Rick’s Place Receives $25,000 Grant from Community Foundation

SPRINGFIELD — Rick’s Place Inc. has been awarded a $25,000 Flexible Funding grant from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Flexible Funding grants are awarded through a highly competitive process designed to support organizations whose work aligns with the foundation’s strategic focus areas and regional priorities.

The grant will provide general operating support to advance the 2026 priorities of Rick’s Place, with a primary focus on relocating to a larger space to meet the growing demand for grief support services. A new location will enable Rick’s Place to serve more families, expand peer grief support programming, and offer a welcoming environment that fosters caring connection and community. Grant funding will also support targeted outreach to help ensure families across the region know where to turn for grief support.

Grief can have a profound impact on youth and families, influencing emotional well-being, learning, behavior, and family dynamics. Access to consistent, age-appropriate grief support helps reduce isolation and strengthen coping and resilience for both youth and caregivers, underscoring the importance of continued investment in services like those provided by Rick’s Place.

“We are deeply grateful to the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for recognizing the importance of grief support for youth and families and for investing in work that helps ensure families do not have to navigate loss alone,” said Therese Ross, executive director of Rick’s Place.