Celebrating Ten Years of Empowering Youth in South County | | |
Our Bright Future Executive Director Kwasi Acheampong and student speaker and program participant Sian.
(THFCM photo)
| | On October 3, Our Bright Future held a gala to celebrate ten years of impact, growth, and community. Founded in October 2016, Our Bright Future empowers youth and cultivates future leaders through Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), offering a wide range of programs that support both academic and personal development, including robotics, 3D printing and design, Cricut Club, bioscience, homework support, sports, social-emotional learning, and financial literacy. Currently serving nearly 600 students ages 3 to 18 across 14 communities in Central Massachusetts, Our Bright Future primarily supports underserved and underprivileged youth from diverse backgrounds by removing barriers to opportunity through accessible educational programming and workforce development initiatives. | | (L-R): Foundation Grants & Operations Manager Daniel Germain, Foundation Director of Programs Juli True Dooley, Kwasi Acheampong, and Foundation President and CEO Dr. Amie Shei. (Our Bright Future photo) | | At the gala, The Health Foundation was recognized for its 2026 Activation Fund grant for a fire sprinkler system at Our Bright Future’s new Southbridge Innovation Hub. | | |
The new Hub will serve as a centralized youth development and educational center, expanding the organization’s capacity to serve up to 1,000 students annually.
In recognition of this partnership, Our Bright Future named its event hall “The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts Event Hall,” creating a lasting tribute to the Foundation’s commitment to the organization and its mission. The hall will serve as a gathering space within the Hub, supporting fundraisers, special events, student showcases, educational programs, workshops, community gatherings, and other activities.
The event hall will also help Our Bright Future expand its community engagement by providing a welcoming space where families, organizations, businesses, and residents can connect, collaborate, and come together.
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Grantee Partner Hosts Upcoming Forum on
Youth Behavioral Health
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One of The Health Foundation’s current Synergy Initiative grant partners, The Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise at Clark University, is hosting a conversation on the behavioral health needs of youth and families on Thursday, October 8. The team at The Mossakowski Institute has partnered with the Southbridge Public Schools on Southbridge CARES, a school-based behavioral health initiative, since 2024. Southbridge CARES leverages state-of-the-art technology including a Sensory Immersion Room in the school setting to address students’ behavioral health needs through a multi-tiered system of supports.
This event will feature American Psychological Association CEO Dr. Arthur Evans Jr. and Walker Therapeutic and Educational Programs CEO and former Massachusetts Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. In his keynote address, Dr. Evans will discuss artificial intelligence and youth mental health from a global perspective, including its potential benefits, emerging risks, and the role of psychological science in guiding responsible use. Following the keynote, Dr. Evans and Dr. Tutwiler will explore the implications of technology and behavioral health innovations for education, public policy, mental health practice, prevention, early intervention, and the wellbeing of young people and families.
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Behavioral Health Needs of Youth and Families:
Utilizing Technology and Global Learnings
Thursday, October 8, 2026, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Traina Center for the Arts
Clark University
92 Downing Street
Worcester, MA 01610
| |  | | Applications Open for Rural Health Transformation Program | |
Applications are now open for the Massachusetts Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Rural Partner – Request for Applications (RFA). Through this procurement, eligible entities can apply for a range of supports across RHTP activity areas. RHTP is a five-year federal investment designed to strengthen and transform rural health care across Massachusetts.
Applications are due Monday, October 26 at 5:00 p.m.
Eligibility varies by activity area, and the RFA provides definitions of eligible entities. The application materials and contact information for any questions are available here.
The RFA is also available through GrantWell, a free, AI-enabled grant assistant that helps municipalities and nonprofit organizations identify relevant state, federal, and philanthropic grant opportunities.
In September, The Health Foundation hosted a virtual information session on GrantWell, including a live demonstration of the tool. To request a recording, please contact the Foundation.
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Grantee Partner Leads Food Is Medicine Movement to
Improve Health and Reduce Costs
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As the field of Food Is Medicine continues to demonstrate its potential to improve health and reduce health care costs, The Health Foundation is proud to support Community Servings’ continued expansion, research, and advocacy through its Round 6 Synergy Initiative medically tailored groceries project focused on individuals with depression in Central Massachusetts. This work is helping advance our understanding of how medically tailored nutrition interventions can better meet people’s needs and strengthen the evidence for sustainable, effective Food Is Medicine programs.
