In response to the many serious social, economic and health-related consequences facing Boston residents and community members as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tufts Medical Center (Tufts MC) launched a competitive grant program to community-based organizations serving South Boston, Chinatown and the local Asian community, and Dorchester in early May, intended to help alleviate some of the pressures and immediate needs of the South Boston community and its residents.

The needs are great, and Tufts MC is doing its part to support our communities by providing them with additional resources, opportunities, and hope for the future. Tufts MC has awarded $300,000 in funding to 23 community-based organizations in South Boston, Chinatown, and Dorchester that predominantly serve people of color and low-income households, as well as special populations including domestic violence survivors, families of children with special needs, immigrants, limited-English speakers, and residents in recovery.

The funds will help meet critical short and mid-term needs of residents and community-based organizations (CBOs) arising from the pandemic, including preparing CBOs to serve residents in new ways as the economy reopens, and provide paid summer employment to Boston’s vulnerable youth.

“We heard many accounts of community members being challenged with food insecurity, financial and job instability, social-emotional distresses and more,” said Sherry Dong, Director of Community Health at Tufts MC. “Service providers, on the frontlines helping community members access so many urgent needs, are coping with how to support and continue to serve the community in the face of PPE [Personal Protective Equipment] shortages, ramping up technology, planning how to safely re-open and re-imagine service delivery.”

Agencies awarded funds to serve the South Boston community include the Gavin Foundation, South Boston Community Health Center, and South Boston Neighborhood House. Funding will help these CBOs provide access to food and other everyday supplies for families in need, as well as helping community members acquire computers so that they can access the services they need while maintaining physical distancing.

For more information, please contact Sherry Dong at [email protected].