Thirty-nine organizations throughout California received Wellness and Prevention Initiative Grants from St. Joseph Health System (SJHS) Foundation totaling more than $2.2 million to help champion initiatives that promote the health and overall well-being of the economically challenged residents and communities in need. The awarded grants support proactive programs and community collaborations that focus on improving the quality of life in the communities surrounding nine SJHS hospitals in California.

“In these challenging economic times, the need has never been greater for us to come together to address the unmet health needs of our most vulnerable populations,” said Deborah Proctor, CEO, SJHS. “As a faith-based organization, we have long been active participants in the communities we serve, and these grants support vital programs that mobilize much needed wellness and prevention resources to our neighbors who need it most.”

This year’s grants represent the largest total dollar amount awarded to date by St. Joseph Health System Foundation for the Wellness and Prevention Initiative. These grants each range from $12,000 to $115,000 and focus on programs that address childhood obesity, chronic disease management, nutrition, mental health, youth development, job training and homelessness. Awardees are administered by local nonprofit organizations or SJHS hospitals. Selection criteria is based on the scope of wellness or prevention emphasis, the quality of evidence-based approaches or interventions, the capacity for the program to become self-sufficient, the level of collaboration and partnership within existing community initiatives, and tangible, measurable outcomes.

“These funds help us reach far beyond the walls of our hospitals and directly into our communities,” said Gabriela Robles, Executive Director, SJHS Foundation. “We value the efforts of the local organizations that share and demonstrate this conviction. Our hope is that these grants will help enable these organizations to continue to be catalysts for improving the health status and quality of life of disadvantaged and underserved people."