Community Servings’ leadership in the field is garnering national attention, including recent coverage in Nature Medicine that was featured by NPR. This recognition comes at an important moment as Massachusetts considers the next chapter of its MassHealth 1115 demonstration.
| SHOW YOUR SUPPORT: Those who want to help ensure that medically tailored meals and groceries remain part of the conversation can submit comments by following the directions found on the MassHealth website. Submit comments to MassHealth by Monday, October 19 at 5:00 p.m. (include “Comments on the Demonstration Extension Request” in the subject line). | In addition, the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University will host the 4th Annual Food is Medicine National Summit on Wednesday, October 28 in partnership with leaders from the AMPL Institute, the research division of Community Servings. The event will be livestreamed and open to all. | Input Requested for Upcoming Event | With recent and upcoming changes to MassHealth and SNAP due to OB3, The Health Foundation is planning a community event later this year to connect local organizations with timely information, resources, and tools so they can help impacted individuals navigate this challenging time. This event will be held in partnership with Health Care For All, Health Law Advocates, and Project Bread. We want to make sure the event reflects what our community needs most, so please take our brief survey to share what you’d like to see, hear, and learn at the event. | Event Highlights Importance of Civic Engagement to Health | (L-R): CW Beacon Gateway Cities reporter Hallie Claflin, Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporation Program Director for Health Equity Elana Brochin, Partners in Democracy President and CEO Jerren Chang, and The Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester Executive Director Casey Burns. (THFCM photo) | |
On October 6, CommonWealth Beacon (CW Beacon), in partnership with The Health Foundation, hosted a panel discussion titled “Voting Like Your Life Depends on It: The Connection Between Civic Participation and Wellbeing.” The discussion explored the relationship between civic engagement, voting, and health in Central Massachusetts.
The discussion was moderated by CW Beacon Gateway Cities reporter Hallie Claflin and included The Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester Executive Director Casey Burns, who is also a member of The Health Foundation's Community Outreach Committee, and Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporation Program Director for Health Equity Elana Brochin, and Partners in Democracy President and CEO Jerren Chang.
Panelists discussed health equity, community development, civic participation, and the ways stronger civic engagement may contribute to healthier, more connected communities.
For eligible voters who reside in Massachusetts, the last day to register to vote for the November 3 general election is October 24. Click here for information on how to register.
| Latest on Private Wells Advocacy | |
The Health Foundation's President and CEO Dr. Amie Shei and RCAP Solutions Director of Development Jenna Day were recent guests on Tap Talk, the Drinking Water in Rural America Podcast, to share updates about the Private Well Program to Protect Public Health, a Round 5 Synergy Initiative project. The Health Foundation has invested over $2 million in this project, which has taken a multi-faceted approach including private well sampling, homeowner surveys, statewide polling, communications, and advocacy.
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For private well owners, water quality is as much an issue as quantity
In a recent letter to the editor in the Boston Globe (pay wall), RCAP Solutions President and CEO Brain Scales emphasized that Massachusetts must address both the quantity and quality of water, particularly for residents who rely on private wells. He calls for broader water planning that considers increasing drought, climate change, water availability, and drinking-water safety.
| Nonprofit and Community Resources | | |
The following resources may be of interest to our nonprofit partners and community members.
Reliant Foundation
Reliant Foundation is accepting proposals for its Community Grants. Programs focusing on substance use disorder (primarily the opioid epidemic), mental health/behavioral health services for children and youth, and programs and initiatives that reduce stigma around these issues will be given top priority. Proposals are due by Friday, October 9, 2026 at noon.
Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)
The FY 27 Community Transit Grant Program, Operating and Mobility Management grant cycle is now open. These grants provide funding to operate transportation or promote mobility management to expand mobility for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income people. Applications are due by Friday, October 30, 2026.
Greater Worcester Community Foundation (GWCF)
GWCF is offering new grant opportunities that are accepting applications.
• Facing Change: Nonprofit Effectiveness Grants: Rolling until Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
• The Youth for Community Improvement program is currently accepting applications from high school students interested in engaging in civic leadership. Applications are now open with a rolling deadline.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)
The Community Health Equity Survey collects data on how social, economic, and environmental factors impact the health and wellbeing of Massachusetts residents. DPH created the survey after working with community members and partners throughout the state as part of the Community Health Equity Initiative (CHEI). Survey questions ask about the experiences and needs of Massachusetts residents. The results will be combined with CHEI Community Health Equity Qualitative (CHEQ) data to help DPH and local communities address health-related conditions. The survey is available in 11 languages, easy to take, and anonymous.
| | The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts is dedicated to improving the health of those who live or work in Central Massachusetts, with particular emphasis on vulnerable populations and unmet needs. Through its unique and impactful approach to grantmaking, The Health Foundation supports community-identified health issues, with health defined broadly to include social determinants of health and with a focus on promoting health equity. As a health conversion foundation launched in 1999 following the sale of the not-for-profit HMO Central Massachusetts Health Care, Inc., The Health Foundation’s grants have totaled over $64 million to more than 250 unique organizations over its history. For more information, visit www.thfcm.org. | | © 2026 The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts | | | | |
