Applications available for St. Vincent Community Healthcare Fund Grants

The Diocese of Worcester has announced that applications are available for the St. Vincent Community Healthcare Fund grants. This is the 15th year for grants since it was established in June 1998. Forms with eligibility requirements are available through the Office of the Chancellor, Diocese of Worcester, 49 Elm St., Worcester, MA 01609, phone 508-929-4345 or fax at 508-754-2768 or email: acoderre@worcesterdiocese.org . Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30.

Last year, 36 grants totaling more than $60,000 were made for a variety of uses, including free health clinics, mental health and substance abuse counseling, nursing care, and medication for homeless families and residents of shelters.

The fund was announced in June 1998 and was started with $1.6 million that had been raised by the St. Vincent Development Foundation prior to the sale of St. Vincent Hospital to OrNda Healthcorp in 1996. At that time the development foundation ceased its operation. During the oversight process by the Attorney General’s Office, it was determined that the funds that had been raised by the foundation would be given to the diocese to support health care programs and services in the community. These funds are to be used in accordance with the original wishes of the donors and in accordance with the original mission of the foundation, to:

•  provide financial and other assistance to nonprofit health care organizations to promote the scientific, literary, educational, public health, public safety or civic purposes of such entities for the direct benefit of the residents of Worcester County;

•  work for the development of medical and health services by supporting and strengthening the services provided by nonprofit health care providers which provide services to Worcester County residents;

• support nonprofit organizations which provide for the medical and other health care needs of residents of Worcester County;

• provide for the needs of Worcester County residents through the purchase of medical and other health care services or supplies.