August 18, 2006

MGH supports violence prevention efforts

The MGH, along with Partners HealthCare and the BWH, are three of four health care organizations supporting the Boston Public Health Commission's goal to end violence in Boston's neighborhoods. The MGH contributed $25,000 to help fund the commission's request for proposals from community organizations that provide violence prevention and intervention programs.

Funding made available by the hospitals and the City of Boston reached $108,000. Seventeen local health centers and community-based programs and services that promote violence prevention were awarded funding. Included among the recipients was the MGH Charlestown HealthCare Center, which received $8,000 to support its violence prevention and intervention services.

"We are pleased that MGH Charlestown received this support," says Peggy Carolan-Bolognese, administrative director for MGH Charlestown. "The funds will be used to train both staff and community members in managing conflict and learning strategies for preventing and diffusing aggressive or threatening behavior. It's our hope that with this type of training and education, violence in our community will be reduced. We look forward to collaborating with the CharlesNewtown housing development, which also received funding."

For more information about the MGH Charlestown violence prevention program, call Carolan-Bolognese at (617) 724-8138.