Four Berkshire Nonprofits Receive Grants for Youth Health
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Health New England has awarded $80,000 in grants to non-profit organizations that work to advance youth health and well-being in Western Massachusetts.
The company's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Grants went to 38 organizations in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester counties.
The Berkshire County recipients are:
- Barrington Stage Company (Pittsfield), Playwright Mentoring Program
- Berkshire Bounty (Great Barrington), Food Purchase Program
- Berkshire Pride (Pittsfield), Empowerment and Well-being: After-School Program for LGBTQ+ Teens & Tweens
- Roots Rising (Pittsfield), Roots Rising's Youth Crews
Health New England's DEIB mission is to improve the health and lives of people in our community as it applies to individuals of all races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and levels of ability. We are committed to advancing equitable health outcomes for all members of our community.
Health New England's DEIB Grants are designed to fund local non-profit organizations that focus on health equity and engage around at least one social determinant of health (SDOH). SDOHs are conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that affect health, quality of life, and life expectancy. These conditions may include socioeconomic status, food insecurity, education, access to health care, safe housing, discrimination, violence, and trauma, etc.
Health New England focused this year's DEIB grants on youth health and well-being after a Springfield Public Schools Youth Health Survey
- Good health and optimum nutrients
- Connectedness, positive values, and contribution to society
- Safety and a supportive environment
- Learning, competence, education, skills, and employability
- Agency and resilience
