Knapp Community Care Foundation

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.

03/06/2026

03/02/2026

Knapp Community Care Foundation is proud to help promote an important community health event hosted by Knapp Medical Center!

Join them for a FREE Physician Talk & Luncheon focused on preventing colon cancer, taking place:

📅 Thursday, March 5
🕚 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
📍 Knapp Conference Center – Weslaco

This informative session will give attendees the opportunity to:
✅ Learn valuable information about colon cancer prevention
✅ Ask questions directly to a physician
✅ Receive helpful health resources and giveaway items
✅ Enter a drawing for exciting door prizes

We encourage community members to attend, learn, and take proactive steps toward better health.

02/24/2026

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Behind every successful nonprofit is strong leadership.

We are proud to recognize and thank our Executive Board Members for their commitment, vision, and dedication to advancing RGV LEAD’s mission.

02/24/2026

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02/24/2026

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The Children’s Bereavement Center of the RGV is hosting “B.E.C.O.M.I.N.G A Butterfly”, fashion show on February 28th! 🦋👗

You can still get tickets now online! 🎟️

Thank you to Bill Reagan and Noelynn Llasos for coming by to tell us more about it! 🩷🩵💜

02/17/2026

💜 Funding Opportunity for Dementia Respite Innovation 💜

The Knapp Community Care Foundation (KCCF) is proud to help promote this important funding opportunity from the Alzheimer’s Association Center for Dementia Respite Innovation (CDRI). Alzheimer’s Association Center for Dementia Respite Innovation (CDRI) is now accepting grant applications to strengthen respite services, build dementia-capable providers, and advance person-centered care for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.

📌 Why apply?
Up to $4 million in total funding is available to support innovative programs nationwide and we are excited about the possibility of bringing a CDRI center to the Rio Grande Valley!

🗓️ Key Dates
RFA Release: February 2, 2026
Information & Support Webinar: February 18, 2026 | 1:00 PM ET (Zoom – recording available)

Letter of Intent Due: March 2, 2026 | 11:59 PM ET
Full Application Due: March 30, 2026 | 11:59 PM ET
Award Notifications: May 15, 2026
Participation Period: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027

💰 Award Types
Start-Up Awards: 2 years | up to $50,000/year
Pilot Awards: 1 year | up to $125,000

🔗 Apply & Learn More:
👉 alz.org/CDRI

We strongly encourage interested organizations to attend the February 18 Zoom webinar to learn more about eligibility, qualifying criteria, and successful application strategies.

This is a powerful opportunity to expand dementia respite care and make a lasting impact in our region. We look forward to seeing strong applications and hopefully welcoming a CDRI center to the Rio Grande Valley!

Discover how the Center for Dementia Respite Innovation (CDRI) funds grants, training and resources to improve respite care and support dementia caregivers.