Latest Round of Grants Sets New Mark for Single Round of Giving by Foundation
Worcester, Mass., October 15, 2013 – The Reliant Medical Group Foundation’s latest round of grants has reached a new high after awarding $100,000 to 15 Central Massachusetts organizations. The grants allow the Foundation to connect the generosity of the community to sustainable efforts that target childhood obesity, increase access to care and comfort for Reliant patients, and encourage healthy living for all.
“Heading into this year, we strove to make a greater impact on community health and wellness,” said Kelsa Zereski, director of philanthropy at Reliant Medical Group, in reference to the Foundation’s goal of increasing its giving by 25 percent in 2013. “We are extremely proud to have reached this granting milestone, but we could not have done it without the overwhelming support and generosity of our donors.”
The grants are offered to non-profit organizations within Reliant Medical Group’s service area to help improve the health and well-being of individuals of all ages in Central Massachusetts.
“Part of our newly enhanced vision is to deliver a meaningful grant-making program for the benefit of area charities and the people they serve,” adds Zereski. “With our increased giving to local nonprofits, especially those focused on battling childhood obesity, the Reliant Foundation is making that vision a reality.
The following organizations received a grant in this latest round of giving:
- Boys & Girls Club of Lunenberg – Triple Play program to improve the overall physical and emotional health of 6th-10th graders.
- Boys & Girls Club of Worcester – Healthy Habits program that provides health and fitness opportunities to disadvantaged youth, ages 8-18.
- Community Harvest Project – Nutrition Education Initiative which provides programming for students in grades 4-6 who are at risk of hunger.
- Family Health Center – Elm Park Family Nutrition Program teaches at-risk families of the Elm Park Community School about healthy family eating.
- Genesis Club – Health and Wellness Initiative and Tobacco Cessation Initiative offer club members exercise, walking groups and wellness dinners and tobacco cessation products.
- Girls Inc. of Worcester – Fit Girls and the Swim & Gym programs which aim to reduce pediatric obesity by offering regular aerobic exercise and nutrition education classes.
- Lutheran Social Services – New Lands Farm Program is a refugee agriculture initiative designed to engage newly arriving families in gardening and farming for healthy eating and a potentially modest income.
- Nativity School of Worcester – expansion of Healthy Living Initiative which promotes healthy living and battles obesity through education and innovative programs at the school.
- Our Father’s House – wellness programs and shelter for homeless woman with substance abuse issues.
- Rainbow Child Development Center – Imagimotion Kidz is a physical fitness and nutrition program for at-risk children from low-income families.
- Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services – You Go Girl and Way to Go Guys, which are health-related programs for 5th and 6th graders.
- Worcester Youth Center – Snacking for a Healthier Life program serves healthy daily snacks for at-risk youth between the ages of 14-24.
- YMCA of Central Massachusetts – Collaboration between Reliant pediatricians/staff and YMCA sites which helps families to improve health and fitness using the “Let’s Go 5210” program model.
- YOU, Inc. – Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation program provides support and education to pre-school aged children to help reduce school expulsions as the result of aggressive, dangerous and disruptive behavior.
The Foundation also provided a $10,000 grant to Reliant Medical Group for the continued support of a transportation program for low-income elderly patients in need of transportation to primary care or specialist appointments at Reliant.
Reliant Medical Group Foundation supports Reliant Medical Group patient needs through targeted funding in service to education, comfort, and access to care. Additionally, the Foundation supports public and community health in Central Massachusetts through funding education and intervention programs.
The next deadline to apply for community grants is February 3, 2014. Guidelines and information on how to apply can be found here.
About Reliant Medical Group Foundation
Established in 1988 as a public charity, Reliant Medical Group Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals of all ages in Central Massachusetts. As the charitable arm of Reliant Medical Group, the Foundation offers grants to non-profit organizations within Reliant’s service area that deliver programs to battle the obesity epidemic, create access to healthcare for underserved populations, and support “Innovations in Healthy Living”, such as early literacy. The Foundation also supports Reliant’s patient needs by delivering targeted funding in service to education, comfort and access to care.
