Main Street Community Foundation

Last week, donors, community members, and nonprofit partners joined together to celebrate the local organizations that were awarded grants in 2024 from Main Street Community Foundation’s Women & Girls Fund. The Annual Meeting & Grantee Reception is held to acknowledge the accomplishments of the Fund and the organizations serving women and girls in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, and Wolcott. A total of $60,000 in grants were awarded to 14 organizations working to improve the conditions and opportunities for local women and girls. To view all grants awarded, visit https://lnkd.in/efWMkCWx

Looking for healthcare employees? BristolWORKS! is hosting a Healthcare Job Fair on Wednesday, February 19 from 4:00-6:30 pm at BristolWORKS!, 430 N. Main Street, Bristol, CT.  Sign up to table and recruit for your open positions. This fair will encourage attendance for anyone looking for positions in healthcare, including certified healthcare staff, facility, office/administration, food service, etc. Register at: https://lnkd.in/gJdjcwvU Space is limited. Hope to see you there!

This morning was a GREAT morning with the Greater Bristol Branch of the NAACP!

Spread the word - Scholarships are now available! All applications are due March 7. For more info and for the link to the applications, click here: https://lnkd.in/engFG56h

Do you recognize some familiar faces from the local high schools?! This morning we hosted school and career counselors from all the local high schools for our annual Coffee & Conversation to discuss the Foundation’s 2025 scholarship program. If you are a student be sure to contact your guidance office - they have all the information you will need about not only our scholarships but every one available to you.

Still trying to figure out what your #NewYearsResolutions for 2025 will be? Consider a "resolution for good" - one that will make a great change to your community, your neighbors, your family or your friends. Committing to helping those in need, giving your talents to a cause you care about or giving an annual (or monthly!) donation to a local organization are a couple examples of how you can make 2025 a year of change. Happy New Year!

Do you create vision boards? The Boys & Girls Club of Bristol recently shared these pictures from the Cambridge Park Clubhouse with us. Members of the SMART Girls program recently created vision boards that reflect their goals, dreams, and aspirations for the future! As the Club said, though, “These vision boards are more than just crafts – they're powerful reminders of the incredible potential within each of our girls, and the path they’re paving toward success.” This year, MSCF awarded a $5,000 grant to the SMART Girls program from three funds: the John & Gloria DiFrancesco Fund for Women and Girls, the Barbara Hackman Franklin Fund for Women and the Women & Girls Fund. 

FYI - Bristol residents are being invited to comment on the Community Development Block Grant Program: 5 Year Consolidated Plan. All information on the plan and the CDBG program can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eajCGbPN

The start of a new year also means the start of a new grant cycle! MSCF will be accepting letters of intent for the Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust from nonprofits serving Southington through February 14. All information can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eBWweDud Funding requests must align with at least one of the following three areas that were identified by a comprehensive community needs assessment study: health/health care needs for an aging population; substance use and mental health; and healthy initiatives and lifestyle.

A new year means New Year’s Resolutions! Many people make health-related resolutions and now the residents at Mulberry Gardens of Southington will have new exercise equipment to stay on top of their resolutions! A $12,000 grant was awarded to the Mulberry Gardens of Southington in 2024 to purchase exercise equipment for the Good Life Fitness program. This program gives residents at the assisted living facility the opportunity to participate in this highly individualized fitness program, under the supervision of certified exercise physiologists. This grant was awarded from the Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust.