Requests for funding also being accepted through February 10, 2016

December 2015 - Over $325,000 was awarded from the Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust to five organizations working to improve the health and wellbeing of Southington residents. The organizations, two of which received continued funding from the Barnes Memorial Trust, provide programs that enhance community wellness, support local seniors and improve access to behavioral health services.

Three grants were awarded to organizations for programs that are being funded by the Barnes Memorial Trust for the first time. The grants are:

• $100,000 to Hartford HealthCare at Home, to support an integrated care approach for Southington seniors which includes a geriatrician, geriatric pharmacist consultation and a telemonitoring program. These programs will work collaboratively together to prevent a higher risk of injuries or potential falls to seniors returning to their home environment and minimize gaps in the care programs.
• $39,000 to Health Assistance InterVention Education Network (HAVEN), to provide case management support for healthcare professionals who reside or work in Southington as well as to provide education and outreach services to healthcare employers.

• $32,103 to the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCAs, to support the launch of EnhanceFitness, an evidence-based group exercise program that uses simple, easy to learn movements that motivate individuals with arthritis to stay active throughout their life.   

Furthermore, two organizations were awarded grants to provide continued funding for programs that the Barnes Memorial Trust supported in 2014. Those grants are:

• $79,075 to Wheeler Clinic, to continue the Southington Health Outreach Project, which enhances access to mental health and substance abuse programs by educating residents about the signs of these issues and the services available.
• $75,000 to the Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Connecticut, Inc., to further support Hope Full Lives, a community and home based program designed to decrease caregiver burden and promote the positive mental health and well-being of dementia care partners in Southington.

“We are thrilled to be announcing over $325,000 in grants thanks to the generous legacy of Bradley and Leila Barnes,” said Susan Sadecki, President & CEO of the Community Foundation. “Their impact on the Southington community is great and will only continue to grow.”

All grant proposals are reviewed by the nine person volunteer Advisory Committee for the Barnes Memorial Trust. The Advisory Committee is comprised of Southington residents and professionals who conduct site visits of each organization and make final funding recommendations to the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors. “The Advisory Committee’s thoughtful review of all proposals to ensure feasibility, sustainability and impact as well as their commitment to honoring donor intent is unmatched,” stated Sadecki.

Barnes Memorial Trust Accepting Letters of Intent
The Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust is accepting letters of intent from nonprofit organizations serving the Southington community for capital projects, programs or initiatives that will enhance the health and wellbeing of Southington residents.

The proposed capital project, program or initiative must address one or more of the following identified community health and health care focus areas:

• Access and affordability to health care;
• Mental health and substance use;
• Supports to meet the health and health needs of an aging population;
• Better integrated health care (especially the integration of primary and behavioral health, including initiatives that promote a healthy lifestyle).

The deadline for submission is February 10, 2016. Interested 501(c)(3) organizations are required to contact Jarre Betts, Vice President of Programs, or Alecia Andrews, Program Officer, at 860.583.6363 at least 10 business days prior to submitting a letter of intent. Full guidelines, including additional eligibility criteria, are available here.

The Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust was originally established in 1973 by the late Bradley Henry Barnes of Southington to support the health and health care needs of Southington residents. The Trust was transferred to the Main Street Community Foundation in 2004.