To fund an Advocacy Benefits & Legal Services staff person to provide services one day a week in the Community Counseling Outpatient Clinic in Marlborough. Individuals at risk for homelessness will continue to receive services in their own communities. Staff provides housing search assistance, credit repair assistance, and legal mediation between tenants and landlords. To learn more, visit: www.advocatesinc.org

Ken Vona, Board Chair of the Foundation, joins Meg Ramsey, Chair of the Grant Distribution Committee, in presenting the grant to Liliana Mangiafico, ABLS Program Director, Advocates.

To fund expansion of the community-based Family Support Partnership program including services for families with concomitant mental and physical health conditions to improve both mental and physical outcomes. This enables coordinated care for approximately 200 family members in Framingham and other Assabet Valley towns. To learn more, visit: www.avcollaborative.org

Ken Vona, Chair of the Foundation Board, joins Meg Ramsey, Chair of the Grant Distribution Committee, in presenting the grant to Nicki Eastburn, Director of Community and Family Support, Assabet Valley Collaborative.

To fund the operational expenses associated with programming in the areas of adult education, computer skills, parenting, and life enrichment to enhance the self-sufficiency of the 150 residents. The staff provides the 'foundational' academic, vocational, and life skills, along with consistent reinforcement and ongoing assistance to proactively manage their health, finances, basic life skills, and jobs. To learn more, visit: www.bethanyhillschool.org

Ken Vona, Chair of the Foundation Board, and Meg Ramsey, Chair of the Grant Distribution Committee, make the grant presentation to Trish Appert, Executive Director of Bethany Hill School.

To fund a part-time Program Director for the Furnishing Options program, which distributes free household items to low income families (650 individuals in 2010, including 350 children in families) while providing retail customer service training opportunities for disabled youth and adults. The grant also supports continued development of a business plan. To learn more, visit: www.employmentoptions.org

Ken Vona, Chair of the Foundation Board, joins Meg Ramsey, Chair of the Grant Distribution Committee, in presenting the grant check to Ellen Dorian, Board Member, Employment Options.

To continue funding a 15-week evening citizenship class that teaches U.S. history and civics, writing, and how to complete the N-400 form. This class for 15-18 students stresses participation in local and national elections, laws of the community and community involvement, and also helps students develop the writing skills necessary to pass the dictation portion of the test. To learn more, visit: www.faesl.org

Ken Vona, Chair of the Foundation Board, and Meg Ramsey, Chair of the Grant Distribution Committee, present the grant to Christine Tibor, Executive Director, and Martin Estner, Chair of the Board, Framingham Adult ESL.

To continue funding a bilingual Community Resource Specialist for the Wilson Family Assistance program. The goal is to link Woodrow Wilson Elementary School low income and ESL families with state and community resources in the familiar school environment. Last year, 55 families were connected with employment, medical, housing, heating, legal, nutrition, and transportation programs. To learn more, visit: www.jfsmw.org

Ken Vona, Foundation Board Chair, and Meg Ramsey, Chair of the Grant Distribution Committee, make the grant presentation to David Elovitz, Board Member, and Susan Wulf, Chief Development Officer, of Jewish Family Services.

To fund food assistance for 140 clients with HIV/AIDS, working through the United Way Tri-County’s Pearl Street Cabinet and Café in Framingham. Access to nutritious meals at the Café will allow low-income people with HIV/AIDS to stay healthier. This will get clients integrated into the new food pantry in Framingham. To learn more, visit: www.jri.org/Programs-JRI-Health-Services.php

On the left: Ken Vona, Board Chair of the Foundation, joins Meg Ramsey, Chair of the Grant Distribution Committee, in the grant presentation to Ismael Rivera, Executive Director, JRI Health. On the right: Ismael speaks with Foundation volunteer, Sally Thurston, at the grant event.

To fund the expansion of services from one to two afternoons per week and to provide an adolescent and parent support group in the evening. Services offered include evaluation, crisis intervention, triage, and referral. To learn more, visit: www.LYFSinc.org

On the left: Foundation Board Chair Ken Vona joins Meg Ramsey, Chair of the Grant Distribution Committee, in presenting the grant to Bill Blout, President, and Conee Counts, Board Member, Lexington Youth and Family Services. On the right: Bill Blout talks with Andrea Ward, member of the Foundation Grant Distribution Committee, as they wait for the presentations to begin.

