Award will support HCRS’ work to help the severely disabled
Springfield, VT, April 8, 2016 – Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS), the second largest community mental health center in Vermont, announced today that the Vermont Community Foundation’s Small and Inspiring grant program has awarded HCRS a $2,500 grant. The award recognizes HCRS’ mission to provide creative, collaborative, and compassionate health care services and will support its Shared Living Providers program, which provides homes for clients with developmental disabilities.
“Small and Inspiring projects remind us of the importance of community,” said Jen Peterson, vice president for program and grants at the Community Foundation. “As we are confronted daily with news stories that incite feelings of fear and distrust, we are honored to support work that brings us together and nourishes the social fabric of our Vermont communities.”
The Shared Living Providers program delivers an essential service to HCRS’ clients through “Home Providers,” who open their homes to individuals with developmental disabilities and support their clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The adults they assist are unable to live on their own and generally do not have families who are able to support them.
The grant will also fund an essential monthly support group for Home Providers themselves, offering opportunities to compare their experiences and use each other as resources. In addition, the funds will provide access to educational speakers and other resources for these providers.
“While their work can be highly rewarding, HCRS’ Home Providers often experience challenges in providing 24/7 care for individuals with developmental disabilities,” said George Karabakakis, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, HCRS. “The Foundation’s award will make trainings available to Home Providers on effectively managing the challenges they face and also provide them valuable opportunities to support one another.”
The Vermont Community Foundation helps build and manage charitable funds created by individuals, families, groups, organizations and institutions. The Foundation is committed to building philanthropic resources that will sustain healthy and vital Vermont communities now and into the future. Its Small and Inspiring grants program helps to keep Vermonters healthy and happy by finding and supporting projects where a small grant can make a big difference.
About HCRS
Founded in 1967, HCRS is a non-profit, community mental health agency serving Vermonters in Windham and Windsor counties. HCRS serves over 4,000 individuals every year through its mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities programs. The Agency provides holistic care for clients, supporting them with employment, housing, transportation, and other social service needs. Visit www.hcrs.org for more information.
About The Vermont Community Foundation
The Vermont Community Foundation is a family of hundreds of funds and foundations established by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals. It provides the advice, investment vehicles, and back-office expertise to make giving easy and effective. The Foundation also provides leadership in giving by responding to community needs, mobilizing and connecting philanthropists to multiply their impact, and by keeping Vermont’s nonprofit sector vital with grants and other investments in the community. Visit www.vermontcf.org or call (802) 388-3355 for more information.
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