Community Health Options awards eight grants to Maine nonprofits

LEWISTON — Lewiston-based Community Health Options has awarded grants to eight Maine nonprofit agencies working in community health.
Grant recipients are Bangor Region YMCA, town of Cranberry Isles Fire & Rescue Auxiliary, Mid-Coast Health Net (dba Knox County Health Clinic), National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI) Maine, Defend Our Health, Healthy Community Coalition, Healthy Acadia and New Mainers Public Health Initiative.
“We had a tremendous response to this round of grants, with 33 organizations submitting applications,” said Kevin Lewis, president and CEO of Health Options. “Working with our grant advisory council and learning about these organizations provided just a glimpse of the incredible number of significant community health initiatives taking place in our state, ranging from testing and treating contaminants in well water to providing better access to telemedicine and reducing second-hand smoke exposure.”
Now in its second year of funding, the mission of Health Options’ community giving program is to support community-based health and wellness in Maine. This grant cycle focused on Maine nonprofit organizations working to mitigate some factors that lead to the chronic health conditions and assist Maine people managing chronic illness to be their best selves – mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Community Health Options is the state’s only nonprofit, member-led health insurance organization.