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Nearly 500 participate in community forums
Thank you to everyone who joined the Point32Health Foundation community listening sessions with Health Resources in Action (HRiA). Your insights and perspectives help us better understand community issues and consider how we can support solutions.
HRiA is working on a report summarizing their findings. We will host a webinar later this year to share what we heard.
Our Community Investments team continues to hold regular office hours to stay connected to community organizations.
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$270,000 to three organizations to address disparities in access to healthy food
Point32Health Foundation has announced $270,000 in grants to three nonprofit organizations operating mobile farmers’ markets in the region. FEED Center in Bridgeport, Conn., Coastal Foodshed in New Bedford, Mass., and Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS) in Manchester, N.H. Each will receive $90,000 over 3 years.
These grants build on earlier support to the FEED Center and ORIS to launch their mobile markets, and Coastal Foodshed to take its pilot mobile farmers’ market to a full-scale program. All three mobile markets accept EBT/SNAP benefits and offer incentive programs improving access to fresh, local and healthy food for those experiencing economic uncertainty.
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Dementia-Friendly Massachusetts focus of Rutgers research
A team of researchers at Rutgers University has documented the experience of dementia-friendly communities in Massachusetts.
Unique in having a state-level network for municipal and regional initiatives, Dementia-Friendly Massachusetts is a member of the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative and works closely with those advancing age-friendly communities, affirming the work is better when done together.
The Rutgers researchers noted that there was no standard approach to the dementia-friendly work. Rather, each community sets a course responsive to their needs. Researchers also identified the value of collaboration, noting "each participant discussed ways in which organizations outside of their municipalities enhanced or informed their efforts."
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New leader for Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island
Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island is a diverse coalition mobilizing people to implement an agenda that improves the quality of life of older Rhode Islanders. Bernie Beaudreau is the new executive director, following the retirement of William Flynn.
Bernie brings 40+ years of leadership in hunger-relief organizations, nonprofit management and local anti-poverty agencies. He is excited to organize older adults for social change in R.I.
Under William Flynn's leadership, the Senior Agenda Coalition tackled significant issues across the state. The group advocated for: funding the No-Fare Bus Pass Program; increasing annual funding for Meals on Wheels; raising pay for home health care workers; increasing eligibility for the At Home Cost Share program; and improving staffing and higher pay for direct care providers in nursing homes.
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Robert Lewis, Jr. to lead Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston
Foundation Board Member Robert Lewis, Jr., is the new Nicholas President and CEO for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. Robert joins the organization after nine years as founder and president of The BASE.
During Robert's time at The BASE, the organization removed barriers to participation for underserved youth; addressed inequities; and introduced programs to positively impact mental health, food insecurity, and access to education. His work at The BASE has been a catalyst for similar programs focused on youth development across the country.
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New Reframing Aging video highlights inclusivity
Older adults are an integral part of our families, communities, and workplaces. The Reframing Aging Initiative has released a new video that highlights how inclusive language can produce big results.
The video describes how using more inclusive terms like "we" and "us" in place of "they" and "them" helps all of us to remember that we are all aging.
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Colleagues provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine | |
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More than 200 Point32Health colleagues have donated more than $36,000 to organizations offering support to the people of Ukraine. Donations made to eligible organizations by March 31 were eligible for a Foundation match, doubling their impact.
With the Foundation match, more than $72,000 will go to nonprofits responding to the crisis in Ukraine.
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Supporting organizations addressing food insecurity
COVID-19 has contributed to an increase in food insecurity and broadened disparities already facing communities of color.
In March, Point32Health colleagues contributed more than $8,000 in food, toiletries, diapers and other household essentials to nonprofits across the region. Goods donated will go to Canton Food Pantry, Connecticut Foodshare, Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program in Maine, New Hampshire Food Bank, Rhode Island Community Food Bank and Worcester County Food Bank.
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Celebrating colleague volunteerism
Last week, we honored Point32Health colleagues during the 2022 Community Spirit Awards.
Jay Dell Isola was named Volunteer of the Year for using his musical talents to raise money for the Jimmy Fund.
Health Plans Inc. was recognized as Team of the Year for their consistent support of organizations such as Veterans Inc. and the Jimmy Fund.
Dr. Claire Levesque was honored as Leader of the Year for her longstanding commitment to community organizations and for encouraging her team to volunteer at nonprofits like Community Servings.
Pictured below are Foundation President Nora Moreno Cargie; Beth Roberts, president, Commercial Business; Dr. Claire Levesque, vice president and chief medical officer for Commercial Business; and CEO Cain Hayes.
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A personal approach to Black History Month
Our colleague Henocson "Henny" Mulatre, Corporate Citizenship manager, had a unique approach to celebrating Black History Month. Each day, he wore a different sweatshirt to raise awareness and stimulate conversation.
"With the outward forms of affection and love exhibited during the month of February, it has been a pleasure to reflect on why I’m so proud to be Black," said Henny.
"Black History Month represents the appreciation and acknowledgment of Blackness and how it infuses all aspects of society."
We've shared a few highlights from Henny's wardrobe below.
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Point32Health Foundation In the news
Want to read more about grantee initiatives and Foundation activities?
Visit our newsroom
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Working with communities to support, advocate
and advance healthier lives for everyone.
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1 Wellness Way
Canton, MA 02021
781-612-1000
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