Watertown Community Foundation Hands Out $15,000 in Health Grants

The following release was sent out by the Watertown Community Foundation:

Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) has awarded “A Healthy Watertown” grants totaling $15,000 to nonprofit organizations serving Watertown.

“WCF received requests totaling $25,000; therefore, we were not able to fund them all. However, we are excited about the wonderful health-related programs going on in the community,” said Michael Schade, WCF Executive Director.

The WCF Board of Directors awarded “A Healthy Watertown” grants funded by Tufts Health Plan Foundation as follows:

Watertown Police Department and the Advocates, Inc. – Jail Diversion Program: $5,000 – Funding designed to divert Watertown residents with mental illness, addiction, and behavioral issues from the criminal justice system to the behavioral health system for appropriate treatment and case management.

Watertown Community Education: Kids Kitchen Club: $2,500 – Funding to decrease youth obesity and foster a lifelong healthy lifestyle among students enrolled in the Cunniff, Hosmer and Lowell Extended Day Programs through the implementation of a variety of physical activity opportunities and nutrition education curricula.

Watertown Health Department: Watertown Walks: $2,500 – Update and expand the current Watertown Walking Map and develop a Watertown Walks website.

Perkins School for the Blind: After School Physical Fitness Program: $2,000 – After school program designed to enhance the physical fitness of students by offering multiple avenues for enjoyable exercise.

Cunniff School PTO: "A Healthy Cunniff": $1,500 – After school/before school wellness and fitness program for the Cunniff community.

St. Patrick's: St Vincent de Paul Food Pantry Program: $1,000 – Funding to continue the food pantry program for Watertown residents.

Charles River Watershed Assoc.: Charles River Recreation Notification Program: $500 – Use of color-coded flags to notify the public about water quality conditions in the Charles River to encourage recreation when the river is safe and protect public health when the river is impaired.

The Watertown Community Foundation 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.

In its short existence, WCF has awarded over $250,000 in grants. Persons interested in supporting WCF should contact Michael Schade, Executive Director.

WCF Board of Directors: Andrew Bundy, President; William B. Ford, Treasurer; Roberta Miller and Robert P. Shay, Vice-Presidents; Brett Dean; Marian Grogan; Teresa Leonard; Doreen Munger-Dawson; Susan Musinsky; Pia Owens; Lora Sabin; Thea Sahr; Ken Sheytanian; Stephen M. Winnick; Raymond H. Young.

For more information about this announcement, please contact: Michael Schade, Executive Director, at 617-926-1500, or mschade@watertownfoundation.org.

For more information, please visit http://www.watertownfoundation.org/.