Jean Wood Preston Grants Announced
By: Ralph Smith

Over 40 years ago a generous member of our congregation made a donation to First Parish in Lincoln to provide support for charitable causes both she and First Parish believed in.  To qualify the core mission of the organization must be to provide services or advocacy consistent with the original gift, for example; affordable housing, enrichment programs for youth, health and human services, social justice, disaster relief, protecting our natural environment.  Since it’s inception the original bequest has provided support to dozens of worthy organizations.

The Outreach Committee is pleased to announce the 2023 recipients–

Second Chance Cars – $25,000

A small Concord based organization that provides refurbished cars to marginalized, lower income individuals so they have the ability to travel to their job site and earn a living.

Community Day Center of Waltham – $10,000

This contribution will provide support for their building expansion and the addition of more showers and laundry facilities for unhoused individuals who live on the streets with no shower alternatives.

Lionheart Foundation – $25,000

A leader in the field of assisting incarcerated youth, this contribution provides support for the development of e-learning materials to further the preparation for return to society.

Friends of Waltham Schools – $25,000

This contribution will provide new age-appropriate furniture to the only school program in Waltham and vicinity that provides preschool and adult ESL training for immigrant families.

Total: $85,000