The Foundation today announced the awardees of the Fallon/OrNda Community Health Fund. The purpose of the fund is to advance projects that increase access to healthcare or health promotion services that address the social determinants of health. Those organizations receiving funds this year are:

  • Boys & Girls Club of Worcester for YouthReach, a targeted youth outreach program which provides a mix of programs and services delivered to the organization's most vulnerable youth.
  • Community Harvest Project, Inc. for its patient produce distributions, allowing for the distribution of fresh produce to organizations that operate health programs for food insecure individuals.
  • Community Health Connections for improving access for patients with restricted mobility, with purchase of barrier-free exam tables for health center sites.
  • Dismas House of Central Massachusetts for its clinical support services, in order to expand and maintain in-house clinical support services.
  • Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center for support of Tacoma Street Dental Practice, in order to purchase dental equipment to expand practice and deliver higher level of service to low-income clients.
  • Family Health Center of Worcester for its Healthcare for Homeless Families program, providing crisis intervention and stabilization services for homeless families.
  • Genesis Club for its Outreach Program to Psychiatric Hospital Patients, a pilot project to engage with patients prior to release about organization's programs and services.
  • Girls, Inc. of Worcester for promoting healthy lifestyles through a mix of programs to improve the health of vulnerable girls in Worcester.
  • HOPE Coalition for its Mental Health Model, aiming to embed health counselors in youth-serving agency programs across Worcester.
  • Pathways for Change for medical accompaniment, aiming to offer immediate counseling services for sexual assault victims who pursue medical services at area hospitals.
  • Pernet Family Health Service for enhancing maternal and child well-being through home visits, providing in-home coaching and support visits for poor and socially-isolated pregnant women and young mothers.
  • Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts for its sexual health education programming, offering peer-to-peer programs and bilingual parent sex education.
  • Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts for its Healthcare Access Program, aimed to support Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees navigate insurance and health care systems.
  • The CASA Project for its Mental Health Services for Vulnerable Children Collaboration, a collaborative effort to address systemic barriers serving the mental health needs of children in foster care.
  • Worcester Youth Center Inc. for health and wellness programming expansion, with focus on nutrition, exercise, and peer-to-peer health education.
  • YMCA of Central Massachusetts for SPLASH: Swim & Play, Aquatic Safety & Health, a learn to swim water safety program for economically disadvantaged and minority youth in Worcester.