Waters Insurance Helps Westbrook Health Services Assist Those Battling Homelessness

Photo Caption: (L-R) Timothy Baer, Westbrook engagement specialist; Kevin Trippett, Westbrook president and CEO;  John Fanta, Waters Insurance agent; and Ray Fanta, Waters Insurance president in front of Westbrook Health Services main office on 7th Street in Parkersburg. 

Parkersburg, WV, July 13, 2020, -- Waters Insurance Agency in conjunction with Westfield Insurance Foundation today announced the awarding of a $10,000 grant to Westbrook Health Services. Westbrook was nominated by Waters Insurance Agency to receive funding to help the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) as part of the Westfield Legacy of Caring program. Each year, top-performing Westfield independent insurance agencies, like Waters Insurance Agency, are invited to nominate a local nonprofit for the Legacy of Caring program. The program invests in communities and helps impact disaster recovery, family stability or safety.

“In recent years, much attention has been given to the heartbreaking issue of homelessness in our community. The coronavirus pandemic has further amplified the financial difficulties and uncertainties of many. We were pleased to serve as a conduit of funds to the PATH program as it continues its mission of helping those in the most need,” said Elizabeth Fanta, Waters Insurance VP agency operations.

Westbrook is a State of WV PATH Provider. The PATH program supports the delivery of outreach and services to individuals with serious mental illnesses and those with co-occurring substance use disorders who are experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness. Westbrook provides community-based outreach, case management, limited housing services, mental health services and substance abuse assistance. During the latest reporting period more than 300 individuals received engagement or services from Westbrook’s PATH.

“The Legacy of Caring grant will have a direct impact on our PATH program and will help us provide crucial support to our homeless population that are struggling with mental health issues,” said Westbrook Engagement Specialist Timothy Baer. “The needs for these services continues to grow during this pandemic and we are so grateful for the generous support of the Westfield Insurance Foundation.”

The annual Point in Time count is conducted every January and provides a snapshot of the number of homeless individuals in the county to the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness. The most recent count showed that 58 individuals were without shelter in Wood County.

This year, the Westfield Insurance Foundation donated more than a half million dollars to neighborhoods across the country. Waters Insurance is one of 50 agencies that nominated a nonprofit, including Westbrook Health Services for the Westfield Legacy of Caring grant program. Awarding grants through the program is an extension of the fundamental role that insurance plays every day in stabilizing families, businesses and communities in times of uncertainty. Westfield is proud to work with their independent agents in distributing over $3 million since 2015.

“Together with our agency partners, Westfield continues to build on the strong commitment to caring that the founders of our company imagined,” said Ed Largent, Westfield President, CEO, board chair and Westfield Insurance Foundation chairman. “At Westfield, we want to give our communities everything we can: Protection, safety and support and our commitment doesn’t stop there.”

About Waters Insurance

Established in 1964, Waters Insurance Agency is the founding entity of Fanta Insurance Inc., which comprises Waters Insurance Agency, Landfried-Fanta Insurance Agency, and Fleming Insurance Agency. With locations in Parkersburg, Ripley and St Marys, Fanta Insurance, Inc. offers a network of 12 licensed agents serving more than 5,000 customers throughout West Virginia and neighboring states. A nationally recognized Trusted Choice ® independent insurance agency, Waters Insurance Agency offers insurance products from more than 15 leading insurance carriers such as AAA, Encova, Dairyland, Panhandle, Progressive, The Hartford, Safeco and Westfield.

About Westbrook Health Services

Westbrook Health Services, is a non-profit 501(c)(3), Comprehensive Community Behavioral Health Care Provider. We are licensed within eight surrounding counties: Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt and Wood. We work collaboratively with local substance abuse coalitions, Family Resource Networks (FRNs), schools, law enforcement, and hospitals to provide the best services possible for our community. Westbrook has been meeting the needs of our community since 1949, providing vital care to individuals with mental health, addiction and developmental disability challenges. For more information, visit www.westbrookhealth.org.

About Westfield Insurance Foundation

Westfield Insurance Foundation was established in 2005 as an independent private foundation endowed by Westfield Insurance. In keeping with the values of Westfield Insurance, the Foundation exists as a dedicated community and industry partner; concentrating resources to have an impact on safety, disaster recovery and family stability. The Foundation donates over $3 million annually to a variety of charities.

About Westfield

Westfield was founded in 1848 by a small group of hard-working farmers who believed in the promise of the future and the power of the individual. Today, as one of the nation’s leading property and casualty (P&C) companies, we remain true to their vision and are dedicated to your protection and prosperity and to the progress of our community. Visit westfieldinsurance.com for more information.