Watertown Community Foundation Awards $19K in Health Grants
The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) has awarded “Healthy Watertown” grants totaling $19,000 to nine nonprofit organizations serving Watertown.
“WCF received well over $40,000 in applications this fall, but our budget was limited to $19,000. Therefore, we were unable to fund some deserving requests. Nevertheless, we are excited to be able to contribute to several excellent health-related programs going on in the community,” said Michael Schade, WCF Executive Director.
The WCF Board of Directors awarded “Healthy Watertown” grants funded by Tufts Health Plan Foundation as follows:
Helen Robinson Wright Charitable Fund of the First Parish of Watertown: $3,000 grant to assist Watertown residents in desperate financial need, often due to health-related issues. The Helen Robinson Wright Fund helps families and individuals facing imminent crises such as critically needed medical assistance, lack of food, rental payments, heating/fuel costs and/or utility shut-offs.
Lowell Elementary School: $2,500 grant to install an organic vegetable garden at this local public school to be used as a hands-on garden classroom for pre-kindergarten to 5th grade. A goal is to develop an integrated, age-appropriate curriculum that links food to culture, health and the environment.
Sancta Maria’s Windsor House Adult Day Health: $2,500 grant to help fund care for Watertown residents. The program helps elders and adults with disabilities continue to thrive and live a high-quality life in their community and in their own homes by providing comprehensive 6-8.5 hour day programs five days per week. Windsor House’s holistic care includes nursing services, social services, nutrition education, assistance with toileting as well as engaging activities offered at levels appropriate to the needs and abilities of each person.
Taxiarchae/Archangels Greek Orthodox Church’s Parish Nurse Ministry: $800 grant to help fund a community-wide health program, “Issues of Aging.” The program will feature a panel of experts focusing on Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, managing difficult situations, home care, short and long-term planning, caregiver support, adult day programs and services available in the Watertown community.
Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment: $2,000 grant to engage an artist with experience in public art and community collaboration to design a mural on an existing wall along the Community Path. This endeavor will engage children and adults in the art project’s execution as part of the town’s effort to promote more physical activity and healthy living.
Watertown Community Gardens: $1,000 grant to help establish a network of home gardeners that will foster a robust sense of community using gardening as a focal point. Home gardeners will be invited to meet with Community Garden members and will be provided with opportunities for learning, sharing, socializing and promoting a healthy environment via environmental stewardship.
Watertown Police Department’s Jail Diversion Program: $1,700 grant to help train the police on symptoms of mental illness and substance use/abuse, de-escalation techniques, common psychiatric medications and their usage, compulsive hoarding and other topics that will help officers better respond to individuals with behavioral health issues whom they encounter on the job.
Watertown Village Planning Group: $500 grant to help this new organization develop its business plan. Watertown Village’s goal is to enable local residents age 50+ to support one another so they can live in Watertown as long as they are able with good quality of life, comfort and peace of mind. Keeping people in their own homes makes them happier, healthier, and more involved in their community and less dependent on government funding.
Watertown Youth Coalition, Watertown Public Schools and World in Watertown: $5,000 grant to raise awareness and educate Watertown High and Middle School students, faculty and parents about healthy decision-making, substance abuse, bullying and suicide prevention as well as to promote respect for the diversity of Watertown youth.
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The Watertown Community Foundation has awarded over $350,000 in grants in its short existence. It works to build and sustain a vibrant, close-knit community in Watertown – now, and for future generations. To accomplish this, WCF raises funds from people and partner institutions, awards grants to non-profits and community projects, and builds networks of donors, grantees, program participants and stakeholders.
WCF and its grantees are consistent leaders in efforts to:
- Advance education and health,
- Support the most vulnerable,
- Protect the environment,
- Foster community engagement and leadership.
WCF’s Board of Directors: Andrew Bundy, President; William B. Ford, Treasurer; Pia Owens and Thea Sahr, Vice-Presidents; Marian Grogan; Rob Kelly; Teresa Leonard; Roberta Miller; Doreen Munger-Dawson; Susan Musinsky; Lora Sabin; Robert Shay; Ken Sheytanian; David Siegel; Stephen M. Winnick.
Persons interested in supporting WCF, or for more information on this announcement, please contact: Michael Schade, Executive Director, at 617-926-1500, or mschade@watertownfoundation.org.
