Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust Awards Grants To Nonprofits

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

May 26, 2022

The Main Street Community Foundation's Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust has awarded more than $370,000 in grants to five local nonprofits.

"A total of $374,445 was just awarded to organizations working to improve the lives of Southington residents," said Samantha Rajotte, scholarship and program officer with the Main Street Community Foundation.

Rajotte said that the recipient organizations are those who are working to help address the health and healthcare needs of town residents.

The Arc of Southington received an $80,000 grant to build an outdoor pavilion that will provide outdoor program and gathering spaces to be utilized by the clients and families they serve. The Arc of Southington supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Prudence Crandall Center has been awarded a $50,000 grant to continue their work in prevention and intervention in Southington.

"The Prudence Crandall Center has been providing care and support to individuals affected by domestic violence for as long as the Trust has existed," Rajotte said.

The Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA has been awarded a $100,000 grant that will be used for unrestricted operating support.

"This grant will help to sustain operations and provide programs and opportunities that enhance the quality of living in their community," said Rajotte.

A $60,000 grant has also been awarded to The LEAF (Lewis Educational Agricultural Farm) to continue school and community programs. LEAF's programs focus on agricultural education and ensuring a healthy and sustainable food supply in Southington.

Finally, United Way of Southington has been awarded an $84,445 grant which will be used to continue the Senior Transportation program. This program provides free rides to Southington seniors in collaboration with Senior Transportation Services of New Britain.

The Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust was established in 1973. It has been supporting the health and wellness needs of Southington residents for nearly 50 years.

The Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust was transferred to the Main Street Community Foundation in 2004. Since then, the Foundation has awarded nearly $11.9 million from the Trust.

For more information on the Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust, or Main Street Community Foundation, call 860-583-6363 or visit mainstreetfoundation.org

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.