Grantees
CURRENT GRANTEES
Another priority is to fund initiatives like the ones listed below that provide access to services that mitigate the lifelong impact of racism on elderly African American women. As a result, the Foundation is striving to generate new, more strategic connections. We believe that creating partnerships with community members and organizations, will both expand our collective knowledge about these tragic outcomes and increase our elders’ access to services.
Project Funded by GKF: This project supports Discovering Your Digital World, a digital literacy initiative specifically designed for low-income seniors in Boston. By providing participants with tablets and training based on the AARP Senior Planet Tech Curriculum, ABCD helps bridge the digital divide for older adults. The program empowers seniors to navigate the modern digital landscape, enhancing their ability to access resources, stay connected with loved ones, and maintain independence in an increasingly online world.
For more resources & information, contact: Makieya Kamara, Director of ABCD Elder Services 617.348.6784 makieya.kamara@bostonabcd.org
Project Funded by GKF: This project delivers programs to raise awareness of the risk factors for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementias. It provides information about best care and support practices, as well as the state of research, treatments, and public policy advocacy. This initiative also supports our constituents by building partnerships with churches and senior residences which broadens their outreach to include new community partners outside of the immediate “dementia sector.”
For more resources & information, contact:
Jayne Paragona, Vice President, Development, MA/NH Chapter
617.393.2052
Project Funded by GKF: Boston Medical Center’s Elders Living at Home Program (ELAHP) aims to help older adults who are homeless or at risk for homelessness. Their participation in this program helps them to secure and/or maintain a permanent residence and live as independently as possible. The services ELAHP has provided for the past 36 years closely align with the GKF’s mission “to care for the special needs of aging African-American/Black women living in Boston.”
For more resources & information, contact:
Ms. Eileen O’Brien, Program Director,
617.638.6148 / Eileen.Obrien@bmc.org
Project Funded by GK: Urban Community Homemaking works to provide a holistic approach to the home care provided to elderly, African American/Black women. The organization focuses on providing the personal and homemaking care that enables clients to continue living, independently and safely, in the comfort of their homes. This program provides the Personal Care Assistants needed to keep their home environment safe and clean. The aides and friendly companions escort clients to their medical appointments as well as to church and hair, and nail appointments. The aides also cook nutritious meals the women can enjoy on those days when they are alone.
For more resources & information, contact:
Ms. Beulah Providence, Executive Director
617-445-1228/bprovidence@caribbeanfoundation.net
Project Funded by GKF:
Funds were used for myriad activities focused on healthy eating, projects, and entrance fees for field trips to a gospel festival, museums, walks in local parks and sponsored exercise classes – essential activities to keep them healthy, vibrant, and connected to others. They also partnered with Bay Cove to provide counselling services.
For more resources & information, contact:
Gail Latimore, Executive Director
617-825-4224 x 132/gail@csndc.com
Project Funded by GFK: Assertively advocating for the well-being of African Americans, especially elder women to attain resources. We concede that access and entry do not routinely lead to inclusion where systemic, pervasive, and historic health and economic disparities exist. We respond with information for action. The identified exclusion of Black mental health crisis is evident from MCOA – EMHOT 2021 reports. We proposed a remedial strategy and championed the Commonwealth doubling of 2023 funding to $2.5 million. We were awarded a maximum 2023 State competitive grant for technology innovation addressing Black Elders health and isolation through cross-sector and intergenerational partnerships. We are continuing to pave a path of resilience and transformation in the face of persistent disappointments and neglect.
For more resources & information, contact:
Ronald H Lammy, President/CEO
781-521-2939
elderwellnessrhl@gmail.com
Project Funded by GKF: Through support from the Grimes-King Foundation, ESAC’s Aging in Place initiative helps lower-income elderly women of African descent age in good health and dignity in their own homes and communities. They achieve this by offering a complementary blend of housing stabilization supports to renters and homeowners, and home repairs that improve housing conditions and reduce fall risks. Every elder, across these programs, is screened to determine eligibility for public benefits (food, fuels, and healthcare benefits). When they identify elders who may be eligible, they assist in applying for these income-boosting benefits that strengthen their ability to age in health and in dignity.
For more resources & information, contact:
Peg Drisko, Executive Director
617-524-2555 x102
pdrisko@esacboston.org
Project Funded by GKF: The BMMP assists the city of Boston’s most vulnerable, elderly and disabled, adults (including African American women) who have difficulty with the routine tasks of money management. Through the services provided, our clients preserve their independence and avoid the worst effects of financial mismanagement – eviction, utility shut-off, and exploitation – and maximize their limited incomes to retain and/or regain economic security. Collaboration is an important component of the success of the BMMP – we rely on the support and expertise of area organizations to provide referrals and wrap-around supports that complement our service (meals, mental health support, transportation, home care, and other social services).
