BCAT News

Burlington’s Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, has awarded almost $1 million in grants through its Community-based Health Initiative to three area organizations to support programs in housing, mental health and substance abuse.

“These grants provide community organizations with critical resources to further develop and implement programs and services that bolster the health and well-being of their local residents,” said Susan Moffatt-Bruce, MD, PhD, president of Lahey Hospital & Medical Center. “We are proud to support these organizations and the important work they are doing in their communities.

Lahey awarded nearly $500,000 to Community Teamwork Inc. of Lowell, which mobilizes resources for individuals who are low-resources. The grant will provide families experiencing homelessness with Secure Jobs services, which includes personalized employment services, job readiness training, and stabilization services aimed at eliminating barriers to employment.

An additional $260,000 was awarded to the YMCA of Metro North/Torigian Family YMCA of Peabody for its Youth Mental Health Support and Substance Use Prevention Program. The funds will support a youth behavioral analyst position and further substance use prevention and behavioral health services for young people.

“We are immensely grateful to Lahey Hospital & Medical Center for this grant, which enables us to expand our impact on young people in our care,” said Cara Green, executive director of the Torigian Family YMCA. “This support allows us to continue our work as a vital community partner at the forefront of helping children and teens navigate stress and mental health issues and provide them a healthy, safe and supportive place to utilize in the community.”

The remainder of the funds, about $253,000, went to the Greater Lowell Health Alliance to expand its Khmer Older Adult Action Group, which engages older Cambodian adults as paid community ambassadors to identify community needs and implement solutions.

The grants will be provided over three years.

The community health investment was allocated as part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Determination of Need process for the relocation and expansion of LHMC’s Radiation Oncology Department. The new, modernized clinic will provide patients access to high-quality cancer care in the community. It is expected to open later this year.