Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals Announce Community-Based Grants

Five local organizations to receive funds to implement programs addressing community health needs 

Beverly, MA - January 9, 2015 - Continuing its tradition of giving back to the communities it serves, today Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals announced the distribution of $40,000 in grants to local community-based organizations.  These grants will allow the organizations to develop, expand or implement cutting-edge health care programming, education and training across Cape Ann and the North Shore.  The grant recipients include:

Action, Inc., Gloucester ($10,000): Funding will support Action, Inc.'s Shelter Counselor in the Healing to Housing Program, which helps homeless and previously homeless men and women secure and retain safe, affordable, sustainable housing situations through services, support, and resources that address underlying barriers such as mental health issues and substance abuse. The Counselor works to spread awareness and educate homeless and very low-income individuals, as well as those working with these populations locally, around topics related to mental health and substance abuse, including preventative measures, risk factors, and available resources. The Counselor collaborates closely with a broad network of partners to address behavioral health issues and connect individuals with the care they need.

Backyard Growers (BYG), Gloucester, MA ($10,000): Funding will help BYG increase student exposure to healthy food choices by implementing a new school garden program and curriculum for 6th graders, and the produce will be integrated into the school cafeteria. It will also allow BYG to expose all of Gloucester's elementary students to the experience of growing vegetables and eating fresh food from their school gardens and provide fun, in-depth gardening and healthy eating activities.

Greater Beverly YMCA, Beverly, MA ($10,000):The Y will implement LIVESTRONG programming to cancer survivors and their families throughout the greater Beverly area. The program offers a supportive, healthful environment for community members who have survived or are dealing with cancer. LIVESTRONG will help those affected by cancer by helping survivors recover physically, emotionally and socially.

Beverly Council on Aging, Beverly, MA ($6,000): BCA will use the funds for a "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren" support group. This will provide grandparents both peer and social support raising their grandchildren. Additionally, the support group will provide families information about resources, benefits, and laws that are available to support their family in order for them to be successful.

North Shore Health Project ($4,000): Funds will go towards increasing the role of the organization's Outreach and Education Specialist. The specialist ensures that Cape Ann residents are aware of the North Shore Health Project's services, which helps those with HIV and Hepatitis C get the health care they need.

"Both Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospital take great pride in their willingness to listen, assess and act upon the demonstrated health care needs of the communities we serve," said Gerald MacKillop, director of community relations for Lahey Health.  "Through our regular community health needs assessment and grants like these; we continue to support local organizations as they implement thoughtful, strategic programs that will improve the health and well-being of our local communities."

About Lahey Health

Lahey Health is what's next in healthcare, providing a full continuum of integrated health services close to where you live or work. It is comprised of nationally recognized, award-winning hospitals-including an academic hospital and medical center, and community hospitals-primary care providers, specialist physicians, behavioral health services, post-acute programs such as home health services, skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, and senior care resources located throughout northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.

Lahey Health offers nearly 1,000 locally based physicians providing clinical excellence and an exceptional patient experience in adult and pediatric primary care and every medical specialty, including kidney and liver transplantation; neurosurgery, cancer, cardiovascular and orthopedic medical and surgical care; local emergency and trauma care; urological surgery; chronic disease prevention and health management; and pediatric emergency, newborn and inpatient care provided in collaboration with Boston Children's Hospital physicians.

Lahey Health includes Lahey Hospital & Medical Center-a teaching hospital of Tufts University School of Medicine-and Lahey Clinic physician group with practices in Burlington, Peabody and other locations throughout northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire; Beverly Hospital; Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester, Mass.; Winchester Hospital; Lahey Health Senior Care and Lahey Health Behavioral Services as well as more than 30 primary care physician practices and multiple outpatient and satellite specialty care facilities.

Together, we are making innovative, integrated healthcare more personal and more accessible. For more information, visit LaheyHealth.org and its member websites Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Beverly Hospital, Addison Gilbert Hospital, Winchester Hospital, Lahey Health Senior Care and Lahey Health Behavioral Services.