Fallon Health awards grants to support 10 community-based organizations in Massachusetts
Worcester, Mass., Feb. 8, 2018 — Fallon Health, a mission-focused, community-based not-for-profit health care services organization, announced today its continued commitment to addressing health care barriers in underserved communities by distributing grants to organizations throughout Massachusetts.
The following 10 organizations received Community Benefits Grants totaling $100,000 in 2017 based on their ability to achieve positive health outcomes in two critical focus areas:
1. Senior Health Initiatives that support older adults living safely in their homes and communities and providing access to care, behavioral health resources, food and utilities.
- Central MA Housing Alliance: A $10,000 grant for its Elder Home Repair Program to provide repair and ongoing maintenance services that are critical in addressing health and safety needs to promote independent living and quality of life for those served.
- Merrimack Valley Immigrant and Education Center: A $12,000 grant for its Elder Outreach Program to ensure that one of the area’s more vulnerable populations, aging immigrants, receives services they need.
- Northampton Survival Center: A $7,500 grant for the Hilltown Food Pantry, an emergency food pantry serving low- and moderate-income individuals, 16 percent of whom are seniors.
- Regional Environmental Council: A $10,500 grant for its Supporting Diverse Senior Community Gardens program in Worcester.
- St. Paul’s Elder Outreach: A $10,000 grant to strive to reduce falls among Worcester’s older adults and advancing their healthy behaviors as they apply to fall prevention.
2. Children and Youth Health Initiatives that support community-based programs or organizations that provide access to programs that wrap services and resources around children and youth.
- Appalachian Mountain Club (Lowell and Lawrence): A $10,000 grant to make the outdoors accessible to youth living in under-resourced communities.
- Berkshire Health Systems’ Operation Better Start (Boys & Girls Club of Pittsfield): A $10,000 grant for its Berkshire Healthy Students program to increase knowledge of healthy eating, physical activity and parent/community engagement.
- Boys & Girls Club of Worcester: A $10,000 grant for the Family Support program, providing counseling for children and families, referrals, service plans and case management.
- CASA Project (Worcester County): A $10,000 grant to address systemic issues to help children who are in foster care due to abuse and neglect overcome mental health barriers.
- Girls Inc. of Worcester: A $10,000 grant for its After School and Summer Camp program to serve the “whole girl” in safe, gender-specific environments.
“Building a healthy community involves many community partners working together to address health care barriers, such as food insecurity, access to care and safe housing,” said Richard Burke, President and CEO of Fallon Health. “Fallon has seen firsthand the positive impact many non-profits are making in underserved communities across the state, especially our grant recipients. They share our goal of improving the health and well-being of others—and we’re proud to help provide the additional resources to help them expand their reach.”
Through its Community Benefits Grants program, the company has distributed more than $1.3 million in the last 11 years to local organizations with initiatives that address health care barriers. Since Fallon launched the program, the number of grant requests has increased more than 400 percent.
In addition to its Community Benefits Grants program, Fallon offers robust community support, including monthly mini-grants, annual hunger relief funding, corporate sponsorships, in-kind donations, wellness programs and volunteer opportunities for employees.
For more information, visit fallonhealth.org/community.
Carrie Wattu
508-368-9345
About Fallon Health
Founded in 1977, Fallon Health is a leading health care services organization that supports the diverse and changing needs of those we serve. In addition to offering innovative health insurance solutions and a variety of Medicaid and Medicare products, we excel in creating unique health care programs and services that provide coordinated, integrated care for seniors and individuals with complex health needs. Fallon has consistently ranked among the nation’s top health plans, and is accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid products.