To help close health gaps on Long Island, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation announced Thursday that it awarded $8.8 million to support the region’s vulnerable communities, which have faced new challenges amid the pandemic.
The funding is going to organizations and programs that address the needs of underserved Long Islanders. It includes $1 million to Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre for its pre-surgical testing renovation, $300,000 for Pronto of Long Island in Bay Shore to combat food insecurity and other organizations.
“As we look back at the compounding crises of the last few years, the health-related needs of vulnerable communities have only grown,” Alfred Kelly, Jr., chairman and CEO of Visa and chair of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Board, said in a statement. Our grantees have demonstrated tremendous resilience, creativity, and dedication to serving those in need, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have such detrimental impact.”
The funding is part of an overall $160 million the foundation is awarding across the state. In total, the funding supports 507 programs to improve health and human services. This includes improving oral health access and outcomes, increasing availability and access to quality healthcare, and funding programs to provide young children with necessary health and education resources to succeed.
“After nearly two years of recovery from a pandemic that has hit vulnerable populations the hardest, we must continue to address the challenges communities across New York State are facing: food and housing insecurity, lack of access to basic healthcare including vaccines, lack of equity within the healthcare professions, and racial and economic healthcare disparities made worse during COVID-19. We must continue to support the full range of services that make for healthy people and communities,” Msgr. Gregory Mustaciuolo, CEO of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, said in a statement.
In addition to funding COVID-19 relief, the grants address a range of urgent health needs and social determinants of health across New York State. These include programs that enhance access to mental health counseling, increase availability of nutritious food in food deserts, improve access to healthcare and transportation, support older adults with access to technology, strengthen veteran services, and offer scholarship support as well as remote learning opportunities. Initiatives also promote housing, employment assistance, and translation services; advancements in telehealth technology; and extended legal and social services.
Recipients include community-based organizations, food banks, healthcare providers, nursing homes, schools, federally qualified health centers, and trade associations that are addressing the needs of target populations: low-income individuals and families; older adults; youth and young adults; persons with special needs; immigrants and migrant workers; veterans; formerly incarcerated individuals; and young children, pregnant women, and new moms.
Below are the grant recipients on Long Island.
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