MV Community Services receives large gift for mental health services

By Aaron Macy - June 28, 2007

Martha's Vineyard Community Services (MVCS) Tuesday officially thanked the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Community Benefit Program and Sen. Robert O'Leary for a $150,000 contribution to the Island social services organization.

In a brief ceremony, Julia Burgess, MVCS executive director, said the money would be used to support Island mental health and substance abuse services through the Island Counseling and Disability Services program. She said the clinic's clients would be the ultimate beneficiaries.

The attendees at the ceremony, which was followed by a lunch, included community services board members, employees, clients, Martha's Vineyard Hospital chief executive officer Tim Walsh and Joan Quinlan, MGH community benefit director.

Mr. O'Leary, who played a key role in the funding, was unable to attend the press conference, because the state senate was called back into session to continue the budget debate.

Ms. Burgess said a portion of the contribution will used to help renovate facilities used by the Daybreak program, which helps mentally ill individuals build social skills and enter the work force.

In her remarks, Alice Cook, MVCS Island Counseling Center director, said the funding would increase client access to clinic professionals and doctors.

Despite the donation, MVCS, the Vineyard's multi-agency social services organization, still needs more funding, because demand for mental health and substance abuse services is well above the state average, Ms. Burgess told The Times.

The donation is a direct result of the broadening relationship between the Martha's Vineyard Hospital, now a member with MGH of Partners HealthCare, and the Vineyard community, according to a MGH press release.

On March 1, Martha's Vineyard Hospital officially became an affiliate of the Massachusetts General Hospital and a member of Partners HealthCare.

As an affiliate of Mass General, the hospital is part of Partners HealthCare System, a nonprofit founded in 1994 by MGH and Brigham and Women's Hospital, both in Boston, that includes Newton-Wellesley Hospital, North Shore Medical Center, Faulkner Hospital, McLean Hospital, and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

Martha's Vineyard Community Services, a private, non-profit organization, provides a variety of social services to residents on a sliding scale. For more information, call 508-693-7900.