Southington Health Programs Benefit From Major Foundation Funds

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Seven organizations serving Southington residents have received a combined $539,095 in grants from the Main Street Community Foundation to support programs aimed at improving community health and well-being.

The funding was distributed through the Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust, which was established in 1973 to support organizations focused on the health of Southington residents.

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The largest grant awarded this cycle went to Senior Transportation Services, which received $112,000 to continue providing free curb-to-curb transportation for Southington residents age 50 and older or those with disabilities.

The service provides rides to medical appointments, pharmacies, banks, personal care appointments, and visits to loved ones in care facilities.

LiveWell received $100,000 to support the second year of its Dementia Positive Southington initiative, which aims to promote positive attitudes toward people living with dementia and encourage brain health awareness throughout the community.

Wheeler Health was awarded $95,500 to support the Southington Community Health Outreach Project, which connects residents with behavioral health and substance use resources through a full-time community-based coordinator.

The Prudence Crandall Center received $95,000 to support domestic violence intervention and prevention services for Southington residents, including counseling, outreach, court advocacy and operation of a 24-hour crisis shelter and hotline.

The LEAF, also known as Lewis Educational Agricultural Farm, received $60,000 in operating support for educational agriculture programs conducted in partnership with Southington Public Schools and the community. Programs include school gardens, a farm-to-school lunch program, summer camps, healthy cooking classes and produce donations to local food pantries.

The Arc of Southington received $40,945 to purchase and install emergency generators at three Southington group homes to help medically fragile residents remain in their homes during power outages.

The Southington Education Foundation was awarded $35,650 to support development and implementation of the Asset-Building Classroom curriculum for students in grades 6 through 12 in Southington Public Schools.

Since Main Street Community Foundation became trustee of the Barnes Memorial Trust in 2004, the trust has awarded approximately $15.6 million to support the health and well-being of Southington residents.

The Main Street Community Foundation, established in 1995, supports charitable giving and community programs in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott. According to the foundation, it has awarded more than $35 million in grants and scholarships since its founding.