August 4, 2022

$1 million committed to support organizations addressing social and racial justice

Sixteen community organizations advancing social and racial equity in the states Point32Health serves will receive grants from the Foundation. The nonprofits were chosen for their work amplifying diverse voices, eliminating systemic barriers and advocating for stronger communities. This commitment builds on previous grants awarded to address social and racial justice.

The Foundation also has expanded Point32Health’s match program to engage colleagues in supporting community efforts that are inclusive and equitable. The program offers colleagues a two-for-one match for financial donations to organizations working to advance racial justice and eliminate systemic barriers to access.

Reporting back on community priorities 

The Foundation and its board are going through a strategic planning process that importantly includes community feedback. Since February, Health Resources in Action (HRiA) has gathered input for the Foundation through listening sessions, key informant interviews, and focus groups across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Thank you to everyone who has participated.

HRiA is presenting findings in a webinar on Wednesday, August 24 from 1-2 p.m. After the webinar, they will issue a survey for additional input to prioritize the findings. That survey will be open from August 24th through September 5th.

Survey results will inform the Point32Health Foundation team as they prepare recommendations for the board. Please join us for the webinar, and if you are not able to attend, we ask that you consider completing the survey to make sure we hear your voice. 

Listening to community will continue throughout this process. You’re welcome to email our Community Investment team or schedule a meeting during open office hours.

Central Massachusetts joins age-friendly network

Age-Friendly Central Mass. is an initiative ensuring all residents can maintain active, healthy, safe, and connected lifestyles as they age in Central Massachusetts. The newest member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, the effort includes more than 40 communities in the region.

Led by the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission and supported by the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative, Age-Friendly Central Mass. joins other regional efforts in the state. Altogether, 94 Massachusetts towns and cities have been designated as Age-Friendly by AARP or the World Health Organization and an additional 148 are working to make their  communities great places to grow up and grow old.

If you live in Central Massachusetts and want to inform this work, share your thoughts by taking the Community Age-Friendly Needs Assessment Survey.

Dementia-friendly movement continues to grow

In recent weeks, an additional 10 Massachusetts communities signed the Dementia Friendly Massachusetts pledge. We want to celebrate and congratulate Arlington, Aquinnah, Boston, Chillmark, Dudley, Edgartown, Monson, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury and West Tisbury.

Communities that take the pledge commit to advocating for dementia awareness and providing services, programs and public spaces that support people with dementia and their caregivers. There are now 86 cities and towns actively working to make their communities more welcoming to those living with dementia.

Improved access to comprehensive crisis services and supports

Many community organizations are reporting that 

the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation, financial stress, and ongoing racial and social injustices are exacerbating mental health challenges.

The new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was established to help. This national network of state and local crisis centers is providing free and confidential emotional support from trained crisis counselors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across the country. The Veterans Crisis Line can also be accessed using this new number. 

People can call 988, text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for help or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

Employee volunteers read 404 books with Boston students

Point32Health volunteers were an important part of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley's Study Hall program to help students improve their reading skills.

Throughout the 2021-2022 school year, 18 volunteers worked with eight second-grade students from the Donald McKay Elementary School in Boston. Each week, volunteers spent 30 minutes reading with students in pairs. Students selected books based on their reading level, and volunteers answered questions, clarified pronunciation and helped students analyze what they read.

This virtual support made a difference. As one of the teachers shared, "The students really loved reading with the volunteers, and looked forward to it all week! The program improved students' self-esteem and reading fluency while also providing them with extra one-on-one adult attention."

Rising to the Occasion

Like many organizations, the Norwell Council on Aging has seen an increase in people experiencing food insecurity because of the pandemic. At the same time, there has been a significant decrease in volunteers able to help distribute the nutritious weekday meals provided by South Shore Elder Services through its Meals on Wheels program.

When Beth Noterman, senior manager of pharmacy compliance at Point32Health, saw the Council’s call for volunteers, she rose to the occasion. Once a week Beth delivered meals, which included reviewing special meal requests and taking the time to get to know her clients. During any given week, Beth and her husband delivered six to 12 meals in about two hours.

“Even though volunteers are not trained professionals and only deliver meals, we are the Council’s eyes and ears,” said Beth. “We can let the Council know if something doesn’t seem right because we might be the client’s only contact during the day or even the week.”

Delivering meals and occasionally sharing a brief, physically distanced conversation provides a community connection for the meal recipients and a welcome break from the workday for Beth. It also has opened her eyes to the need in her community, where requests for Meals on Wheels and demand for food pantry items have skyrocketed.

“If I can help others out, I want to," said Beth. "It’s easy to do and it’s in my own community. It makes me feel good knowing that I’m helping older people continue to live independently.”

In case you missed it: Corporate Citizenship Report

• Corporate Citizenship Report: Creating a Shared Future

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