Health grants aid area services

BANGOR – The $30,000 grant to Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center was just one of several grants Penobscot Valley Health Association made for 2001.

Other grants awarded include:

. Abnaki Girl Scout Council, Brewer, $6,000 to support a program designed to raise awareness about drugs, alcohol and assertiveness.

. Levant Elementary School, $5,300, to develop a 1-mile exercise fitness trail for people of all ages.

. Literacy Volunteers, Bangor, $6,500 to support the community-based program to help stop the cycle of illiteracy in recently homeless families.

. Northeast Occupational Ex-change, Newport, $2,000, to help low- and no-income recipients of mental health services to have access to fresh produce and agricultural experience by keeping a garden going.

. Penquis CAP, Bangor, $5,500 for a pilot project to determine whether distribution of emergency contraceptives to teen clients aids in pregnancy prevention and contributes to a decrease in teen pregnancy in Bangor, Milo and Guilford.

. United Way of Eastern Maine, Bangor, $5,000 to conduct a community assessment in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Hancock counties.

. Maine Alliance for Arts Education, Bangor, $10,000 for Building Community through the Arts, a school-based artist in residency program.

. My Friend’s Place, Bangor, $6,000 to provide social and recreational services to adults struggling with memory loss.

Dr. Frank Bragg is chairman of the committee that handled the grant applications. Maine Community Foundation in Ellsworth assists Penobscot Valley Health Association in managing its funds and carrying out its grant-making process.