Mission/Strategic Objectives/Goals

MISSION

The Horizon Foundation's mission is to promote and enhance the health and wellness of the Howard County community through innovative program development; community-wide planning; public policy activism; facilitating partnerships; organizational and community capacity building; and both strategic and responsive grantmaking. ¹

STRATEGIC GOALS

1. Serve as a catalyst to solidify, improve and expand community health and wellness infrastructure in concert with other organizations and government;
   
   
2. Increase access to health and wellness interventions for at-risk populations, strengthen the integrity of local safety net programs and promote adequate emergency readiness capabilities;
   
   
3. Undertake strategic and proactive initiatives to promote community health and wellness;
   
   
4. Respond to the needs of community organizations and government agencies that address health and wellness issues; and,
   
   
5. Facilitate community residents having timely, accurate and relevant information that is pertinent to health and wellness.
   

VISION

The Foundation intends to create conditions where community residents are able to achieve their optimal health and wellness potential; best practices are widely embraced; the county is a model for effective strategic partnerships across community institutions; and there is a tangible and vibrant sense of community for all residents.

¹The Foundation's view of health is consistent with that of the World Health Organization (WHO): "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." The WHO further stipulates that characteristics of a healthy community include: "a safe and clean physical environment; provision for basic needs; an optimum level of appropriate, high-quality and accessible health care; high-quality educational opportunities; and a diverse and vital economy."

We define wellness as a state of optimum health and well-being, achieved through the active pursuit of good health and the removal of barriers to healthy living, both personal and community wide. Wellness pertains to the ability of people -  and Howard County's diverse communities - to reach their fullest potential in the broadest sense.