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News Release

July 13, 2005

Commmunity Foundation Helps Secure $96,760 for Children in Need

The Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) has awarded $96,760 in two grants to benefit children in Middletown and surrounding towns on the nomination of the Middlesex County Community Foundation. The Rushford Center, a behavioral health provider based in Middletown, has received $42,725 for an Adventure Education and Technology Program to improve accessibility and effectiveness of positive youth development programs for at-risk children and adolescents in Middlesex County. Northern Middlesex YMCA, as fiduciary for the Middletown's "Opportunity Knocks" Collaborative, has also received funding, totaling $54,035, to provide health care consultants and equipment to help ensure that every Middletown child enters kindergarten emotionally and physically healthy to succeed. These grants were 2 of 10 grants awarded by the Authority in June to nonprofit organizations statewide from among 23 applicants.

Since 2002, CHEFA has partnered with Connecticut community foundations 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 under this CHEFA program. Previous grants to Middlesex County organizations have included $50,000 to the Community Health Center, Gilead Community Services and Oddfellows Playhouse, bringing the county total for CHEFA funding to $246,760.

Middlesex County Community Foundation nominated this year's applications because they addressed substantiated needs in Middlesex County: school readiness, and mental health and substance abuse services. The "Opportunity Knocks" Collaborative, consisting of four institutional partners - The Middletown School Readiness Council, the Middlesex United Way and the Family Advocacy and Family Practice Programs located at Middlesex Hospital - bring together early childhood educators and pediatric health care providers to promote more effective preventative practices and accessible services for low income children. Rushford funding will be used to provide 400 at-risk children with positive recreation and computer activities proven to develop skills, competencies and self esteem. The technology component will also enable the Rushford staff to institute a system-wide assessment of needs and outcomes for all its children and adolescent programs.

The Middlesex County Community Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life in Middlesex County. The Foundation assists donors meet their philanthropic objectives through the creation of restricted and unrestricted endowments. Income from these endowments is used to award grants to organizations that have a positive impact on our community. The Foundation also works cooperatively with other funders and non-profits to enhance philanthropy and improve conditions in the county. Since its founding in 1997, Middlesex County Community Foundation has provided over $500,000 in grants to more than 115 organizations for the arts; cultural and heritage programs; educational activities; environmental improvements; and for health and human services. The Community Foundation welcomes conversations with good people who want to do great things. More information can be obtained at www.MiddlesexCountyCF.org or by calling Patti Anne Vassia, president at 860.347.0025.

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