Knapp Community Care Foundation

05/14/2026

Knapp Community Care Foundation was honored to be part of the first City of Weslaco, The Official Site Healthcare Coalition meeting as community leaders, healthcare professionals, and emergency response partners came together to strengthen collaboration and preparedness for our region.

We also look forward to continuing our partnership with the City of Weslaco, The Official Site through the upcoming Blue Zones Initiative as we work together to create a healthier, stronger future and lasting impact for the community.
(Photos Courtesy of City of Weslaco, The Official Site)

04/27/2026

KCCF is proud to celebrate our partners at Dentists Who Care!

Last week, we were honored to join in celebrating the opening of their new office and 30 years of service to the Rio Grande Valley.

Thank you for your continued commitment to providing dental care to those who need it most and for the lasting impact you make in our community.

04/22/2026

KCCF is proud to be attending the Food Summit, a farmer, rancher, & community event hosted at Region One! 🌱

Launched in 2023 by IESH in partnership with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, the National Center for Appropriate Technology, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, this annual event continues to bring together a diverse network of food system leaders from across South Texas and the broader South and Southwest regions.

From farmers and ranchers to distributors, nonprofits, government agencies, students, and community members, the summit creates a powerful space to learn, connect, and co-create strategies that strengthen a more resilient and sustainable food system.

We are inspired by the collaboration, innovation, and shared commitment to growing solutions that support local economies and the well-being of our communities.

“The future is growing here” and we are excited to be part of it!

04/21/2026

Congratulations to our friends at Knapp Medical Center!

KCCF is proud to join Knapp Medical Center in celebrating Dr. Padmini Bhadriraju on being named a “Chief Medical Officer to Know” by Becker’s Hospital Review for the third consecutive year, an incredible and well-deserved national recognition!

Dr. Bhadriraju’s leadership continues to drive excellence across Prime Healthcare hospitals in the Rio Grande Valley, including Knapp Medical Center, where her commitment to quality, safety, and patient care is making a lasting impact in our communities.

Because of her leadership, hospitals under her guidance have earned top national recognitions, including “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, Forbes Top Hospitals 2026 honors, and multiple distinctions for quality and patient outcomes.

Her work is not only elevating healthcare standards but also improving lives across the Valley, especially in addressing chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

We are grateful for leaders like Dr. Bhadriraju who are shaping a healthier future for our region.

04/14/2026

We are excited to continue to collaborate with the Aspen Global Innovators Group in supporting the 2026 Class of the Healthy Communities Fellowship!

The Healthy Communities Fellowship, a program by the Aspen Global Innovators Group remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing community leaders in the United States. As partners, we recognize the transformative impact these community leaders can achieve in creating healthier communities.

Read the full announcement here: https://www.aspenglobalinnovators.org/stories/2026-healthy-communities-fellows/

The 2026 Healthy Communities Fellows are based in Kentucky and Texas.

MEET THE HEALTHY COMMUNITIES FELLOWS:
The 2026 Healthy Communities Fellows are based in Kentucky and Texas.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS FELLOWS
Moises Arjona Jr. | CEO, Unidos Contra la Diabetes
Sandra de la Cruz-Yarrison | Executive Director, Holy Family Services, Inc.

LAREDO, TEXAS FELLOWS
Marcella Juarez | Co-Founder, Palo Bianco Farm and Ranch
Ray Sanchez | Co-founder and Executive Director, Smiles From Heaven

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY FELLOWS
Cassia Herron | Founder and CEO, Herron Inc; Co-Founder, Louisville Community Grocery
Attica Scott | Director of Special Projects, Forward Justice
Christopher 2X | Executive Director and Founder, 2x Game Changers
Lauren Muir | Co-Owner, Martin and Muir Counseling

Washington, DC, April 9, 2026 – The Aspen Global Innovators Group (AGI) is proud to announce the selection of its eighth cohort of the Healthy Communities

04/13/2026

Looking for volunteers or ways to boost community engagement?

Join our friends from the UTRGV Nonprofit Resource Center for a FREE Engagement Zone Training and learn how to connect with passionate volunteers, post your organization’s needs, and track volunteer hours all in one place!

