joppa flats at sunrise

Charitable Partner Spotlight

FALL 2024

The month of October shines a light on two important causes: Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  

We are passionate about raising awareness of these efforts by financially supporting local organizations and events that have made it their mission to work towards eradicating and finding a cure for both.
 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer services available through Anna Jaques Hospital – from mammography to treatment to surgery – means that women and men in our community receive the care they need without having to travel far from home. The Bank has proudly supported the availability of these services for years, from funding 3D Mammography available in Newburyport, Amesbury and Haverhill to partnering with AJH on an annual fundraiser to raise vital funds.

For the 14th straight year, the Institution for Savings will team up AJH to raise awareness and funds for local breast care services at Shine: A Sparkling Fundraiser for AJH Breast Care Services  on Thursday, October 10th at Blue Ocean Event Center. All proceeds will go towards AJH’s new comprehensive breast care center. 

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center’s mission is to empower individuals and engage communities to end the cycle of domestic violence (DV). The team provides comprehensive services for adult and child survivors, offers programs in schools to empower students to make positive and healthy decisions including Girls Inc., and much more.

For decades, the IFS has proudly been the Presenting Sponsor of Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center’s Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence which this year takes place on Sunday, October 6th. More than 100 IFS employees, family and friends are set to walk to #endDV in our communities – join us! Learn more: jeannegeigercrisiscenter.org/events/annual-walk-against-domestic-violence

Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC) provides free and confidential services to people experiencing domestic abuse. The team offers services to survivors across the North Shore – from a 24-hour helpline, emergency shelter, legal services, counseling and more.

IFS proudly supports HAWC’s programs and events including its annual Walk for HAWC every spring.  


SUMMER 2024

The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf Supports the Needs of Hearing-impaired Youth

The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf (CCCBSD) one of the Bank's long-time community partners, provides highly specialized academic programs to support the individual learning and communication needs of students from birth through age 22 and includes preschool, elementary, middle and high school students. Located in Beverly, the school also provides services for children with autism, cerebral palsy and more.

CCCBSD's mission is to enhance the lives of deaf and hearing children and their families living with communication and developmental challenges by providing comprehensive educational and communication-rich programs. The school is fully accredited and licensed by the State of Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Additional programs it offers include summer and after school programs; the Parent-Infant/Toddler Program;  district-wide school consulting;  outreach programs;  and American Sign Language instruction for infants and children, adults, families and the community.
 
One of the ways the Institution for Savings supports CCCBSD is by sponsoring its annual Lone Gull 10K Road Race which will take place on September 22nd at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester.
 
More information about the school's extensive programming as well as ways to support its mission and offerings can be found on the CCCBSD website.

The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf logo and collage



















SPRING 2024

Dirty Hands Project is Striving to Make
Mental Health a Priority for All. 

Dirty Hands Project - Charitable Partner Spotlight
Dirty Hands Project was created by Josh and Liz Moughan after losing their son Ty at the age of 18 to suicide in August 2023. In Ty's memory, Dirty Hands Project was established as a non-profit organization committed to making mental health a priority by supporting people and programs striving to understand and address the needs of people affected by mental illness. 

  • For those suffering, it focuses on bringing increased awareness to and education around mental health as a way to help individuals feel comfortable sharing their struggles and asking for help.
  • For those supporting others with mental illness, the goal is to help families and friends understand and navigate the crucial steps in detection, treatment and advocacy.
This past spring the Institution for Savings proudly supported and participated in the Dirty Hands Project Hike for a Change - a 200-mile walk along the Bay Circuit Trail from Kingston, MA to Newburyport, MA. 

From the Dirty Hands Project website: "We are done with hope. It's time for action. We are over stigma. It's time for open conversations. We owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to normalize sharing our struggles and asking for help. And we need you to help us achieve our mission."
 
Learn more about The Dirty Hands Project
 
IFS employees Dirty Hands Project for Hike for Change
Institution for Savings employees proudly joined the Dirty Hands Project for the Hike for a Change

SPRING 2024

Supporting High School Students and Families Planning for the Next Chapter  

Empowering youth with critical real-life financial knowledge is vitally important to us. So is supporting programs that make high school students' dreams for their next chapter a reality...like College Affordable. 
 
While the cost of college continues to rise, recent statistics show that that half of students eligible for a Federal Pell Grant never complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) because it is too complicated and confusing.  That is money left on the table that could help students finance their education with less loan debt.

College Affordable logo 





College Affordable is a non-profit organization that helps families reduce college costs, minimize debt and maximize their higher education choices. Executive Director Brian Gardiner started College Affordable with partners Gregg Cohen and Polly Ribatt after trying to navigate how to pay for his own child's college education. 

College Affordable helps students and families identify available financial aid funds from the government, colleges and third party providers. Additionally College Affordable helps: 

College Affordable members with President & CEO Mike Jones
  • Create a realistic family budget to measure affordability
  • Optimize scholarship and grant opportunities at target colleges
  • Assist with completion of aid and grant applications
  • Review and interpret award letters to allow for fully informed decisions
  • Identify additional non-college scholarships
  • Review potential lenders to select the best opportunity

Thanks to the Bank's financial support of College Affordable, CA is working with more than 1,000 Newburyport High and Triton Regional High School students in 2024. 

