Mercy is providing $500,000 in grants to nearly 30 organizations serving children and elderly, homeless and uninsured people across five states.
The purpose of Mercy’s grants is to provide support for community-based programs consistent with Mercy’s mission and vision that align with an identified community health need. Mercy Caritas (Latin for “charity”) is in its 36th year.
Of the $500,000 awarded, $450,000 are Mercy Caritas grants, while $50,000 in grants were awarded to Sisters of Mercy working to directly serve people in poverty. This funding will impact more than 200,000 people in five states.
Receiving grants in the St. Louis area are:
Feed My People – The organizations’ Christian Faith in Transformation program utilizes trained staff to conduct assessments for clients. Identifying clients’ social determinants of health needs enables Feed My People to assist individuals who require housing utilities, transportation, access to health care, mental and behavior health problems and/or are experiencing food insecurity.
Mercy Professional Services Inc. – The program provides free or low-fee counseling to members of the community in need.
Nurses for Newborns – To prevent infant and maternal deaths, child abuse and neglect, Nurses for Newborns conducts a comprehensive in-home nurse visiting program, providing access to health care, parenting education and linkage to critical resources for medically fragile, at-risk, low-income, and underserved infants and mothers/caregivers. Services are voluntary and free of charge.
Saints Joachim and Ann Care Service – This care service provides intensive strengths-based case management to individuals and families in Lincoln County who are experiencing homelessness to help stabilize their situation and guide them toward a sustainable future.
Saint Louis Crisis Nursery – Serving as a crucial safety net for families, the nursery’s emergency response program is designed to prevent adverse health and well-being outcomes for vulnerable families with young children during times of crisis. Services are available through the crisis nursery’s Family Empowerment Center at Mercy Hospital Jefferson.
“This year, there was a special emphasis in each community to align Mercy’s strategic partnerships with those organizations that assisted in a particular manner to meet the social determinants of health,” said Kevin Minder, Mercy senior vice president of mission and community health and Caritas committee chairperson.
“As we know, we find much value for our patients most in need when we can meet their non-clinical needs in addition to their traditional health care experience.”