Cranston seniors benefit from COVID-19 aid

A Cranston nonprofit on the frontlines of responding to the pandemic is among the organizations that will share $700,000 in grants from the COVID-19 Response Fund created by the Rhode Island Foundation and United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI).

“As a state, we have begun to shift focus from COVID-19 response to relief and recovery, but even with that positive shift, need in the community continues to grow,” said Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO of the Foundation. “We are so appreciative of the donors who have provided financial support since the crisis began in March, and will continue to work with charitable Rhode Islanders to support the nonprofit organizations that remain on the frontlines, providing crucial community services.”

Scandinavian Communities in Cranston is among the organizations sharing $700,000 in grants. (The full list of awardees and a brief description of what each grant will support is posted here.)

“As we – the nonprofit community – focus more and more on stabilizing households and families, it has become increasingly clear the depth of relief our neighbors need to begin to regain their footing,” said UWRI president and CEO, Cortney Nicolato. “We realize the road ahead may be long, but there’s also no question that without the incredible generosity of so many, that road would be much longer.”

Scandinavian Communities in Cranston received $25,000 to help residents cope with COVID-19 restrictions. The organization, which serves more than 100 residents at Scandinavian Assisted Living and Scandinavian Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing in Cranston, will upgrade internet access and purchase exercise bikes, headphones and recliners.

"We are updating our WIFI at the nursing home to enhance the use of the internet and allow us to interact more efficiently with our residents and families using FaceTime, thus reducing social isolation for our residents," said Colette Silverman, executive director.

"We are purchasing new recumbent cross trainers, providing increased exercise for more residents during this new environment of COVID-19; and headphones for residents who like to keep their TV a little louder, so they do not disturb people in their environment, especially when they are spending more time in their rooms because of social distancing. Finally, we are adding recliners in the rooms of residents who are quarantined for testing of presumptive or positive COVID-19 in order to provide a home-like environment," she said.

With the latest round of grants, the COVID-19 Response Fund has awarded nearly $8 million to nonprofits across Rhode Island since March 27. Donors have already contributed just over $8.5 million since the crisis began.