PITCHING IN

Insurance company gives $100K to nonprofits

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico will support local nonprofits through its COVID-19 Community Collaborative Grant Fund with “10 rapid-response grants of $10,000 each ... (for) organizations focused on access to health care, behavioral health, housing and shelter, child and senior care, and COVID-19 health literacy and vaccine outreach,” according to a news release.

“BCBSNM is dedicated to standing by our fellow New Mexicans, and we are proud to offer our continued support in the fight against COVID-19,” said Janice Torrez, BCBSNM president, in a statement. “We are confident that the COVID-19 Community Collaborative Grant Fund will make an impact on the health and social challenges facing our state by providing vital services and access to care for young children, seniors and families during these critical times.”

The initiatives and organizations receiving the support are:

STATEWIDE

American Cancer Society: $10,000 to provide no-cost transportation to and from treatment-related appointments for cancer patients with unmet transportation needs through the New Mexico Paid Transportation Program.

PeopleWorks-NM: $10,000 to continue caregiver support groups, initiate a grief support group, and hold classes on mental health and substance abuse topics at no cost for community members and rural populations struggling with mental illness, substance abuse and caregiving stress.

CENTRAL NEW MEXICO

Casa de Salud (justice, access, support and solutions for health): $10,000 to provide COVID-19 vaccines, nursing support, education and outreach in Albuquerque’s South Valley.

Children’s Grief Center of New Mexico: $10,000 to offer immediate, trauma-informed grief support at no cost for New Mexicans of all ages who are grieving the death of a loved one due to COVID-19, suicide and other causes.

Rio Grande Community Development Corporation: $10,000 to provide virtual and in-person informational forums for the Spanishspeaking community about COVID-19 and vaccine options.

NORTHERN NEW MEXICO

Mesa to Mesa: $10,000 to provide minor home repairs at no cost to help low-income homeowners remain in their homes safely and securely through the Home Repair from the Heart program.

Somos Familia – Family Institute, Inc.: $10,000 to meet increased needs for mental and behavioral health services due to the pandemic by offering individual counseling services and therapeutic group sessions, including parenting classes, domestic violence therapy, substance and alcohol abuse therapy and other services.

SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO

Artesia Meals on Wheels: $10,000 to deliver one hot meal every weekday to seniors and those who are unable to prepare their own food.

Jardin de los Niños: $10,000 to supply basic needs items and monetary support for families experiencing homelessness, near homelessness and/ or job loss through the Jardin de los Niños COVID-19 Homeless Prevention Program.