YOU, Inc., an affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation, was the recent recipient of a generous Activation Fund grant in the amount of  $56,795 from the Health Foundation of Central MA. In the communities we mutually serve, cultural and linguistic inequities, poverty, and transportation challenges prevent vulnerable children and families from receiving vital behavioral healthcare services, and the wraparound supports that will promote healing, and stability.

To address these significant language and practical barriers to accessing behavioral health services in South County, the Activation Fund grant will assist us to develop a Bi-Lingual Welcome Center at our co-located Southbridge Behavioral Health Center and the Southbridge Family Resource Center. Collectively, the Southbridge Behavioral Health and Family Resource Centers provide individual, family and group therapy; evidence-based parent education groups; information and referral; case management; and other opportunities for children and families in need.

The Health Foundation’s strategic investment in translation services, accessible facilities, and culturally aligned therapeutic tools and services answers a demonstrated and urgent need in Southbridge and surrounding communities.