With our first of two grant cycle awards, we were thrilled to invest $60,000 in five MetroWest nonprofit organizations to improve the health and quality of life in our community. The grant recipients MetroWest Free Medical Program, Camp Casco, Domestic Violence Network, Dignity Matters and Open Table have high-impact programs and innovative plans for the funds.
- A grant was awarded to MetroWest Free Medical Program to guarantee access to healthcare by providing uninsured and underinsured individuals an entry point into the healthcare system by accepting all walk-in patients without turning anyone away. During the COVID-19 pandemic this includes telehealth care. In 2019, MWFMP provided medical care to approximately 1,300 individuals through nearly 1,900, patients’ visits during 70 evening sessions at their Sudbury and Framingham clinics.
- A grant was awarded to Camp Casco to offer two incredible free camp experiences for kids who have been diagnosed with cancer: a day camp for ages 5-10, and a week-long overnight camp for ages 7-17. In addition, Camp Casco hosts socials throughout the year to keep the “camp feeling” going. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Camp Caso will be providing Camp@Heart this summer, a virtual camp experience for childhood cancer patients, survivors, and siblings until it is safe for campers to be together in person. Additional family support will also be provided to help families juggle the emotional and financial struggles realized by a childhood cancer diagnoses.
- A grant was awarded to the Domestic Violence Network for a pilot program to provide tailored one-on-one education for its most high-risk clients. The goal is to help develop the most-needed skills and understanding of services available to: 1) increase financial literacy, 2) provide a better understanding of legal options specific to them and their children, and 3) build or augment job seeking skills.
- A grant was awarded to Dignity Matters, a nonprofit that collects, purchases, and distributes free menstrual products, bras, and underwear to local women and girls in need to help them stay healthy, regain self-confidence, continue working and attend school. This grant will assist Dignity Matters to provide more support to existing food pantry and shelter partners, to add additional food pantries and shelters to their programming, and to add two economically disadvantaged high schools in MetroWest to their programming.
- A grant was awarded to Open Table to support their essential services provided to thirteen MetroWest communities including a food pantry (in-pantry and drive-through), meal preparation, senior services, and mobile food programs. The increase in demand for those who are food insecure in our community has risen exponentially and Open Table is seeking to serve this demand.
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