso Inc. Women of Impact.

Other honorees included:

Rosemary Castillo

Betty Ligon

Cindy Ramos-Davidson

Denese Watkins

Joyce Wilson

Bowie High School Jardin Project

September 8, 2014

The community of south El Paso along with students, staff and faculty of Bowie High School will soon work together to educate people on growing, preparing, selling and consuming nutritious food for a healthy lifestyle. With support from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) initiative and La Semilla Food Center, a food coordinator will be hired. The food coordinator will integrate La Semilla’s Edible education program model over two-years to 600 students, 500 families and community residents on the Bowie campus in cooking, taste, learning events and…

Las Cruces Kids develop videos to promote healthy habits

September 5, 2014

Through the use of videos, 300 students in eight media technology classes at several middle and high schools in Las Cruces Public Schools, participated in a project that challenged them to develop health messages that would improve nutrition and activity habits on their school campus.

Supported by the Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s Healthy Eating Active Living - HEAL initiative, Las Cruces Public Schools worked with teachers and students to find creative ways through video to influence administrative staff, students, and parents on nutrition and physical activity policy and practice,…