The Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Addiction Medicine program recently received a $25,000 community grant from the Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church. The grant will support services and new clinical space for the growing program. From left to right: Renee Rodriguez-Goodemote, MD; Joshua D. Zamer, MD, DABAM, director of Addiction Medicine; Amy Raimo, executive director, Saratoga Hospital Foundation and vice president for community engagement; Pastor Kate Forer of the Presbyterian New England Congregational Church; and John Gamble, Community Grant Program committee member of the Presbyterian New England Congregational Church.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, March 9, 2018—In the midst of news from the U.S. Center for Disease Control that there has been a 30 percent increase in opioid overdoses in just 14 months, Saratoga Hospital’s Community Health Center received a bright spot of much-needed relief from the Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church – a community grant of $25,000 for its substance abuse program.
“We cannot express our appreciation enough to Pastor Kate Forer and the Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church,” said Amy Raimo, executive director, Saratoga Hospital Foundation and vice president for community engagement. “Their Community Grant Program Committee recognized the critical need for local addiction services and provided us this generous gift to expand our Addiction Medicine program at the Community Health Center.”
Joshua D. Zamer, MD, DABAM, director of Addiction Medicine, said, “When an addict is ready to commit to quit, we have to be ready. This $25,000 grant will support services and new clinical space for the growing number of patients who desperately need the compassionate, comprehensive treatment we can provide. We are very grateful to the good people at PNECC.”
According to Forer, affectionately known as Pastor Kate, the Community Grant Program just completed its first year.
“We are committed to making a difference in our local community,” she said. “Our application and interview process is quite thorough, and we were impressed with the successful work of the addiction program at the Community Health Center. We’ve seen the destruction addiction can cause families and the human spirit, and we’re glad to do what we can to help.”
There were two other programs that received grants: the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Council of Saratoga County; and Rebuilding Together Saratoga County. The Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church is located at 24 Circular Street in Saratoga Springs. Nonprofit organization are welcome to apply to the Community Grant Program by calling the church office at 518-584-6091.
The Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Addiction Medicine program is located in the Saratoga Community Health Center at 24 Hamilton Street in Saratoga Springs. For more information about addiction services, please call 518-886-5601 or visit SaratogaCommunityHealthCenter.org.