---

News Release

July 19, 2004

MIDDLESEX COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ASSISTS LOCAL NONPROFIT OBTAIN $50,000 GRANT

Gilead Community Services, Inc., with client service centers in Middletown, Chester, and Essex, received a $50,000 grant from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) to purchase two vans for client transportation. It was one of 10 grants awarded by the Authority in June to nonprofit organizations statewide from among 29 applicants.

Initially approved in August 2002, CHEFA's grant program seeks to provide alternative sources of funds to nonprofit entities that provide essential health, educational, cultural, and childcare services to the broadest number of Connecticut residents in areas of the state identified as communities in need. Nominations from community foundations are required for all grant applications.

Middlesex County Community Foundation nominated Gilead's application for CHEFA funding because it addressed two critical needs in Middlesex County identified in a community visioning process and by the Middlesex United Way's most recent needs assessment: transportation and mental health services. Gilead provides housing, clinical support and recovery services to help individuals with psychiatric disabilities live independently in the community. As an essential support service, Gilead provides transportation for residential and community clients to medical appointments, to job sites and to meet their daily needs. The CHEFA grant enables Gilead to continue to provide, and expand, transportation services to an underserved low income population in Middlesex County and to free up operating funds to support basic clinical and case management services.

Two other grants nominated by the Middlesex County Community Foundation, totaling $100,000, were awarded CHEFA funding in December, 2003: $50,000 to the Community Health Center, Inc. for an Obesity Prevention and Treatment Initiative; and $50,000 to the Oddfellows Playhouse for its Neighborhood Troupes program for at-risk youth.

back