For more information, contact:
Ray Santos
617-522-6700 ext 344
grants@ethocare.org
Project Funded by GKF: This funding supports the Friendly Visiting program, which is dedicated to reducing social isolation among underserved older women of African descent across Boston. By matching isolated seniors with compassionate volunteers for regular home visits, the program preserves the dignity and enhances the quality of life for those facing mobility or financial challenges. These connections, built on shared interests and consistent companionship, bring joy and vital social interaction to those who need it most.
For more resources & information, contact: Patty Catalano, Director of Development and Communications 617.482.1510 x124 pcatalano@fw4elders.org
Projects Funded by GKF: Their Creative Connections program runs programs in public/affordable senior housing and senior centers serving elderly women of African descent. The grants provide instructor-led arts programming, which are culturally and linguistically informed and fosters creative connections that enhance their intergenerational programs.
The proceeds from their LBM Micro-grant allowed them to provide reliable internet access for this Fall’s Digital Divide program and housing complex in Boston. All of the participants were elderly, African American/Black women.
For more resources & information, contact:
Cynthia Wilkerson, Executive Director
617-524-8882
cwilkerson.bos@littlebrothers.org
Project Funded by GKF: Justice in Aging: Mass Senior Action Council is a grassroots organization working for social change that centers the voices of those directly impacted, particularly those who have been historically and systematically disadvantaged. In Boston, MSAC works to build the leadership and collective power of elderly African American/Black women, empowering them to use their own experiences and voices to shape policies that affect their health and well-being. Together they confront racial, economic, and gender inequities to achieve systemic change. As leaders and change agents, elderly African American/Black women have expanded access to affordable healthcare and community-based long-term care, reduced MBTA paratransit fares, and increased the development of subsidized elderly housing.
For more resources & information, contact:
Carolyn Villers, Executive Director
617-435-1926 / 617-435-1926
cvillers@masssenioraction.org
Project Funded by GKF: To ensure they can remain stably housed, this agency strives to create a targeted upstream homelessness prevention resource for low-income seniors, aged 65 and older who are waiting senior housing. They, along with other Grimes King Foundation past and present grantees, work to ensure that senior African American/Black women have a voice. A major part of the Casa Campaign is to build a strong coalition of seniors from across Massachusetts to lend their expertise, stories, and voices to change public policies that will improve the quality of life of the low-income elderly populations. MCH is currently designing a housing stability screening and has created a statewide coalition of seniors and partners from community-based organizations, faith communities, housing providers, and the health sector that will work together to increase housing subsidies through the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) directly targeted to low-income older adults.
For more resources & information, contact:
Celinet Sanchez, Director of Grants and Communications
781-595-7570 x 14
celinet@mahomeless.org
Project Funded by GKF: The Urban Farming Institute of Boston is continuing the work of their highly successful program to improve the lives of seniors in Boston’s Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan neighborhoods. “Fit Around the Farm” (FATF) provides seniors with nutrition instruction, cooking demonstrations, chair yoga, and gentle aerobics, all while building a stronger local community to decrease isolation and strengthen mental health.
For more resources & information, contact:
Patricia Spence, President & CEO
617-680-5378
spence@urbanfarminginstitute.org
Project Funded by GKF: This project funds a community outreach pilot to build a diverse pipeline of older adults for the new Treehouse at Olmsted Village in Mattapan. Treehouse creates unique, multi-generational affordable housing communities that foster mutual support between seniors, youth in the foster care system, and their caregivers. By centering “vital aging” and community purpose, this initiative ensures that older adults have the opportunity to live with dignity and impact within a supportive, intentional neighborhood.
For more resources & information, contact: Erika Kuester, Chief Executive Officer 413.527.7966 ekuester@treehousefoundation.org
Project Funded by GKF: This initiative launches a Walk Audit Academy cohort focused on the Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan neighborhoods. The program empowers elderly women of African descent to become community advocates for safer, more accessible, and walkable streets. Through specialized workshops and community-led walk audits, participants gain the tools to influence local urban planning, promoting health equity and creating more vibrant, safer public spaces for everyone in their community.
For more resources & information, contact: Emma Itri, Development and Communication Coordinator 978.424.6319 eitri@walkmass.org
Project Funded by GFK: Supports Club 1290 at Whittier Street Health Center in promoting the health, welfare, and socialization of elders aged 60 to 95. This peer-led group combats loneliness and isolation through engaging health workshops, fitness sessions, and social activities, providing members with vital community connections and awareness on preventative services.
For more resources & information, contact:
Christine Pajarillo, Vice President of Programs & Social Services
617.989.3212
Christine.Pajarillo@wshc.org
* Past Grantees
LBM MINI-GRANT RECIPIENTS
Below is a list of the remaining winners of our new Laura B. Morris (LBM) Mini-Grant, along with a brief description of their project.
Defray the costs of their health fair, during which participants receive free dental services, blood sugar, cholesterol, vision and hearing checks, as well as flu and COVID-19 shots and COVID home tests.
Supports AMW’s expansion of their arts workshops for African American/Black women and seniors in Boston, aiming to foster community connections and stress reduction. This grant aids in growing their annual participation and initiating a “train the trainer” program for senior service leaders.
Supports the launch of the Refreshing Seniors Connection project, an 8-12 week, wellness program aimed at helping older adults modify their own personal recipes. Additionally, they provide weekly gift cards enabling seniors to purchase the ingredients for their revised, healthy meals.
Support Bethel’s Planning Ahead program by assisting seniors to think through their end-of-life plans, by discussing with their families their final wishes about medical care, hospice, distribution of treasured items, and funeral plans.
Supports Boston Bridge in addressing the devaluation of care work, predominantly held by immigrants and individuals of African descent in Boston. This grant enhances the professional development, networking, and mentorship opportunities for care workers, responding to the growing demand and challenging work conditions in this sector.
The Elder Group is dedicated to eradicating food insecurity among our senior community by bridging the gap between immediate need and long-term sustainability. Through the expansion of their meal delivery services and a new community-based distribution program, they ensure that older adults who cannot shop or cook for themselves still have access to fresh, nutritious food. By partnering with local farms and food banks, Elder Group is set to directly support approximately 120 African American women in the coming year.
Supports EHDI’s Elder Student Pairing Program in enhancing service access for elderly African American/Black women who face digital barriers. This grant funds a consultant to improve program coordination and communication, directly benefiting 150 elderly women by addressing isolation and ensuring efficient outreach through partnerships like MCPHS.
https://mahealthyagingcollaborative.org/join/members/elder-health-care-disparities-coalition-inc/
To cater a healthy lunch for all seniors attending their monthly meetings – whether they can afford to pay for their meal or not.
With a focus on empowerment and mental well-being, Grandparents Silver Lining Inc. provides specialized workshops tailored to the unique challenges faced by Black female elders. Their holistic approach combines practical education with peer learning and a robust community outreach program. This year, they are expanding their impact through the “Adult Foster Care” stipend and informational seminars, aiming to strengthen the support network for at least 50 African American women.
Building on the success of their FY24 program—which exceeded expectations by providing fitness memberships to 27 residents at the Leyland Community: Hebrew SeniorLife continues to champion social connectivity. Their upcoming initiative focuses on the Simon C. Fireman Community in Randolph, hosting a multi-denominational holiday celebration designed to combat winter isolation. The event will bring together 50 residents, including at least 20 African American women, for a culturally inclusive season of music, food, and fellowship.
Enhance the tools, equipment, and resources used for their exercise classes, and underwrite the costs of exercise instructional videos, yoga mats, light weights, and other updated equipment for their Senior Center’s exercise programs.
https://bostonabcd.org/location/mattapan-family-service-center/
In partnership with the Elder Health Care Disparities Coalition and Charles Street AME Church, Dr. Lucy LLC is launching “Stronger Together.” This innovative pilot program combats loneliness through Afrocentric wellness programming led by Black physicians and therapists. By offering 12 weeks of holistic health, nutrition, and art sessions, the initiative creates 600 meaningful touchpoints for local elders, fostering resilience and self-care skills for approximately 50 participants.
The Sensational Seniors Exercise Program is the Flagship of the Reggie Lewis Center’s cardiovascular program. The Mission of the program is to maintain and improve the health of the members in a fun, safe environment. It also was developed to educate members on relevant health and fitness topics that promote healthy, lifelong behaviors.
https://www.rcc.mass.edu/reggie-lewis/programs/senior-programs.html
Supports the Witherspoon Institute’s inaugural GET LIT Thanksgiving Cook Off, pitting the Boston Fire Department against the Boston Police Department. This event highlights the GET LIT Book Ban-d literacy initiative, tackling youth learning challenges post-COVID, with collaborations including the Boys and Girls Club of Boston.
Urban Farming Institute helped to provide turkeys to 23 elderly African American women and their families last Thanksgiving.
* Past Grantees