Blue Mountain Community Foundation recently awarded grants from the First Fruits Fund, a component fund of BMCF.

The First Fruits Fund was established in 2008 with a generous grant from the Vista Hermosa Foundation.  Since that time, the Fund has made 66 grants exceeding $550,000.

The stated goal of the First Fruits Fund is to “encourage collaborative and innovative approaches to building self-sufficiency for the most under-served in our communities, including improved access to such basic needs as housing, food, education and livable wages.”  Founders believe that the most impactful way to achieve that goal is to support community-based initiatives that empower people themselves to identify their needs and collectively own the process of change.

Over the course of the next few weeks the Foundation will announce the 12 recent grantees. Stay posted!

The first grantee is…

Community Health Assessment Task Force (CHAT) $500

CHAT is a group of leaders from across the community focused on improving the provision of local mental health services.  With the help of nationally-regarded consultants, representatives from local hospitals, private practice, social service agencies, local government and school districts local leaders assembled to tackle this issue.

Meetings began in March 2012, with participants describing the impact of mental health issues on schools, law enforcement/legal system, medical system and social services.  Plus they focused on the need for an improved, comprehensive approach to improve local mental health services, access, delivery and resources.

Currently, CHAT is identifying existing mental health resources and determining resources that should be available for a community with similar demographics.

The grant from the First Fruits Fund of $500 will assist with underwriting the process.