The Fairfield County Community Foundation has awarded $15,000 to CancerCare of Connecticut in support of the nonprofit’s Outreach to Diverse Communities Program. The funds were provided by an anonymous donor who receives philanthropic advisory services from the Community Foundation. The initiative is designed to reduce health disparities relative to cancer through culturally competent outreach to Latinos and people of other diverse ethnicities in Fairfield County. Services offered include cancer-related counseling, education, practical help and direct financial assistance.
Lisa Cannella, regional director of CancerCare of Connecticut, said the grant allows the organization to help “meet the growing need for the program’s services. We have broadened our ability to meet the needs of the Latino community and underserved individuals and families from other diverse ethnic backgrounds by reaching out through existing service providers and faith communities.”
Of the nearly 500 Latinos and individuals from other diverse ethnic groups served by the program last year, more than 250 were Fairfield County residents and nearly $40,000 in direct financial assistance was provided to 139 of these Fairfield County residents to defray treatment-related expenses like transportation, childcare and pain and comfort medications.
CancerCare of Connecticut provides free, professional support services to anyone in Connecticut affected by cancer: people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones, and the bereaved. CancerCare programs—including counseling and support groups, education, financial assistance and practical help—are provided by professional oncology social workers and are completely free of charge. Last year more than 3,000 Connecticut adults, children and families were served. Find out more about the organization at www.cancercare.org.
The Fairfield County Community Foundation, which is headquartered in Norwalk, promotes the growth of community and regional philanthropy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish their own charitable funds or contribute to existing funds focused on specific areas of need or communities in Fairfield County. The Community Foundation also provides philanthropic advisory services, and develops and leads initiatives to tackle critical community issues. It is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards for community foundations. The Foundation has awarded over $110M in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. For more information, visit www.fccfoundation.org.
