Albert Schweitzer Fellowship - $25,000
Grant to support the Boston Schweitzer Fellows Program, one of seven such programs in the U.S. The Fellows Program supports students in medical and other health professions engaged in community service projects that promote health and improve access to health care for underserved populations. The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship was founded in 1940 to help Dr. Schweitzer's hospital in Africa after the outbreak of World War II. Since 1991, The Boston Schweitzer Fellows Program has provided more than 200 Boston and Worcester area students with the opportunity to conduct local projects. The Massachusetts Medical Society has supported the Fellowship since 1998.
Cambridge College - $10,000
Grant to train interpreters who work with specialized health care providers and to train specialized providers to work with interpreters more effectively. The college's 10-month medical interpreters program has been cited as one of the most effective in the nation. Founded in 1971 to serve working adults, Cambridge College became an independent institution in 1981 and today provides cost-effective higher education for a diverse population of working adults in Cambridge, Springfield, and some 20 other sites across the state.
Cape Cod Free Clinic - $26,400
Grant awarded to create culturally competent medical and case management services for the uninsured Brazilian population on Cape Cod. One of the goals of the clinic is to improve patient health by removing cultural barriers that may hinder their compliance with recommended medical care. The Cape Cod Free Clinic is a nonprofit, independent clinic whose mission is to provide free medical services, including laboratory work and medications, to the uninsured and underinsured residents of Cape Cod. The services are provided through a volunteer corps of some 45 primary care physicians, 35 registered nurses, nine mental health counselors, and more than 20 administrative support persons.
The Center for Human Development - $10,000
Grant to increase staff capacity and strengthen parents' skills and enhance child development work with the families living in the shelter, Jessie's House.
Duffy Health Center - $20,000
Grant to help fill the need to provide primary health care and treat everyone who comes to the door regardless of the ability to pay. The Duffy Health Center's mission is to provide primary health care and social services to the homeless, temporarily homeless, and medically underserved and at-risk populations on Cape Cod.
Food Bank of Western Massachusetts - $10,000
Grant to support the Youth Against Hunger Program, which involves students (K-12) in student-led community service projects and is enhanced by interdisciplinary studies of hunger as a local and global issue.
Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals, Inc. - $5,000
Grant to create a fund for covering the emergency health needs of the homeless who seek shelter at the Interfaith Community Homeless Shelter.
Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Worcester - $20,000
Grant to provide for a community outreach coordinator, who will be responsible for establishing a stronger coalition for childhood injury prevention. The University of Massachusetts Medical School, through the coalition, plans to expand its childhood injury prevention program over the next five years by adding programs on playtime safety, mentoring, home safety, playground safety, and bicycle and car safety.
Island of Hope - $10,000
Grant to help teenagers with cancer. Based in Natick and founded by former Massachusetts First Lady Kitty Dukakis, Island of Hope is a year-round, family-oriented program that empowers children, parents, and families to co-exist better with cancer. The funding will allow ten families to attend a summer session of outdoor activities, group initiatives, and relationship building.
Jane Doe, Inc. - $35,000
Grant awarded as partial funding for three health care initiatives: the Sexual Assault and HIV/Counselor Training Project; Statewide Healthcare Awareness, Response, Resource, and Education on Domestic Violence Project; and Healthcare Capacity Building. Based in Boston, Jane Doe has more than 60 member programs throughout the state. This is the second annual grant to Jane Doe, Inc. from the Foundation; last year the agency received $25,000 for the same initiatives. The funds are in addition to a continuing, decade-long Campaign Against Domestic Violence by the Society and the Alliance, which includes published materials and workshops for physicians and health care workers in how to recognize and treat victims of abuse.
MainSpring Coalition for the Homeless - $13,200
Grant to enhance the "Work Inn" program; which provides employment, counseling, and adult educational services to working homeless adults while they are in shelter.
Medical Foundation in Boston - $7,000
Grant to support the Ounce of Prevention Conference, whose 2003 edition is entitled Building Healthier Communities for All: the Journey to Equity. Now in its 10th year, the Conference brings together people from across the state to share technology, attend workshops, and increase health promotion and disease prevention efforts.
Rape Crisis Services of Greater Lowell - $17,800
Grant to support the Prevention Education Department, including the Child Assault Prevention Project and Teen Awareness Program. The agency's mission focuses on the healing and empowerment of survivors of rape and sexual assault through counseling, advocacy, and education.
Support Committee for Battered Women in Waltham - $20,000
Grant to fund the agency's 24-hour hotline and volunteer program. The agency, established in 1981 as a local hotline, is a private, nonprofit organization serving the needs of victims of domestic violence with education and direct services. It assists more than 2,700 families each year in 27 communities west of Boston.
