June 01, 2023
The MetroWest Health Foundation today announced the award of over $671,000 in grants to nineteen area organizations. Funds will be used to support a variety of initiatives including efforts to prevent and address homelessness; strengthen the emotional health of girls; and helping agencies build their organizational capacity to address important health related issues such as food insecurity.
The foundation provided a grant to SPARK Kindness, a Natick-based organization that is working to develop a regional effort to address identity-based bullying. This grant comes on the heels of recent negative incidents that target an individual’s race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.
Organizations receiving grants under the foundation’s spring grant cycle are:
Amazing Things Arts Center Inc. $125,000
To support the Voices of the Community project.
Ashland Health Department $20,000
To vaccinate school age children in the region.
Bethany Health Care Center $20,000
To improve resident clinical care while addressing staffing challenges.
Education Development Center, Inc. $50,000
To identify innovative strategies for schools to promote digital wellness and improved mental health among girls.
Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, Inc. $20,000
To support staff training for outreach and insurance enrollment services.
Family Promise MetroWest $75,000
To support homelessness prevention and shelter diversion services
Franklin Food Pantry $20,000
To conduct a strategic planning process.
Hockomock Area YMCA $20,000
To provide Mental Health First Aid Training for staff.
Jewish Family Service of Metrowest $50,000
To pilot a pilot program that will connect older adults to housing.
MassBay Community College $4,840
Support for the development of an associate degree Program in behavioral health.
Medway Public Schools $18,631
To train staff to identify and refer students with mental health issues.
MetroWest Legal Services $50,000
To provide legal representation to tenants facing eviction.
Needham Public Schools $10,000
To launch a youth led/adult guided Wellness Club to teach healthy decision-making.
Norfolk Public Schools $60,000
To develop and deliver psychoeducational groups aimed at strengthening the overall mental health of girls.
Project Just Because $14,653
To purchase refrigeration units for perishable pantry foods.
RIA, Inc. $27,340
To support survivor recovery, self-sufficiency, well-being, and long-term economic empowerment.
South Middlesex Opportunity Council, Inc. $49,984
To support a Day Center for vulnerable unhoused populations.
SPARK Kindness, Inc. $26,022
To develop an Identity Based Anti-Bullying program.
Town of Franklin $10,000
To purchase food lockers to maximize choice of food and de-stigmatize hunger relief.