Baystate Wing Hospital has announced an investment of $42,000 in grants to benefit local community-based nonprofit organizations.
“As part of our continued commitment to address social determinants of health and reduce health disparities in our region we are proud to partner with area community agencies who know and understand the unique needs and challenges of our community and can help us create local solutions,” said Michael Moran, president and chief administrative officer for Baystate Health’s eastern region, which includes Baystate Mary Lane Outpatient Center and Baystate Wing Hospital.
Programs supported by the hospital’s grant investments include:
Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation - Quaboag Connector Transportation Initiative: $30,000
The $30,000 grant to the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation (QVCDC) will support this transportation service that is addressing the serious lack of transportation to employment, education, healthcare, work force training, shopping and benefit services within and outside the region. The service, which launched in January 2017, now provides close to 900 rides monthly, a result in part of the $120,000 Baystate Wing Hospital and the Baystate Mary Lane Medical staff has invested in local transportation over the past three years.
The Quaboag Connector has four vans that operate Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 7:00 pm. The service continues to study ways to meet the needs of people facing transportation issues in the Quaboag Hills Region. The QVCDC has Massachusetts Community Investment Tax Credits available that will offset the cost of the award by $15,000. Sheila Cuddy, QVCDC executive director, said, “QVCDC is very grateful for Baystate Wing’s contribution towards this vital transportation service. Their continued strong support demonstrates their commitment to making investments in the community that help residents lead healthier, fuller and more self-sufficient lives.”
Ware Public School Fire Science Class: $3200
Students in the Ware High School Fire Science Program, led by Ware Fire Department Acting Chief Edward Wloch, received a grant to help them enroll in an EMT-B (emergency medical training) course at the Holyoke Community College Education to Employment (E2E) campus in Ware.
A Financial Literacy Program (a collaboration with Country Bank) will help those same high school students plan and save for the EMT-B course. The Baystate Wing grant is a matching grant that will cover half the cost of the course and text books, with the students investing the balance. “Through the generosity of Baystate Wing Hospital, it will afford students in the Fire Science Program a unique opportunity,” said Dr. Marlene DiLeo, superintendent of Ware Public Schools. “This is the second year that Baystate Wing, Holyoke Community College E2E Satellite Facility, Country Bank, Acting Fire Chief Ed Wloch and Ware High are working together to benefit the future of our students and it truly speaks to a community effort in filling a critical need for EMTs throughout the region.”
Jubilee Diaper Ministry: $5000
Many families don't have the clean diapers they need. Not only are diapers important for a baby's health, they're also needed to access daycare and other programs. Without a supply of clean diapers, parents may not be able to take their babies to daycare programs (that often require a week's supply) – which means they might miss work or school. The Jubilee Diaper Ministry's grant will help address this need.
The Jubilee Diaper Ministry distributes diapers to families that are struggling financially and face the challenge of the cost of diapers.In addition to providing families with diapers, the Jubilee Diaper Ministry offers “Keeping Baby Safe” classes including infant CPR and other infant health safety training, “healthy eating” classes, and certified babysitters classes (fall 2019), at no cost to local families. “This generous support from Baystate Wing Hospital will help to purchase diapers for families in need, and will enable our diaper program to offer exceptional educational programs, that would cost $30 - $75 dollars per person in many cities, completely free to families in our community,”said Edie Kirk, director of the Jubilee Diaper Ministry. “We are deeply grateful to the Baystate Wing for this support."
Top Floor Learning: $2000
The grant awarded to Top Floor Learning will support their mission to provide adult literacy and education services for people living in the Pioneer Valley and the Quaboag Hills Region. Top Floor Learning staff and volunteers help with basic reading, writing and math tutoring. The funds will also help further their work to offer high school and college tutoring, high school equivalency preparation, and basic skills development for the workplace and job search assistance.
“Top Floor Learning thanks Baystate Wing Hospital for this generous grant. Their continued support of local community organizations like ours demonstrates their commitment to quality health care and community outreach. The grant will provide our team the needed resources to help adult learners,” said Gail Carneiro, Director of Adult Literacy/Operations Officer for Top Floor Learning in Palmer.
“Our physicians, nurses, and staff all strive to influence the health of the people we serve through exceptional care and innovative health initiatives,” said Moran. “Baystate Wing Hospital is proud to partner with area agencies to improve the health of the communities we serve not only in medical settings but where they live, learn and work too.”
The Baystate Wing Board of Directors considers community health improvement grant requests annually in November. Learn more about
Baystate Health’s Community Health Needs Assessment and funding opportunities.