The Bank of America Charitable Foundation recently awarded $12,000 to
Families First Health and Support Center to help subsidize health care
for people who are uninsured. Families First Executive Director Helen
Taft, right, accepted the check from Kristin Hanley, who is vice
president and portfolio manager at US Trust/Bank of America Private
Wealth Management and also serves on Families First’s Board of
Directors.
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Portsmouth, NH - The Bank of America Charitable Foundation recently awarded its third grant to Families First Health and Support Center, bringing the total amount awarded since 2005 to $34,000. The newest grant, for $12,000, will help Families First offset the costs of providing health care to uninsured individuals.
Families First provides a broad range of health and family support services to individuals and families, regardless of ability to pay. “With the recent economic downturn, we are seeing more uninsured people than ever before,” says Families First Executive Director Helen Taft. “More than 60 percent of our new patients last quarter were uninsured, up from 50 percent last year.”
Patients without health insurance pay a greatly discounted rate based upon their incomes. Families First relies on support from individuals, the state and foundations, like Bank of America, to cover the difference between actual costs and the discounted fees.
“Families First is filling a vital role in our state’s health care delivery system,” said John F. Weeks, president of Bank of America New Hampshire. “Bank of America strongly believes that increasing access to health care is key to our state’s success. We are pleased to continue to support Families First’s important role in this endeavor.”
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. For a program calendar, or to receive information on all Families First services, call 603-422-8208, or visit www.FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org.
Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy
Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the communities it serves, Bank of America will embark in 2009 on a new, ten-year goal to donate $2 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and vitality of their neighborhoods. Funded by Bank of America, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation gave more than $200 million in 2007, making the bank the most generous financial institution in the world and the second largest donor of all U.S. corporations in cash contributions. Bank of America approaches giving 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. Through Team Bank of America, bank associate volunteers contributed more than 650,000 hours in 2007 to enhance the quality of life in their communities nationwide. For more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation. |
