Grantee stories

RI Food Policy Council receives federal grant to support farmers

The Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) was awarded $738,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Food and Agriculture Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant supports RIFPC as they lead state and regional partners to provide customized education, mentoring, and networking services to more than 100 Rhode Island farmers. 

Generosity of local chefs benefits those experiencing hunger

Gather works with chefs and food distributors to provide nutritious food to those experiencing hunger on the Seacoast of N.H. Using the kitchen at Great Bay Community College, the Cooking 4 Community program rescues food waste from local restaurants and provides over 5,000 fully prepared meals per month to the community. Their work was recently featured in City Lifestyle

Using yoga as a tool for self-healing in crisis

Mandela Yoga Project offers a scalable system of peer-led yoga as a tool for self-healing in communities experiencing racism and other systemic barriers. Their goal is to make this unique yoga practice available to people of color through public and private insurance so that it may be practiced where they live, work, worship and play. Point32Health Foundation supports this work.  Photo courtesy of Mandela Yoga Project.

Full Plates Full Potential receives $50 million federal grant to bring local ingredients to schools

Full Plates Full Potential, a Maine nonprofit that advocates for ending childhood hunger, was one of four organizations nationwide awarded a grant as part of USDA’s $50 million Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative. This funding makes it possible for schools to significantly increase the local ingredients used in school meals and ensures school nutrition workers have the skills and equipment needed to incorporate these ingredients into meals.

Policy wins in N.H. point to more resources for older adults

More than 300 grassroots advocates trained by the N.H. Alliance for Healthy Aging in collaboration with New Futures and N.H. Legal Assistance won a series of victories during the state’s 2023 legislative session. Their policy recommendations led to historic investments in New Hampshire’s long-term care system, including a comprehensive and coordinated state-wide system of care for healthy aging. A new Foundation grant to New Futures, announced in December 2023, will support the coalition’s efforts to implement the policy win. 

OUTstandingLIFE creates community

OUTstandingLIFE is a new virtual platform designed for and by older LGBTQ+ people and allies. Funded by Point32Health Foundation, it offers online programming, resources and opportunities for connection—including Feel Good Fridays, intergenerational social events, plus legal and history programs.

The platform launched just in time for Pride Month in June 2023. New programs and resources will be added to the platform in the coming months. Photo courtesy of OUTstandingLIFE.

Connecticut Age Well Collaborative hosts Sharing and Caring Summit

The 2023 Wellspring Award winners Age-Friendly Glastonbury, Thrive55+ Active Living Center, Dementia-Friendly Southington and Central Connecticut State University were honored at an event hosted by Connecticut Age Well Collaborative, which is funded by Point32Health Foundation. The Wellspring Awards honor ideas and innovations that increase aging, dementia and disability inclusivity in Connecticut.

Read Honoring Community Excellence: Examples of Innovation and Inspiration to learn more. Photo courtesy of Connecticut Age Well Collaborative.

MCD Global Health coordinates response to urgent need

A behavioral health teletherapy program is changing the way students access behavioral health services in rural Washington County, Maine. A collaborative effort coordinated by Hallowell-based MCD Global Health (MCD) and funded in part by Point32Health Foundation now gives students and staff at Woodland Elementary and Woodland Junior-Senior High School in Baileyville, Maine, and across the county’s AOS 90 school district, access to virtual behavioral health services and other needed resources. Photo courtesy of MCD Global.

Northern New Hampshire Mobile Health Clinic hits the road

The New Hampshire Medical Society and North Country Health Consortium launched the Northern New Hampshire Mobile Health Clinic along with four partner hospitals: Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin, Littleton Regional Healthcare in Littleton, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook, and Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster. A custom van designed for clinical services will be available at locations across northern New Hampshire with the goal of improving health equity in Coos and Grafton counties. A Point32Health Foundation grant helped launch the mobile clinic.

Legislators learn how communities support healthy aging

The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative (MHAC), a statewide network advancing inclusive age- and dementia friendly communities funded by Point32Health Foundation. MAHC held for legislators and staff at the Massachusetts State House in March 2023. State Senator Patricia D. Jehlen and State Representative Thomas M. Stanley – co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs – hosted the event, which included an update on the age- and dementia friendly movement. Commissioner Emily Shea, who leads the City of Boston’s AgeStrong, presented alongside representatives from AARP Massachusetts, 2Life Communities, Mass. Coalition for the Homeless and Mass. Public Health Association.

Learn more about mobile farmers' markets

Hear from Mill City Grows in Lowell, Massachusetts and the Regional Environmental Council in Worcester, Massachusetts about how mobile farmers’ markets bring healthy, affordable food options to underserved communities.

Older Adult Behavioral Health Network reflects on impactful first year

After the COVID-19 pandemic drew attention to the risks associated with untreated behavioral health conditions among older adults, the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (MAMH) launched the Older Adult Behavioral Health Network. Rooted in the grassroots advocacy of the Massachusetts Aging and Mental Health Coalition, the network works to improve the lives of older adults and support community living through advocacy, workforce development, and public education. Read about what they’ve accomplished in their first year.

Racial disparities too familiar to native communities

What Wabanaki Public Health did to be sure Indigenous communities in Maine had information to make informed decisions about getting vaccinated, and had access to COVID-19 vaccines. Photo courtesy of Wabanaki Public Health.

Creating a culture of inclusion

How did Springfield, Mass., become the first city in the nation to apply for and receive three age-friendly designations? Three words: Time. Tenacity. And collaboration. Photo courtesy of Live Well Springfield.

Building economic security

The Massachusetts Senior Action Council celebrated a signature legislative victory: Governor Baker’s 2020 budget eases health care costs for 40,000 older people with low incomes. Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Senior Action Council.

Bridging generation gaps

Isolation can take its toll on older people—even affecting our health. In Central Falls, R.I., an intergenerational program works to change all that. Photo courtesy of LISC.