Lynn Community Health Center Awarded $50,000 Grant from the Amelia Peabody Foundation to Expand ACE Team Services

December 17^th, 2024

Lynn, MA – Lynn Community Health Center (LCHC) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Amelia Peabody Foundation to support the expansion and enhancement of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Team. This funding will allow LCHC to strengthen its critical services for children and families impacted by traumatic events in the community.

The ACE Team was developed in partnership with the Lynn Police Department (LPD) and Lynn Public Schools (LPS) to provide trauma-informed outreach and resources for families in the aftermath of violence or other traumatic events. Since its inception in 2020, the ACE Team has received over 1,000 referrals, connecting families to essential services such as counseling, childcare, food assistance, and housing support.

With this new funding, LCHC will collaborate with Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC), a leading domestic violence agency in the region, to address the growing need for specialized support for families affected by domestic violence, which accounts for over 55% of ACE Team referrals. The grant will support the addition of a HAWC Domestic Violence Specialist to the ACE Team, enhancing expertise in domestic violence intervention, outreach, and advocacy.

The funding will also sustain the vital participation of key ACE Team partners, including the LPD Youth Services Detective and the LPS Associate Director of Social Emotional Learning, ensuring a coordinated, multi-sector approach to supporting families and building resiliency.

“We are excited that the Amelia Peabody Foundation is funding the expansion of our ACE Team, a partnership between Lynn Police, Lynn Public Schools, Lynn Community and now HAWC. We have seen the highest number of police responses where children are impacted are connected to Domestic Violence,” shared Sarah Eilers, Director of School-Based Health Center Behavioral Health programs at LCHC. “We are grateful to add the expertise of our HAWC partners along with our existing ACE team in responding to the needs of children and families with the hope of mitigating the impact of adverse childhood experiences.”

Lynn Police Detective Jeff Trahant & ACE Team Community Health Worker Andrea Villeda

ACE Team Program Coordinator & SBHC Clinician at Classical High School, Danitza Zambrana-Gonzalez

“This generous grant from the Amelia Peabody Foundation enables us to deepen our commitment to the children and families of Lynn,” said Brenda Rodriguez, CEO of LCHC. “By expanding the ACE Team and strengthening partnerships, we can provide timely interventions that address trauma, promote healing, and improve health outcomes in our community.”

For more information about the ACE Team and LCHC’s work, please visit www.LynnCHC.org or contact Meaghen Hamill, Chief of Staff, at 781-596-2502 ext. 2706.

 

About Lynn Community Health Center:
Lynn Community Health Center is a leading provider of comprehensive healthcare services in the Greater Lynn area, dedicated to improving health outcomes and strengthening families through advocacy, treatment, and community partnerships.

About the Amelia Peabody Foundation:
The Amelia Peabody Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts, focusing on initiatives that improve the lives of children, families, and underserved communities.

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