Foundation of Saint Clare's Hospital Awards $50,000 to Community Groups Serving Poor, Underserved

WESTON – In its first annual Ministry Health Fund granting process, Saint Clare's Hospital has awarded $50,000 to community groups which have submitted creative plans to address local health concerns, the foundation has announced.

An evaluation committee looked at how well the proposals served the poor and underserved, demonstrated a capacity for success, provided measurable outcomes, and met other key criteria. Grants ranging in size from $2,292 to $10,000 went to the following eight efforts:

Marathon County Suicide Prevention Task Force: Funds will be used by a collaborative task force, led by North Central Health Care, to increase public knowledge of depression, suicides and the services available. The project involves translating printed materials into Hmong and Spanish languages, as well as training two instructors who speak Hmong and Spanish languages. By targeting these two populations, this task force is proactively reaching out to vulnerable populations.

Interfaith Volunteer Care Giving: Funds will be used by a local non-profit, Faith in Action of Marathon County, to provide informal care and support to homebound persons, particularly the elderly, in Marathon County. The project involves expanding the program director's hours to increase the numbers of volunteers trained and elderly served, to expand services in rural Marathon County, and to expand the number of church congregations sustaining Faith in Action.

Preventing Underage Drinking, Social Norms Campaign: Funds will be used by a collaborative task force, led by the Wausau School District, to decrease underage drinking and decrease the perception of underage drinking by the youth and adults in the community. The project involves changing the perception that "everyone is doing it" and the likelihood youth will "join the crowd." The project includes a mix of paid media and grassroots initiatives. By proactively reaching out, this task force is preventing the growth of a vulnerable population of alcohol abusers.

YWCA Youth Yoga: Funds will be used by the YWCA of Wausau to promote healthy lifestyles for children and teens through a program of free yoga classes. The intent is to help children control negative behavior and relieve stress through techniques learned in yoga. Approximately 63 percent of those targeted are involved in the free lunch programs at their schools or are subsidized for child care costs.

Community Corner Clubhouse "Health and Wellness": Funds would be used by the Community Corner Clubhouse, a state-certified, psychosocial rehab program. Funds will help build a system to help Clubhouse members delay the onset and progression of disabling chronic disease. The project involves improving the nutritional value of noon meals, providing more affordable meals for members, increasing meal attendance, increasing the intake of fresh drinking water at the Clubhouse, and decreasing the intake of soda pop by members. Most Clubhouse members are under 100 percent of the federal poverty level, and many receive both state and federal assistance.

Discharge Transportation for Special Needs Patients: Funds will be used by Saint Clare's Hospital to address an unmet transportation need for patients with special care needs, who are discharged from the hospital. The project supports primarily the frail elderly and patients of any age who have physical, cognitive or behavioral impairment that requires special "medical van" transport.

Partnering for Wellness, A Neighborhood Initiative – Green Acres Community: Funds would be used by Ministry Medical Group – Weston to increase the utilization of educational programs, wellness events, and prevention services for the residents of the Green Acres Community. The project involves enhancing communications and partnering with others to increase awareness and remove barriers (i.e. transportation) to attend health outreach programs. The neighborhood has been identified by the Village of Weston as at risk and underserved.

Car Seat and Bike Helmet Safety: Funds would be used by Saint Clare's Hospital to help decrease the morbidity and mortality of children involved in car accidents or bike accidents. The project has interdisciplinary involvement from the Pediatrics, Emergency and Birthing units of Saint Clare's Hospital, working together to purchase and distribute car seats, booster seats and bike helmets for newborns, infants, toddlers and children who otherwise cannot afford them.

The granting process was facilitated by the Foundation of Saint Clare's Hospital, which has been established to support the hospital and its mission to further the healing ministry of Jesus.