A group of charities working in health, social advocacy, youth development and community support have received grant funding from the private, for-profit Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM), in a move aimed at strengthening community partnerships and expanding support for vulnerable groups across the island.

The grants were presented in a brief ceremony at the university on Tuesday, as senior associate dean of external affairs Dr Rhonda McIntyre praised the organisations for their dedication to improving lives and creating opportunities for vulnerable groups.

Among the organisations receiving grants were the Verdun House Substance Abuse Foundation, Rotary Club of Barbados, Rotary Club of Barbados South, Colon Cancer Initiative, Healthier Nation Initiative Foundation, Hope Foundation, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados, Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness, Eden Lodge Youth Charitable Trust, Barbados Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Foundation, and the Pleion Foundation.