Supporting Local Vaccination Efforts Through Small Businesses

Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) and Point32Health are collaborating on a project to provide support to small businesses in Fall River and New Bedford that promote the COVID-19 vaccine. The program, open to diverse-owned small businesses in the two cities, will provide $1,000 grants that can be used in a variety of ways related to the ongoing pandemic, including:

• Incentives for employees to get vaccinated (paid time off, vouchers, accommodations, etc.);
• Promotional materials located in the business to encourage employees and community members to get vaccinated;
• Purchase necessary protective materials for employees, such as PPE;  and
• Providing discounted or free goods and services to community members showing proof of vaccination.  

“Small businesses are key trusted resources in local communities, and as such, can play a critical role in helping to champion the COVID-19 vaccines,” said Kevin Rasch, Chief Business Diversity Officer for Point32Health. “We are excited to collaborate once again with the Lawyers for Civil Rights to provide much needed support during these trying times.”

Funding for this initiative was provided by Point32Health. The program is an extension of a collaboration between the two organizations in 2020, which helped local small businesses reopen. 

“As many features of the pandemic become endemic, it is critical to promote the economic revitalization of low-income and minority communities,” said Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, Executive Director of Lawyers for Civil Rights. “This is particularly important as our economy continues to transform in response to the pandemic — and as communities of color experience an uneven recovery. We commend Point32Health for launching this creative and meaningful program to support our communities.”

Small businesses can apply through a streamlined application process by visiting bit.ly/BGSmallBusinessSupport. All applications will be considered, and are due by December 2.

About Lawyers for Civil Rights

LCR | BizGrow provides free legal assistance, business support, and technical assistance to minority, immigrant, and women business owners—ensuring they encounter fewer obstacles and more opportunities. For nearly 20 years, LCR | BizGrow has helped close the wealth gap by fueling equitable economic growth and increasing access to economic justice. Programs include free legal representation, technical assistance, and workshops for small business owners on subjects such as entity formation, contracts, taxes, leases, and intellectual property.

About Point32Health

Point32Health is a leading health and wellbeing organization, delivering an ever-better health care experience to everyone in our communities. Building on the quality, nonprofit heritage of our founding organizations, Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, we leverage our experience and expertise to help people find their version of healthier living through a broad range of health plans and tools that make navigating health and wellbeing easier.

Our programs take a 360-degree view of health for our members—no matter their age, health, race, identity or income—and our Foundation and Institute work to improve population health. We use empathy to understand what’s important to those we serve, always making their priorities our own. And we work to guide and empower people by bringing together wide-ranging partners and perspectives to create new approaches that make a real difference for both our industry and our 2.2 million members across New England.