Learn more about College Affordable.

Pictured: (Daily News Photo by Keith Sullivan, L-R) NHS Principal Andy Wulf, NHS College & Career Counselor Aaron Smith, Triton College & Career Counselor Karyn Cassidy and Triton Principal Patrick Kelly. (Back) Newburyport School Superintendent Sean Gallagher, IFS President/CEO Mike Jones, and College Affordable Executive Director Brian Gardiner.


WINTER 2023

Striving for Food and Housing Security One Community at a Time

One in 3 people in Massachusetts experienced food insecurity in the past year, with 70% of our food-insecure neighbors living right here in the eastern part of the state. 
 
We are fortunate to have a number of organizations within our market that are committed to being strong partners in the work to end hunger and its roots causes. Please support them in any way you can.

our neighbors table dinner crewOur Neighbors’ Table is committed to establishing a community that provides for the whole person with nourishing food, kindness and dignity.

  • The Markets at Our Neighbors’ Table are a different kind of grocery store. Each location offers a beautiful, modern market where fresh, healthy food is made available - for free! Each week, you can shop, at no cost, for fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, fish, chicken and more.

  • Delivery Service. Our Neighbors' Table is committed to providing fresh, wholesome food where and when people need it. Delivery services are offered to individuals who are home-bound in Amesbury, Groveland, Merrimac, Newburyport or Salisbury in coordination with the local Councils on Aging. 

  • Community Meals are served every Wednesday from 4 to 6 PM at the Main Street Congregational Church, 145 Main Street, Amesbury. Take-out service begins at 3 PM.
  • Holiday Programs at ONT include Thanksgiving meal assistance and groceries, as well as other holiday programs. 
For more information and to learn how you can help, visit the ONT website.
food market tourThe Salem Pantry’s mission is to work collaboratively to empower our diverse local and regional communities by ensuring the essential right to convenient and reliable access to healthy food.
  • At The Market, located at 47 Leavitt Street, Salem, the shelves are stocked with locally grown produce, dairy, eggs, milk, bread, and protein choices, all of which are completely free. Shoppers get to experience a dignified grocery-store atmosphere as they shop.
  • Pop Ups. Visit one of the Pantry's pop up sites conveniently located throughout Salem and find a wide variety of fresh, healthy food completely free. 
  • The Salem Pantry Home Delivery program is a service for food insecure members of the Salem community who are physically, mentally, or emotionally unable to attend any of its locations.
  • Community Partnerships. The Pantry's community partnerships provide reliable food access for students, residents and clients of partners.
For more information and to learn how you can help, visit The Salem Pantry website. 
Group in food pantry kitchenThe mission of The Open Door is to alleviate the impact of hunger in our community. To accomplish this mission they use a variety of practical strategies to connect people to good food, advocate on behalf of those in need, and engage others in the work of building food security.
  • Gloucester and Ipswich Community Food Pantries. These food pantries provide curbside pick-up for free, with three-to-five-day supplies of emergency groceries to income-qualified residents in The Open Door's service area.
  • Mobile Markets. The Open Door offers a variety of Mobile Markets in various locations. The program provides qualifying individuals with up to 20 pounds of fresh produce and protein choices at no cost, as well as nutrition education and outreach. The produce is grown locally and purchased wholesale or is acquired from the Greater Boston Food Bank.
  • Second Glance Thrift Store. Donations of gently used clothing, shoes, household items, linens, books, CDs, furniture, jewelry, knickknacks, and artwork help fund food pantry and other food resource programs serving people on the North Shore.
  • Open Door Meals. The Open Door hosts a variety of meal offerings: Community Meals, Senior Soup and Salad, SNAP/Food Stamp Assistance, Summer Meals for Kids and more!
For more information and to learn how you can help, visit The Open Door website
citizens inn donationCitizens Inn helps families and individuals who are experiencing a housing crisis or food insecurity. Its full spectrum of services provides comprehensive assistance to each person based on their specific needs.
  • Haven from Hunger Food Pantry. The Food Pantry at Haven from Hunger provided over 1,100 unique households per month from Peabody, Salem, and Lynnfield with fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy, and non-perishable goods last year. They sourced over 2.1 million pounds from the Greater Boston Food Bank and rescued from local grocery stores and restaurants for disbursement in the pantry and for the Community Meals.
  • Community Meals. Community Meals offer guests a filling, nutritious supper in a friendly atmosphere. 
    There is no cost for dinner and is open for any persons who are able to join Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 4 PM-5:30 PM.
  • Resource Center. The Resource Center is the newest program in its build-out of the upper floor at Haven from Hunger. Services are available as a walk-in during the Pantry or Community Meal hours or by appointment.
  • Citizens Inn Transition, established in 1990, provides comprehensive case management to families in early recovery in a transitional sober housing environment.
  • Citizens Inn Between is an emergency program for families experiencing homelessness. It can house six families at a time, and includes one fully handicapped-accessible room. 
  • Citizens Inn Homes Program works to ensure families remain stable in permanent housing after placement out of shelter. It provides case management to families placed out of shelter into permanent housing and by developing and maintaining a portfolio of affordable rental opportunities for families.
For more information on these and other programs and to learn how you can help, visit the Citizens Inn website.