UMass Memorial, Shields grant $1.4M to 18 Central Mass. nonprofits

Photo | Courtesy of Shields Health Thomas Shields, CEO of Shields Health, speaks at an opening event for the Surgery Center in Shrewsbury.

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By Isabel Tehan

Eighteen Central Massachusetts nonprofits have been granted a combined $1.4 million from Worcester-based UMass Memorial Health in partnership with Shields Health in Quincy.

The grants are allocated as part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Determination of Need program and are given to organizations improving overall health in the region, according to a Wednesday press release from both health systems.

Fresh Start Wellness Center received the largest portion of the grant at $147,994. The Worcester organization is a mental and physical health-promoting center that implements programs in the criminal justice system and at educational institutes. Worcester Common Ground is the recipient of the second largest slice at $114,675, which will support neighborhood improvement programs.

Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, Building Futures in Worcester, Community Harvest Project in Grafton, and Together For Kids Coalition in Worcester all received $100,000.

“Shields Health is committed to improving community health in Central Massachusetts and providing high-quality care that is both affordable and accessible through The Surgery Center – Shrewsbury,” Tom Shields, CEO of Shields Health, said in the press release. “We are pleased to support these organizations in collaboration with UMass Memorial Health as each of them are doing outstanding work to advance public health programs and services throughout Greater Worcester.”

Other organizations receiving the funding are the Worcester-based organizations: