| May 19, 2010 | Contact: Margie Wachtel (603) 422-8208 x141 |
Bank of America grant helps community health center meet growing demand
PORTSMOUTH, NH Making its fifth grant to the Seacoasts community health center in as many years, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation has granted $12,000 to help Families First Health and Support Center provide medical and dental care for low-income, uninsured patients.
The grant will help Families First meet demand for affordable health care, which has spiked since the economic downturn began. In calendar year 2009, Families First provided primary care to more than 4,000 men, women and children, half of whom lack health insurance and more than 90% of whom live in low-income households. The number of visits from uninsured patients that year was up 32% over 2008.
At Bank of America, we recognize that improved access to quality healthcare is critical to the overall well being of the community, said John F. Weeks, president, Bank of America New Hampshire. The impact Families First has had on the Seacoasts medically underserved cannot be overstated.
Families First Health and Support Center provides affordable primary, prenatal and oral health care; parenting and family programs; one-on-one family support; and mobile health care for people who are homeless. More information is available at 603-422-8208 or www.FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org.
Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the communities it serves, last year Bank of America embarked on a new, ten-year goal to donate $2 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and vitality of their neighborhoods. Bank of America approaches investing through a national strategy called "neighborhood excellence" under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most pressing needs of individual communities. Bank associate volunteers contributed more than 800,000 hours in 2009 to enhance the quality of life in their communities nationwide. For more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.
