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.
● The CASA Project as part of a collaborative effort to address systemic barriers for children in foster care, particularly in mental health services.
● Catholic Charities Worcester County for provision of diapers and baby items for emergency services programs.
● Children's Friend, An Affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation for its Gender Wellness Initiative, aimed at providing LGBTQ outpatient counseling services, family supports, and community trainings.
● Dismas House of Central Massachusetts to support in-house culturally appropriate counseling services.
● Family Health Center of Worcester for its Healthcare for Homeless Families program, providing crisis intervention and stabilization services for homeless families.
● 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, providing continued support for embedded health counselors at youth-serving agency programs across Worcester.
● Living in Freedom Together (LIFT) for service expansion at drop-in center for victims of sexual exploitation.
● Net of Compassion for support for street outreach and general operations of year-round homeless services.
● Pathways for Change for support of immediate counseling services for sexual assault victims who pursue medical services at area hospitals.
● Pernet Family Health Service for 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.
● St. Anne's Free Medical Program for a radiology pilot program that will expand services at free clinic.
● 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.