Stamford, CT - AmeriCares has awarded more than $600,000 in disaster recovery grants to 12 nonprofit organizations in seven states. AmeriCares launched the grant program in August to assist disaster survivors rebounding from massive flooding and one of the worst tornado seasons on record. The program provides grants of up to $100,000 for health-related recovery projects that improve medical care for the uninsured, mental health services, psychosocial support and case management, as well as disaster preparedness.
The awards include:
· A $48,473 grant to Access Family Care to begin offering rehabilitative dental care for children in Joplin, Mo., where a recent tornado destroyed 13 dental offices;
· An $8,942 grant to Access Family Care in Joplin, Mo., to install electrical power to a donated x-ray machine at its Joplin clinic;
· A $40,810 grant to The Economic Security Corporation (ESC) of the Southwest Area to expand women’s health services in Joplin, Mo.;
· A $60,000 grant to the Social Welfare Board free clinic in St. Joseph, Mo., to allow it to continue operating despite a loss in revenue due to recent flooding;
· A $25,656 grant to the Capstone Rural Health Center in Parrish, Ala., to purchase a back-up generator that will allow it to better serve the community during major storms and power outages;
· A $50,000 grant to the Birmingham Baptist Association in Birmingham, Ala., to provide case management services to 200 families affected by recent tornadoes;
· A $7,000 grant to North Alabama Medical Reserve Corps in Huntsville, Ala., to train more than 200 first responders to work with autistic children and adults during emergencies;
· An $81,188 grant to the Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center in Jasper, Ala., to provide therapy and case management services to 500 area residents coping with mental health issues related to recent tornadoes;
· A $98,000 grant to BCFS Health and Human Services in San Antonio, Texas, to address the needs of individuals displaced by disasters requiring skilled medical care;
· A $37,180 grant to the Memphis Health Center in Memphis, Tenn., to purchase a natural gas generator that will allow it to continue operations during major emergencies and power outages;
· A $90,790 grant to the Cobleskill-Richmondville Central, Middleburgh Central and Schoharie Central school districts in upstate New York to hire a shared family liaison to provide counseling and referrals to local social services for students and their families affected by recent tropical storms;
· A $29,000 grant to Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota to provide outreach and case management services to 1,000 families in rural areas affected by recent Missouri River flooding;
· A $32,440 grant to Wake Health Services in Raleigh, N.C., to purchase a generator that will allow the community health center to continue operations in Wake County and support emergency services during major power outages.
AmeriCares aids survivors of natural disasters, political conflict and extreme poverty around the world and across the United States, saving lives and restoring health and hope. In the United States, AmeriCares also provides ongoing aid for nearly 400 health clinics serving the poor and uninsured. For more information go to www.americares.org or call 1(800) 486-HELP.
