Malama Family Recovery Center was awarded a $21,443 grant from HMSA Foundation to support its BabySAFE (Substance-Abuse Free Environment) program.
The grant will help Malama Family Recovery Center, which assists substance-addicted Maui women and their children, provide community outreach services including prevention, early intervention and referrals.
"We're very pleased to be given the opportunity to restore this much-needed community service. We were saddened by the dissolution of this important and highly effective therapeutic program when we served 12 to 15 women per month, seeking BabySAFE services," said Lisa Ponichtera, Malama Family Recovery Center clinical director. "The staff at Malama Family Recovery Center have carefully developed a monthly timeline of goals to help facilitate services effectively, to the community."
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Malama Family Recovery Center Clinical Director Lisa Ponichtera (left) and Malama Family Recovery Center CEO Jud Cunningham receive a $21,443 grant check from HMSA Foundation’s Meryam Leong.
The HMSA Foundation was established in 1986 by the Hawai'i Medical Service Association to stimulate research of issues that confront Hawaii's health care industry. The foundation awards between $1 million and $1.4 million in grants each year.
"HMSA's decision to fund the restoration of this program shows a true spirit of pono and its ideals, taking a giant step toward increased humanity for our Maui community," said Jud Cunningham, Malama Family Recovery Center's chief executive officer. "This gift not only benefits the innocent, but the community we are committed to help."
For more information about Malama Family Recovery Center's BabySAFE program, call 877-7717 or email lponichtera@malamafamilyrecovery.org.
