April 1, 2020

By Deacon Kevin Mastellon
Contributing Writer

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation recently announced it has awarded nearly $150 million in grants across New York State, including more than a couple dozen grants here in the Diocese of Ogdensburg.

The grants are helping to fund more activities, programs, and initiatives focused on improving the health and well-being of low-income and underserved communities.

North Country human services agencies were awarded over $5 million in the first round of Mother Cabrini Health Foundation grants. Agencies from Plattsburgh to Watertown were recognized among the 500 grants statewide which amounted to $150 million. The Diocese’s Department of Education, Catholic Charities and St. Joseph’s Home were major beneficiaries, but other organizations will receive funding for specific initiatives. Among them:
Citizen Advocates applied for and received a $500,000 grant from the Foundation in support of the Harrison Place Project in downtown Malone. The Harrison Place Project involves the removal of blighted property in order to achieve revitalization of Main Street in the village of Malone with the development of a 40-unit supportive housing initiative, including commercial space on the ground floor.

“This project is a major undertaking, and we are greatly encouraged as we build support through various funding sources that are vital to making this transformational project a reality,” said James Button, Chief Operations Officer for Citizen Advocates. “To that end, we are eternally grateful to the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for supporting this project, and our shared vision for improving the health and well-being of low income and underserved residents in our community.”

The Watertown Urban Mission will receive almost $78,000 to fund its share of the Getting Ahead program. “The material covered during the Getting Ahead workshop helps people to develop their own individualized plans for change while the experience of learning and sharing as part of a cohort encourages long-term community involvement. Locally we have seen graduates take on leadership roles in community level initiatives. Getting Ahead is a game changer in terms of how we address poverty, and we are extremely grateful for the support of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation which allows us to expand the program.”

The Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Agency will receive two grants, totaling $334,000 "Thanks to the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, we will be able to better prepare and connect transitioning soldiers to educational, career skills development, and networking opportunities in one of the most critical industries in the State and region – healthcare.”

The Adirondack Birth to Three program received $150,000 as did the Adirondack Health Foundation. “This generous contribution will allow Adirondack Health to better serve the frail and elderly in the Tri-Lakes region by giving them the services needed, decrease isolation and improve the quality of life for many. It will make a difference in the lives of our community members for years to come.”

Clinton County’s Behavioral Health program ($195,334), Franklin County Mental Health Association ($161,500), Canton-Potsdam Hospital ($27,885), Mercy Care of the Adirondacks ($340,000) and the North Country Prenatal/Perinatal Council ($125,000) were also funded.

Rooted in Catholic principles and teachings, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation was founded to support activities, programs, and initiatives that improve the health and well-being of the poor and underserved of New York State. To reach those in need, the Foundation funds a wide range of projects by partnering with both faith-based and secular institutions whose organizational mission aligns with the values of the Foundation.

Although some positions and practices of these institutions will not always be consistent with the full range of Catholic teaching, the Foundation’s association with these institutions is always and only focused on their projects that are fully consistent with Catholic teaching. Furthermore, the Foundation neither facilitates, endorses nor enables any violation of those teachings. The Foundation has a careful review system to ensure fidelity to Catholic moral teaching and to ensure that all funds distributed by the Foundation are used only for purposes complying with that teaching, and it strives to ensure that the Foundation’s association with them does not advance those practices to which it is opposed.

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation was formed after the 2018 sale of Fidelis Care, a nonprofit health insurer created by the Catholic bishops of New York State. For more than 25 years, Fidelis Care expanded under the bishops' oversight to become one of the highest rated and most successful insurers operating in the state.

For more information about the foundation and the grant program, go to https://www.cabrinihealth.org/grants.