📅 Tuesday, April 21, 2026
⏰ 9:00 – 10:30 AM
📍 UTRGV CIC, Weslaco, TX

This hands-on session will walk you through how to use this powerful (and free!) recruiting tool to support your organization’s mission. Bring your volunteer needs and get started right away!

🔗 Register here: EZ.UTRGV.EDU

Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your impact in the community!

03/30/2026

Knapp Community Care Foundation is excited to help spread the word and invite physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals to join our friends at Knapp Medical Center for the 31st Annual Rio Grande Valley Medical Education Conference & Exposition!

📍 Location: South Padre Island – Courtyard by Marriott
📅 Dates: Friday, April 24 & Saturday, April 25

This highly anticipated conference will feature expert speakers and timely topics, including:
✨ The impact of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
💊 Updates on weight-loss medications
🧠 A wide range of clinical and emerging healthcare topics

💡 Attendees can earn up to 11 continuing medical education (CME) credits while enjoying a beautiful beachside setting!

Whether you're looking to stay ahead of industry trends, expand your knowledge, or connect with fellow professionals, this is an event you don’t want to miss!

👉 For more information or to register, visit: www.Knappmed.org/cme

We encourage our healthcare community to take advantage of this valuable opportunity!

The 28th Annual Rio Grande Valley Medical Education Conference & Exposition will be re-scheduled for 2021. Updates will be posted when dates are finalized.

03/23/2026

On Wednesday, March 11th, Knapp Community Care Foundation proudly joined South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association (STJDA) in Edcouch for a Board Site Visit to tour their new 30-acre property and future 8,000 sq. ft. building, soon to be their future home and headquarters!

What an inspiring milestone for an organization that has been transforming lives since 2011, walking alongside families and empowering children living with Type 1 Diabetes every step of the way. 💙 From diagnosis to daily support, camps, and community-building programs, STJDA is creating spaces where kids can thrive, connect, and simply be kids.

KCCF is honored to have supported STJDA throughout their transformation from a small nonprofit into the impactful organization they are today, now expanding their reach and vision for the future.

This new campus represents so much more than land, it’s a bold vision for expanded impact, hope, and opportunity across South Texas, featuring a therapy animal farm, a future lake, cabins, a sensory garden, and a story pathway that will create a truly unique healing and learning environment for the children and families they serve.

We are proud to celebrate this exciting next chapter! 🎉

03/17/2026

Earlier this month, we were proud to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the Toddler Adventure Playscape in Gibson Park! This beautiful new space in Weslaco is designed just for our youngest community members supporting early development while encouraging healthy, active play.

This impactful project is the result of a strong community collaboration between the City of Weslaco, The Official Site, Weslaco High School, Weslaco ISD, New Weslaco Elks Lodge #2057, and the Valley Nature Center all coming together to create a healthier future for our children.

Knapp Community Care Foundation is honored to support this project through grant funding adding to our continued investment in Gibson Park, which includes:

🎶 A Musical Garden
♿ A Special Needs Glider
🏀 A Basketball Court

Together, these enhancements are helping transform Gibson Park into a more inclusive, accessible, and vibrant space for all families.

Thank you to all partners and community members who made this vision a reality. We invite everyone to visit, play, and celebrate this exciting addition!


(Photos Courtesy of the City of Weslaco)

03/09/2026

📢 Funding Opportunity for Nonprofits Supporting Youth Mental Health

Knapp Community Care Foundation (KCCF) is happy to help promote a funding opportunity from Cigna Healthcare Group Foundation aimed at improving youth mental health.

The 2026 Grant Program will support nonprofit organizations serving youth ages 5–18, particularly those in underserved communities, with programs that address post-pandemic stress and mental health challenges. Grants of $150,000 for a 12-month period are available for initiatives that:

• Increase social-emotional learning and well-being in school or after-school settings
• Equip parents, caregivers, and youth professionals to better support youth mental health
• Expand access to trauma-focused mental health services and care

📍 Programs must operate in eligible states, including Texas.

🗓 RFA Deadline: March 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET

Apply: https://cignafoundation.versaic.com/login

We encourage nonprofits working to support youth and families to learn more and consider applying.