Fallon Community Health Plan announces 2009 Community Benefits Grant recipients

More than $100,000 given to community-based programs

Worcester, Mass., September 28, 2009 ― Fallon Community Health Plan today announced recipients of its 2009 Community Benefits Grants. FCHP awarded more than $100,000 in grants to support innovative, community-based programs that provide preventive health and social services for children in the first three years of life or for at-risk youth between the ages of 12 and 19.

Grants have been awarded to the following organizations:

  • Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Hampden County (Springfield): A grant of $4,750 to provide educational and recreational opportunities for at-risk and economically disadvantaged youth through one-on-one, community-based mentoring relationships.
  • Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence (Lawrence): A grant of $24,000 to support “The Healthy Living Club,” in the Lawrence, Lowell and Haverhill Boys & Girls Club. This program provides a comprehensive fitness and nutrition program to encourage girls between the ages of 9 and 18 to develop healthy lifestyles that will continue into adulthood.
  • Boys & Girls Club of North Central Massachusetts (Leominster): A grant of $15,000 to link 140 children and youth from Fitchburg to the services and programs at the Club located in Leominster.
  • Genesis Club, Inc. (Worcester): A grant of $15,000 to support the organization’s 2010 Wellness Project, which is designed to engage young adults with mental illness who are living in poverty in exercise, nutrition and tobacco cessation.
  • Rediscovery, Inc. (Waltham): A grant of $15,000 to enhance the clinical elements of Rediscovery’s Independent Living Program by providing strong clinical support to youth transitioning out of state custody and into the community.
  • Seven Hills Foundation (Worcester): A grant of $20,000 to support the mental health clinic at the Child Enrichment Center in Fitchburg, which will enable them to provide counseling and mental health services in the same facility where other services are received.
  • West Springfield Boys & Girls Club (West Springfield): A grant of $6,617 to provide the Triple Play program to 175 youth. Triple Play is a 10-week program that shows youth the value of good nutrition and physical activity.

Every year, Fallon Community Health Plan awards Community Benefits Grants to new or existing programs that serve the targeted populations in Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, northern Plymouth and Worcester counties.

“These organizations represent diverse geographic areas throughout Massachusetts and are dedicated to ensuring those they help have a safe and healthy environment to grow, learn and prosper,” said Kate McEvoy-Zdonczyk, Director of Community and Government Relations, FCHP. “We know that through the grants these chosen organizations will continue to make a difference in the lives they touch and in the communities they serve.”

Lauren M. Petit
lauren.petit@fchp.org

About Fallon Community Health Plan
Founded in 1977, Fallon Community Health Plan is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health care services organization. From traditional health insurance products available throughout Massachusetts for all populations, to innovative health care programs and services for independent seniors, FCHP supports the diverse and changing needs of all those it serves. FCHP has consistently ranked among the nation’s top health plans, and is the only health plan in Massachusetts to have been awarded “Excellent” Accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid products.