Mayor Edward M. Lambert, Jr. and Partners for a Healthier Community, Inc. awarded eleven micro-grants to community organizations and individuals at a September 9, 2005 news event at Government Center. The grants, which will fund projects that address the five Healthy City Priority Areas, were awarded to Michelle Sylvaria for "Biodiversity Days", Jeanne Santos for "Maplewood Hello Neighbor", Bill Daponte "Hip Hop With Us!", Maria Solis for "Hispanic Festival", Michelle Frois for "Corky Row Keeping It Safe", Kathy Schedler-Clark for the "New Destination Project", Tom Khoury and Paul Leite for the "Peaceful Coalition", Kathy Ferreira for the North End "Playground Search", Donna Payor for People, Inc. "Recreation Supports", Natalie Melo for the "Tot Lot Spruce Up", and Alyssa Silvaria for "Youth 4 Healthy Habitats ". Dr. David Weed, Healthy City Fall River Coordinator and Chairman of Partners for a Healthier Community, the Mass. Dept. of Public Health CHNA (Community Health Network Area) serving Greater Fall River noted that "These are all excellent examples of what people can do with small resources to make a big difference in both individual and community health." 
 

(Top row) Dr. Weed describes each of the eleven projects that will be funded through the micro-grants. (Middle row) Mayor Lambert introduces Ellen Banach, Vice-President of Southcoast Hospitals, who provided linkage funding for the micro-grants to the CHNA and congratulates Donna Payer of People, Inc. (Bottom row) Micro-grant awardee. Maria Solis of the Iglesia de Dios speaks with awardee Bill DaPonte of the Diabetes Association. Alyssa Silveria, President of Bishop Connolly's chapter of Habitat for Humanity, is interviewed by Herald News reporter Kathy Durand while Ellen Banach of Southcoast Hospitals Group is interviewed by ComCast News Nine.