Emerson Hospital Announces 2021 Community Benefit Grant Recipients

Emerson Hospital is pleased to announce the recipients of its second annual Community Benefit Grant Program, based on a comprehensive application and review process. Nineteen non-profit organizations throughout the health system’s communities were awarded up to $5,000 to improve community health. The recipients are focused on improving the mental and physical health of at-risk adolescents, older adults, those living with cancer, facing domestic violence, and other community health priorities.

“These organizations are working hard to improve the health of their communities through impactful programs and education,” said Christine Gallery, senior vice president of planning at Emerson Hospital. “A vital part of Emerson’s mission is to serve the health needs of everyone in the region. We are pleased to partner with local organizations that are intrinsic to our mission and are making a deeply positive impact on people’s lives.”

The following organizations received a Community Benefit Grant from Emerson Hospital:

• Acton Boxborough United Way for programs to address mental health, support early childhood success, improve town culture around diversity, equity and inclusion, and strengthen the financial stability of low-income households. (Acton)
• Boys and Girls Club of MetroWest to provide Back to the SMART Moves, an emotional wellness program focused on building resiliency and social emotional skills in youth. (Hudson)
• Center for Parents and Teachers to support at-risk youth by enhancing mental health. Educational sessions for parents, guardians, and educators will be offered to increase skills that address youth mental health and risky behaviors. (Concord)
• Clear Path for Veterans New England to provide Aging Wellfully: A Happy and Healthy Path to Veteran Wellbeing, an evidenced-based program guiding older veterans to develop healthy habits. (Devens)
• Concord Carlisle High School to train staff in mental health first aid — designed to support those helping adolescents who experience a mental health/addiction challenge or crisis. (Concord)
• Concord Prison Outreach to create a mentoring curriculum for the Young Father’s unit at MCI Concord. The curriculum will focus on parenting, job readiness, and socioemotional support. (Concord)
• Discovery Museum to enhance Especially for Me programming where children with disabilities can experience the museum through free membership. (Acton)
• First Connections to offer multilingual parent groups incorporating racially diverse books, and create a parent guide to talk with children about race. (Acton)
• Gaining Ground to provide seniors with fresh produce for hunger relief and health. (Concord)
• Habitat for Humanity North Central MA to provide critical home repairs for seniors to remain living safely in their homes. (Acton)
• Hudson Health Department to provide high school students with Emotional CPR (Connecting, emPowering and Revitalizing) training that teaches people how to assist and support others experiencing emotional crisis. (Hudson)
• Littleton Community Farms to increase the availability of fresh vegetables in response to COVID-19. (Littleton)
• Minute Man Arc to implement a spirituality and compassionate care program for older adults with disabilities, in partnership with the West Concord Union Church. The program will address isolation and mental health needs. (Concord)
• Minuteman Senior Services to enhance its volunteer program to meet the needs of older adults in the communities it serves. (Bedford)
• RJ Grey Junior High School to incorporate a garden into the school curriculum specifically for ELE (English Language Education) students and those with emotional challenges. The garden will provide fresh produce to the community through its existing food bank. (Acton)
• ThinkGive, Inc. to expand social emotional learning curriculum in local schools. (Concord)
• Turning Life On to develop programs for middle and high schools and communities working toward digital wellness. (Concord)
• Virginia Thurston Healing Garden to implement LiveWell for Cancer Survivorship, a program that educates and improves the well-being of cancer patients. (Harvard)

Please visit www.emersonhospital.org/cba for more information and to join the mailing list to learn about the next Emerson Hospital Community Benefit Grant application cycle.