Supporting initiatives to advance healthier communities and equity in aging

July 18, 2004

Canton, MA — Point32Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Point32Health and its family of companies, including Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Tufts Health Plan and Care Partners of Connecticut, today announced 31 grants totaling nearly $3 million to nonprofit organizations in the region that support equity in aging.

“Our goal is clear—we want to close equity gaps and eliminate health disparities,” said Greg Shell, chair of the Point32Health Foundation board of directors and partner at Goldman Sachs. “By supporting nonprofits that are building inclusive communities and offering opportunities and supports for people of all ages and abilities, we move closer to that vision.”

The new funding supports collaborations, initiatives and advocacy efforts focused on changing inequitable systems.

“These organizations are increasing social connection, improving community approaches to mental health and making healthy, culturally relevant food accessible—while creating communities that promote equitable aging,” said Nora Moreno Cargie, president of Point32Health Foundation and vice president for corporate citizenship at Point32Health. “They are collaborative and committed to making communities work better for everyone.”

The new grants go to:

Connecticut ($165,000)

CitySeed (New Haven)
$20,000 | One year
Engage community to create an equitable local food system that promotes economic growth, community development and sustainable agriculture. Support food business incubator to help farmers and entrepreneurs create value-added food products.

Groundwork Bridgeport (Bridgeport)
$45,000 | One year
Support community leadership to improve environmental and social conditions in Bridgeport through greening the urban landscape; creating community gardens; leading public education on environmental stewardship; and supporting civic engagement.

NAMI Connecticut (Statewide)
$100,000 | One year
Improve the lives of people in Connecticut affected by mental illness by changing public attitudes, reducing stigma, and offering support, education and advocacy programs at the state and local level with special focus on urban areas.

Maine ($410,000)

Cumberland County Food Security Council (Cumberland County)
$45,000 | One year
Expand Halal School Meals Network model to make culturally affirming food available in Portland, South Portland and Westbrook public schools. Harvest, package and transport gleaned produce from farm to community agencies through Cumberland County Gleaning Initiative.

Friends of the Veterans’ Memorial Library (Piscataquis County)
$25,000 | One year
Engage older adults and strengthen regional partnerships and collaborations to shape new regional library and community center in rural Piscataquis County; focus on digital literacy, telehealth access, social connection and economic opportunity.

Healthy Peninsula (Blue Hill Peninsula)
$100,000 | Three years
Enhance and coordinate Bridging Neighbors initiative, using volunteers to provide orientation, navigation, advocacy and social connection to older adults for improved access to and awareness of resources that support well-being.

Legal Services for the Elderly (Statewide)
$90,000 | Three years
In collaboration with elder services network, advocate for public policies in support of older adults who experience systemic barriers.

Maine Women’s Lobby Education Fund (Statewide)
$150,000 | Three years
Implement Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave policy, strengthen partnerships and advance advocacy around care work and care infrastructure. Increase community engagement, public education and strategic communication through the leadership of Maine Paid Leave Coalition.

Massachusetts ($1,580,000)

Digger Foods (Brockton)
$40,000 | One year
Increase access to affordable, locally grown produce and support operations of mobile farmer’s markets in Brockton.

Food Bank of Western Massachusetts$50,000 | One year
Support general operations, to include advocacy, staff salaries, food assistance navigation, purchase and distribution of culturally sensitive food.

Greater Boston Food Bank
$50,000 | One year
Support emergency food response efforts across Eastern Massachusetts.

LifePath (Franklin County and North Quabbin region)
$190,000 | Three years
In partnership with Franklin Regional Council of Governments and resident-led working groups, implement Age- and Dementia-Friendly Franklin County and North Quabbin initiative across 30 towns.

Livable Streets Transportation Alliance of Boston, Inc. (Boston)
$50,000 | One year
Organize coalition partners and community members, including older people and people with disabilities, to advocate for fare-free bus program and bus lane enforcement to improve transit safety and equity.

Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (Statewide)
$150,000 | Two years
Increase capacity of Older Adult Behavioral Health Network (OABHN) to advance policy and advocacy, strengthen workforce development initiatives, and implement Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist (COAPS) services through Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) across the Commonwealth.

Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Statewide)
$300,000 | Three years
Collaborate with regional coalitions, digital equity networks, and leaders of age- and dementia-friendly initiatives in Boston, Framingham, New Bedford, Springfield and Worcester to promote and implement best practices within housing and health sectors for engaging older adults with blindness or low vision.

Mill City Grows (Lowell)
$90,000 | Three years
Create a more equitable regional food system through community-led advocacy to improve access to culturally connected foods; push food distributors and access sites to accept food benefits; and provide matching resources through Healthy Incentives Program.

Pinnacle Partnerships (Brockton)
$50,000 | One year
Expand training and support for Psychological Enhanced Response Liaisons (PERLs), coaches with lived experience who help families and caregivers navigate complex mental health issues and access systems of support.

Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (Springfield)
$400,000 | Three years
Collaboration to assess and implement strategies for intergenerational social connection and improved mental health. This work is in partnership with Live Well Springfield Age-Friendly Initiative, the Youth Mental Health Roadmap for Western Mass. and the Youth Mental Health Coalition.

Roots Rising (Pittsfield)
$40,000 | One year
Invest in youth leadership to build community, to increase food justice initiatives and to make local produce available to all.

Urban Farming Institute (Mattapan and Dorchester)
$120,000 | Three years
Develop a healthy local food system with Boston’s communities of color by increasing access to affordable, fresh food; farming and cooking education; and opportunities for older adults to find connection and belonging.

Worcester County Food Bank (Worcester County)
$50,000 | One year
Support general operations, including staff salaries, volunteer management, emergency food purchase and distribution. Lead Central Massachusetts Center on Food Equity to eradicate hunger through policy change, community engagement and collective action.

New Hampshire ($410,000)

Advocates Building Lasting Equality in NH (ABLE NH) (Statewide)
$75,000 | Three years
Promote self-advocacy through full participation of adults with disabilities in improving systems of support; advocating for education, employment, healthcare and civic engagement rights; connecting families; and influencing public policy.

Centro Latino de New Hampshire (Statewide)
$60,000 | Two years
Through community-centered services, education, culture and arts programming, build a self-sufficient, healthy and civically engaged Latine community in New Hampshire.

Meals on Wheels Hillsborough County (Hillsborough County)
$90,000 | Two years
Pilot and scale Dine Out Club, a restaurant dining initiative to address hunger and social isolation among older adults in New Hampshire; findings will inform Meals on Wheels nationally.

New Hampshire Democracy Fund (Statewide)
$45,000 | One year
Protect voting rights and fair elections, increase civic participation, and build local leadership capacity in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Food Bank (Statewide)
$50,000 | One year
Create intervention and navigation tools to screen for food insecurity and connect healthcare patients with local emergency food resources, fresh produce, and federal and state benefits.

Partnership for Public Health (Statewide)
$90,000 | Two years
Strengthen WellnessLink, a statewide and centralized public health hub, so older adults, caregivers and families have the information and resources needed to build connections and age well.

Rhode Island ($360,000)

Crossroads Rhode Island (Statewide)
$50,000 | One year
Advance Housing First model to ensure timely, stable housing placements and provide supportive services, including case management, education and employment services.

Rhode Island Community Food Bank (Statewide)
$50,000 | One year
Support for emergency food response and food justice efforts across the state. Funds general operations, including staff salaries, volunteer management, food purchase and distribution.

Rhode Island Food Policy Council (Statewide)
$200,000 | Three years
Increase nutrition security by growing and strengthening council network; advocating for policies to increase access to affordable, healthy, culturally relevant food; and support a sustainable and climate-resilient food system.

Southside Community Land Trust (Greater Providence)
$60,000 | Two years
Create a more equitable and sustainable local food economy through community-led programming, mentorship and technical assistance to small farm businesses. Also supports advocacy for policies that affect urban farmers.

About Point32Health Foundation
Building on values of service and giving, Point32Health Foundation works with communities to support, advocate and advance healthier lives for everyone. Point32Health Foundation is the result of the combination of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation and Tufts Health Plan Foundation and advances equity-focused solutions in healthy aging, access to healthy food and behavioral health in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Beginning in 2025, our focus will be equity in aging. Follow us on Facebook.

Alrie McNiff Daniels

Director, Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

she/her/hers

1 Wellness Way | Canton, MA 02021

direct line (781) 612-2080 | cell (617) 301-2715

Working with communities to support, advocate and advance healthier lives for everyone.

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