Grant Recipients

2023/2024 COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVES GRANTS

The GLHA is proud to announce the grant awards for the fall of 2023 to support programs and services to improve the overall health of the Greater Lowell community. Grants were awarded around the following health priorities and programs that meet the specific areas of focus identified by the GLHA’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) process:

• Alcohol & Substance Use Disorder
• Behavioral Health
• Health Equity
• Housing & The Built Environment
• Infectious Disease
• Maternal & Infant Health
• Safety & Violence
• Service Navigation
• Wellness & Chronic Disease

To qualify, all proposals needed to incorporate a plan to meet the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in health and health care to all individuals in order to reduce disparities and achieve health equity.

Chelmsford Health Department: Let’s Talk about Mental Health Initiative   –  $9,420

Funding will address mental health support groups for both adult and youth populations, as well as mental health and equip them with tools to cope, increase awareness, destigmatize mental health challenges, and provide a safe space for those struggling.

Coalition for a Better Acre: Let’s Talk Lowell Podcast (Up to date, Accessible Community News & More) – $22,870

The Let’s Talk Lowell Podcast will be the first of its kind in Lowell, guided and managed by an advisory council composed of individuals who either live or work in Lowell to ensure meaningful representation of Lowell and the diverse communities existing within it. The advisory board will be responsible for approving podcasters, reviewing news content, translations, and working with CBA to maintain operations.

Eliot Day Center – $31,500

Eliot Day Center serves individuals experiencing homelessness or housing-insecurity in Lowell. In 2022, the average daily attendance increased from 55 to 75 unique individuals daily, representing more than 250 individuals throughout the year. The community served at the center represents a high number of chronically homeless individuals, as well as those who live with chronic health conditions, mental health disorders, substance use disorder, and/or co-occurring disorders.

Habitat for Humanity: Homeowner support to live safely at home – $10,000

Funding will be used for the Critical Home Repair program for low income seniors, veterans and families. They have been known for many years to provide critical repairs to seniors in order to allow them to age successfully in their own homes. The program allows them to sleep easy at night knowing that their homes have been repaired and are safe.

International Institute of New England: Equity in Healthcare Services and Access Initiative – $40,000

This funding will ensure the access of 235 displaced immigrant clients to health insurance and public benefits to support their food and housing security and address the CHIP Service Access goal of increasing literacy regarding how to access services resources, with information and education in their primary languages about health care providers, navigation of healthcare systems, and other resources to address wellness and health needs.

The Megan House Foundation, Inc.: The Gifts of Recovery – $12,850

This will fund the purchase of three new laptops, one for each of the programs, which residents can access to create resumes, job searches, aftercare information, video chat with family and/or children, education classes or note taking. The grant will also support recreation programs to show residents that there is fun in recovery and the value of participating with peers.

Merrimack Valley Food Bank: Community Market – $7,500

The grant will help fund expansion of the Community Market Program to additional housing sites in Billerica, Tewksbury, and Westford. The Community market distributes free fresh fruits and vegetables to residents of public housing, at a common location within each site, every month during the growing/harvesting season.

Mill City Grows: Healthy SNAX After School – $12,100

This program provides healthy, plant-based snacks to youth in afterschool programs that operate at 6 Lowell schools, hosting about 120 participants. The program will also provide food for youth to share with their families, complete with recipes and tips for preparing those foods together at home.