Health New England Awards $400,000 to 3 Local Non-profits
Posted on November 17, 2021
Awards bring Where Health Matters Grants to more than $1 million over four years
SPRINGFIELD, MA – (October 26, 2021)
Health New England (HNE) has awarded $400,000 in grants to help three non-profit organizations improve the health and well-being of vulnerable populations in Western Massachusetts.
The grants, made via Health New England’s Where Health Matters grant program, will allow Wellspring Cooperative, Girls on the Run of Western Massachusetts, and The Care Center to expand needed programs focusing on food, girls’ health, and supporting mothers seeking college educations.
“Health New England has a responsibility to help lift our communities, especially now with the Covid-19 pandemic bringing unprecedented challenges to those with fewer resources than most,” said Richard Swift, President and CEO of Health New England. “The recipients of this year’s Where Health Matters grants serve these populations in creative and effective ways and we are proud to support the work they do.”
The grants bring to more than $1million the total Health New England has invested in local non-profits over the four years of the Where Health Matters Awards.
The 2021 Where Health Matters grants will fund:
Wellspring Cooperative: GoFresh Mobile Farmers’ Market
This mobile farmers market aggregates fresh local produce and delivers it through “pop-up” markets at low-income housing sites, senior centers, health clinics, and community organizations. The three-year $150,000 grant will enable Wellspring to:
- double the number of people it provides access to fresh, healthy, local foods.
- enact a pilot program to expand the Go Fresh farmers market throughout winter (the current program operates from May to October) providing year-round access to health foods.
- partner with local health clinics to establish a food referral program that meets the needs of patients with chronic conditions through education and access to healthy foods.
- continue to support minority and immigrant farmers via the Wellspring Harvest greenhouse program in the Indian Orchard neighborhood.
The Care Center: Roqué House Program
The Care Center’s Roqué House Program provides stable housing for young parents – primarily women of color – working toward a college degree, and their children. The $150,000 three-year grant will fund an artist-in-residence and counselor for families who live in Roqué House.
Girls on the Run: Doubling the Number of Chapters
Girls on the Run (GOTR) of Western Massachusetts helps girls develop essential social, emotional, and physical skills to successfully navigate life experiences and prepares them physically and mentally to participate in a celebratory 5K run. The $100,000 two-year grant will enable GOTR to double the number of chapters of the popular program and expand into Holyoke and Chicopee.
Health New England’s Where Health Matters grant program, in its fourth year, has invested $1.2 million in nonprofits in Western and Central Massachusetts. Health New England also partners with each awardee via volunteering and advising to help them thrive.
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