To fund the Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) attorney to provide timely, high quality legal assistance to at least 115 homeless individuals and families. The goal is to obtain and maintain permanent affordable housing by overcoming barriers. HAP works to move clients to permanent housing with a budget plan and adequate supports to maintain their tenancy. To learn more, visit: www.mwlegal.org

On the left: Ken Vona, Board Chair of the Foundation, and Meg Ramsey, Chair of the Grant Distribution Committee, make the grant presentation to Elizabeth Soule, Executive Director and Doug Boyer, Board Member, of MetroWest Legal Services. On the right: Elizabeth and Doug enjoy the grant distribution ceremony.

To provide funding to the Meals on Wheels (MOW) program, and enable delivery of a hot lunch to an additional 40 homebound, vulnerable seniors who are unable to provide good nutrition for themselves. Special dietary considerations are available for those with chronic health conditions. The MOW program also provides daily social contact and increased access to services. To learn more, visit: www.minutemansenior.org

Foundation Board Chair Ken Vona joins Meg Ramsey, Chair of the Grant Distribution Committee, in presenting the grant to Jennifer Stiff, Nutrition Program Manager, and Ann Irving, Board President, of Minuteman Senior Services.

To fund a 24-hour hotline and Central shelter, providing temporary housing to individuals and families fleeing domestic violence. Counseling and risk-assessment for callers to the hotline will also be provided. New Hope provides self-sufficiency programs to survivors in their shelter, and legal services for obtaining restraining orders. The Central shelter served 76 individuals last year. To learn more, visit: www.new-hope.org

On the left: Ken Vona, Board Chair of the Foundation, and Meg Ramsey, Chair of the Grant Distribution Committee, present the grant to Kim Thomas, Executive Director, and Rich Terry, Board President, New Hope. On the right: Kim and Rich wait for the grant presentations to begin.

To provide funding for the Prevention and Education program which teaches 2000 teens about healthy relationships and educates community organizations in how to recognize and prevent domestic violence. By working at the community level, REACH reduces the isolation of victims and the stigma of domestic violence. To learn more, visit: www.reachma.org

On the right: Ken Vona, Board Chair of the Foundation, and Meg Ramsey, Chair of the Grant Distribution Committee, present the grant to Christine Konys, Board Chair, and Laura Van Zandt, Executive Director, REACH. On the right: Christine talks with others at the grant event.

To fund parenting programs at three short-term shelters in Medway and Framingham for 70 families with parents under age 21. The classes teach childhood development, effective communication and discipline, stress management, and the importance of daily routines and nutritious meals. Parenting classes will strengthen families and prepare them for the transition to household stability. To learn more, visit: www.SMOC.org

Ken Vona, Board Chair of the Foundation, and Meg Ramsey, Chair of the Grant Distribution Committee, make the grant presentation to Jim Cuddy, Executive Director of SMOC.

To provide funds towards entrepreneurship courses for prisoners about to be released from South Middlesex Correctional Center in Framingham and Northeastern Correctional Center in Concord. Fourteen students at each facility will write business plans and learn to start a service business, leading to employment and financial self-sufficiency. The goal is to reduce the recidivism rate of students. To learn more, visit: www.venturingout.org

Foundation Board Chair Ken Vona and Grant Distribution Committee Chair Meg Ramsey present the grant to Laura Winig, Executive Director, and Dan Sharry, Board Member, Venturing Out.

To fund the Food Access program, that grows organic vegetables to supply the Outreach Market in Waltham, food deliveries to the Salvation Army, and vouchers for free vegetables to other organizations. Fresh produce supplements the primarily canned goods of food pantries, providing more nutritious choices for patrons. To learn more, visit: www.communityfarms.org

Ken Vona, Board Chair of the Foundation, joins Meg Ramsey, Chair of the Grant Distribution Committee, in presenting the grant to Clair Kozower, Executive Director of Waltham Community Farm.