Tufts Health Plan Foundation Awards More Than $100K to MetroWest Nonprofits

The Tufts Health Plan Foundation announced today more than $1.6 million in new funding to 34 Massachusetts and Rhode Island-based organizations as part of its first cycle of funding for 2013.

Included in the Cycle 1 2013 grants are the following MetroWest nonprofits:  

Framingham-based Latino Health Insurance Program received $43,802 for the first year of a two-year grant totaling $87,604 for its Mi Vida, Mi Salud (My Life, My Health) program. The Latino Health Insurance Program will support 150 Latino older adults in improving their physical health, engaging in more active living and improving nutrition. The program will offer eight sessions of Mi Vida, Mi Salud, the Spanish version of Stanford’s Chronic Disease Self-Management class, and will incorporate essential elements of Hispanic/Latino culture in its programming to address the needs of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking older adults coping with chronic conditions. The program will also provide transportation and assist older adults in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment.

Samaritans Inc. received a $15,000 grant to fund its Wellness Approach to Senior Suicide Prevention (Outbound Call Project). This project provides ongoing support for socially isolated older adults who are at risk for poor mental health outcomes. Samaritans will use a core group of six older adult volunteers to make 650 calls to 25 older adults in 14 Metrowest communities.

Wayland-based Golden Tones Inc. received $5,000 for its Golden Tones Chorus Musical Outreach Program. The Golden Tones chorus brings more than 50 lively concerts per year to disadvantaged and underserved audiences in the Boston MetroWest area, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Golden Tones concerts present well-rehearsed choral music, enhanced by solos, ensemble pieces, humorous skits, fun costumes and lively dancing. Wherever the chorus performs, the singers aim to break down stereotypes by providing strong role models of successful aging, while enhancing the health and well-being of everyone involved.

The Tufts Health Plan Foundation awarded the largest number of grants this cycle in its Health & Wellness program area, primarily for initiatives that promote chronic disease self-management and prevention, exercise and nutrition, and fall prevention. The foundation also awarded more than 25 percent of its grants in the area of Purposeful Engagement, which includes community involvement, volunteerism and intergenerational programs as well as caregiver support programs. In addition, two state-wide Empowerment programs in Massachusetts received funding for campaigns targeted at educating older adults about taking control of their health.

“Health and wellness programs are critical to healthy aging, but so are programs that change people’s lives through social and purposeful engagement,” said David Abelman, president of the Tufts Health Plan Foundation. “We’re proud to partner with a diverse group of nonprofit organizations that recognize how important health education, social connections, physical activity and community service are to improving the overall health and well-being of a growing population of older adults.”

For a full list of Cycle 1 2013 grant recipients, please visit: http://www.tuftshealthplanfoundation.org/pdf/2013_Grants.pdf

About the Tufts Health Plan Foundation

Tufts Health Plan launched the Tufts Health Plan Foundation in 2008 with the mission to promote healthy lifestyles and the delivery of quality care in our communities. With a focus on healthy aging, the foundation has given approximately $10 million to Massachusetts and Rhode Island nonprofits that elevate the physical, mental and emotional well-being of older adults and their caregivers. Through grants in three areas – health & wellness, purposeful engagement and empowerment – the foundation seeks to fund programs that will help adults age 60 or older improve and maintain their health, manage their chronic diseases, prevent falls, engage in their communities, find encore careers and volunteer opportunities, and access programs and services. Visit www.tuftshealthplanfoundation.org or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.