Thirty-one recipients of the 2017 Community Benefits Grant Impact Opportunity Program were invited to a reception at the White Home at Saint Luke's Hospital on April 5, 2017. These grants recognize community organizations who promote the optimal health and well being of individuals and communities served by Southcoast Health. "Let me start by thanking you for all you do for everybody living in the communities that we serve, especially those who are sometimes under the most challenging of circumstances," stated Southcoast Health President and CEO Keith Hovan. The program has awarded 52 grants over the past two years totaling a little more than $250,000. "We hope to continue this and hope to see that number grow year over year," added Hovan Proposals had to align with the health priority areas identified in Southcoast Health's most recent Community Benefits Report. Click here for a 14-minute video of the event. For more information, contact Kerry Mello at 508-973-5273. 

(Top row, left) Michelle Sharpe of the Fall River Schools signs in with Southcoast staff members Rachel Davis and Laurie Bartley. (Top row, center) Marilyn St. Aubin of Grace Episcopal Church and Southcoast Director of Government Affairs Bill Burns speak with Southcoast President and CEO Keith Hovan, right. (Top row, right) Ms. St. Aubin talks with Southcoast Public Information Officer Peter Cohenno and Public Information Officer and New Media Specialist Stephen Canessa. (Row two) Southcoast President and CEO Keith Hovan welcomes everyone and praises them for their work before introducing Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County Executive Director Michelle Loranger and Rev. David Lima of the Greater New Bedford Inter-Church Council for their remarks. (Row three, left) Bernadett Sousa of  Youth Opportunities Unlimited and Peter McCarthy of the Fall River Boys and Girls Club pose for a photo. (Row three, center) Terry Romanovich of People Incorporated talks with Elizabeth Isherwood of Moore & Isherwood. (Row three, right) Southcoast Community Benefits Manager Kerry Mello talks with Rob Mendes of the New Bedford Boys and Girls Club. (Bottom row) Ray Gordon of Stanley Street Treatment and Resources talks with Jane Dibiasio of People Incorporated. (Bottom row, center) Barara Allard of the Fall River Schools talks with Dorothy Caron of CFC Head Start and Fall River Youth Services Director Christian McCloskey. (Bottom row, right) Rosa Medeiros of Steppingstone chats with Helena Marques Hughes, Executive Director of the Immigrants Assistance Center.