WESTFIELD — The Westfield Foundation held its most recent board meeting and awarded grants totaling over $40,000 to multiple local organizations, among them two new Grantees.
Pediatric Health Center at Trinitas Hospital: The Westfield Foundation supported this project by providing child-sized tables and chairs as well as books in both English and Spanish. These resources will enhance the environment for young patients and their families at the Pediatric Health Center.
JCC (Jewish Community Center): The Foundation awarded a grant to the JCC from its Wagner-Hoffart Fund, which is dedicated to supporting the Senior Citizen Community. The grant is aimed at facilitating a Musical Exploration series, ensuring that the JCC can continue to offer enriching programming to its members.
In addition to the ongoing partnerships with these established community organizations, two new grantees were introduced.
Josephine’s Place: The Foundation is supporting Josephine’s Place with its program called “Connecting the Pieces.” This program is designed to provide support to women who are caregivers for children on the autism spectrum. It empowers mothers to advocate effectively for their children in various settings, such as schools and doctor’s offices.
Music forAll Seasons:TheWestfield Foundation is assisting Music for All Seasons in launching the “Voices of Change” (VOC) pilot program, housed at the Boys and Girls Club. VOC is a student-led initiative aimed at combating bullying and violence in schools and communities through songwriting. The Foundation’s grant will help kickstart the program and provide the necessary equipment for its activities, including future initiatives like podcasting and videos.
“We are honored that our commitment is reaching further into our community and that new Grantees are partnering with The Westfield Foundation. We continue to elevate our discussion within our Grants meetings to ensure we stay true to our mission while also serving the vast needs within our community,” said Executive Director Katie Curran Darcy.
The Westfield Foundation’s purpose is to promote the betterment of Westfield and its surrounding communities by enhancing the quality of life for all of its citizens. Its areas of focus include, but are not limited to, capital projects and improvements within Education, the Arts, Health and Human Services, Historic Preservation, Civic Projects and Community Development.
The Foundation’s grants provide innovative and strategic responses to recognized community needs. The organization aims to partner with agencies and institutions to strengthen their services to the local community. For more information, visit www.thewestfieldfoundation.org.
