Fallon Health awards grants to 10 community-based organizations in Massachusetts

Worcester, Mass., Feb 6, 2019 — Fallon Health, a mission-focused, community-based not-for-profit health care services organization, today announced $10,000 grants to each of 10 community-based organizations addressing health care barriers in underserved communities from Lowell to Worcester to the Berkshires.

The grants were provided through Fallon Health’s Community Benefits Grants Program. As a Massachusetts’ non-profit Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Fallon Health commits to provide support to address unmet health needs and improve the health of disadvantaged populations through its grant program. Grant recipients were selected based on their ability to achieve positive health outcomes in two critical focus areas: senior health initiatives that support older adults living independently or provide access to care, behavioral health resources, or food and utilities; and health initiatives supporting wrap-around services and resources for children and youth.

Organizations selected for their senior health initiatives:

  • Genesis Club House for its Worcester County Older Adults Committee, which visits inactive older members and those isolated in their homes due to physical or mental health issues, with the goal of reducing isolation and loneliness
  • Merrimack Valley Food Bank for its Mobile Pantry Program, a home grocery delivery service helping elderly and disabled Greater Lowell residents.
  • Quaboag Valley Community Development Corp. to expand its senior transportation services in the Quaboag Region to include North Brookfield, MA.
  • St. Paul’s Elder Outreach to reduce falls among Worcester’s older adults by promoting healthy behaviors related to fall prevention.
  • Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires to assist seniors with social determinants of health, including food security, assistance with heating costs and weatherization, housing and other factors.

Organizations selected for their child and youth health initiatives:

  • Berkshire Health Systems’ Operation Better Start for its Berkshire Healthy Students Program to increase knowledge of healthy eating, physical activity and parent/community engagement.
  • Boys & Girls Club of Worcester for its Family Support Program, which provides counseling for children and families, referrals, service plans and case management.
  • Girls Inc. of Lowell to provide community-based enrichment and educational activities for girls in grades K-12.
  • Girls Inc. of Worcester for its After School and Summer Camp Program to serve the “whole girl” in safe, gender-specific environments.
  • The SHINE Initiative for its Swatting the Stigma of Mental Illness Program, which combats and de-stigmatizes mental health conditions in children, teens and young adults.

“Making our communities healthy is Fallon’s mission, and we value the power of community partnerships in addressing interrelated health care barriers,” said Richard Burke, President and CEO of Fallon Health. “We’ve seen first-hand the difference our grant recipients are making across the state, and we’re gratified to be able to help them expand their reach and advance our shared mission of improving the health and well-being of our community.”

Through its Community Benefits Grants Program, Fallon Health has distributed more than $1.4 million to local organizations with initiatives that address health care barriers.

In addition to its Community Benefits Grants Program, Fallon Health offers robust community support through monthly mini-grants, annual hunger relief funding, corporate sponsorships, in-kind donations, wellness programs and volunteer opportunities for employees.

Melissa Cordial
508-368-9616

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 rated among the nation’s top health plans by the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO , Medicare Advantage and Medicaid products.