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Health Foundation Invests $3.3 million in New Grants to Area Organizations
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – The MetroWest Health Foundation recently announced the award of over $3.3 million in grants to area health and human service organizations. These grants will support a variety of community projects aimed at improving the health of the region. This represents one of the largest rounds of funding in the foundation’s history.
Martin Cohen, the foundation’s president, attributed the size and scope of funding to the organization’s new strategic plan which puts an emphasis on basic needs, health equity and on solutions that help build resilient and healthy communities.
To maintain and strengthen critical health safety-net services in the region, the foundation has awarded $2.6 million in 3-year Basic Health Needs Operating Grants. These grants will be allocated across these services and organizations:
Primary Medical Care
Edward M. Kennedy Health Center $525,000
MetroWest Free Medical program $150,000
Oral Health Care
Edward M. Kennedy Health Center $150,000
Behavioral Health
Advocates, Inc. $225,000
Wayside Youth & Family $225,000
SMOC $225,000
Prescription Assistance
Natick VNA - MetroWest Meds $450,000
Homelessness
SMOC $225,000
Support Services
MetroWest Legal Services Medical-Legal Partnership $225,000
Latino Health Insurance Enrollment Program $150,000
Health Care for All - Insurance Enrollment $ 75,000
An additional $743,000 is being granted in response to proposals received under the foundation’s recent request for proposals. Organizations receiving grants are:
BayPath Elder Services, Inc. $35,905
To improve services for LGBTQ older adults.
Franklin Council on Aging $11,712
To make Franklin a Dementia-Friendly community.
Health Care for All $26,500
To improve access to care among immigrant families.
Hopedale Public Schools $210,000
To implement a reentry program to support students returning to school from hospitalizations.
Hopkinton Health Department $18,682
To reduce e-cigarette use among youth.
Jeff’s Place $18,000
To offer parenting workshops for families dealing with grief.
Marlborough Public Schools $132,349
To implement a reentry program to support students returning to school from hospitalizations.
Massachusetts Association for the Blind $15,000
To improve mental health services for blind and visually impaired residents.
Massachusetts Association for the Blind $20,000
To provide technology training and access to enhance independence among older adults.
MetroWest Legal Services, Inc. $137,071
To support legal services for immigrant youth.
MetroWest Worker Center $20,000
To provide medical accompaniment to immigrant workers injured on the job.
Milford Council on Aging $12,000
To provide comprehensive exercise and wellness programs for older adults.
Natick Service Council, Inc. $20,000
Capacity building – equipment.
Spark Kindness, Inc. $31,222
To provide parent education services.
Walker, Inc. $13,000
Translation of treatment materials.
William James College $22,356
To develop best practices for addressing systemic obstacles to a diverse and culturally responsive mental health workforce.
About the MetroWest Health Foundation:
The MetroWest Health Foundation is a catalyst for a healthy MetroWest, providing $5 million in annual financial support for preventative and responsive health programs. The foundation seeks to develop and support programs that have a positive impact on the health of the 25 communities in the MetroWest area of Massachusetts. To date, the foundation has provided more than $56 million in financial support that helps residents and their families lead healthier lives.
For more information about the foundation, visit www.mwhealth.org.
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