Beverly Police Department Awarded $100K Cummings Grant For Wellness Program

BEVERLY — The Beverly Police Department has been awarded a $100,000 grant over three years through Cummings Foundation’s annual grant program.

The department was one of 150 nonprofits chosen through what the announcement described as a competitive review process that drew a record 959 applicants.

The funding will support programmatic, training, and resources to enhance department-wide wellness, resilience, mental health, and overall well-being within the Beverly Police Department.

The new wellness and resilience program will be co-coordinated by Lt. Mark Panjwani and Officer Ted Lane.

The Beverly Police Department said in a release that it views the well-being of officers, dispatchers, civilian staff, and their families as directly connected to the strength, safety, and effectiveness of the agency and its service to the community.

"Police work can be stressful and resilience building helps reduce PTSD, trauma, and prevent burnout resulting in improved health and better judgement and decisions," Beverly Police Chief John LeLacheur said. "We are truly grateful for this grant funding which will make a significant difference."

The Woburn-based Cummings Foundation increased its annual grant program from $30 million to $35 million this year and shifted to fully unrestricted funding, according to the announcement.

Foundation executive director and trustee Joyce Vyriotes said the change reflects concerns among Greater Boston nonprofits about rising costs, increased demand for services, and uncertainty around public funding.

"Nonprofit professionals are closest to the challenges facing their communities, making them best positioned to determine where and how new funds will drive the greatest impact"” said Vyriotes. "By providing increased, flexible funding, we hope to strengthen organizations’ long-term stability and help them respond to evolving community needs."

A full list of this year's recipients is available here.