• Father Boyle to share message of boundless compassion
  • Courageous Healing helps clients "break through" challenges
  • Senator Young meets with local agencies
  • Register now for Diversity Awards
  • Foundation welcomes new board members
Caring for the whole person: body, mind, and spirit
“Kindness is the only strength there is.”
― Father Greg Boyle

In just a few days, Father Greg Boyle will visit Fort Wayne and share his message of boundless compassion and radical kinship with an audience of more than 600. The free event takes place October 8, at 1 p.m. at the University of Saint Francis Performing Arts Center. The PAC seats approximately 2,000 people, but seating is limited to allow for social distancing; approximately 50 tickets remain.

Father Boyle's belief that each person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect is a value shared by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, sponsor of the St. Joe Foundation. Father Boyle and the Poor Handmaids encourage all organizations that work with vulnerable, low-income people to care for the whole person -- physical, mental, and spiritual.

Find more information about Father Boyle, the event, and a link to register here.
Supporting mental health care for everyone and creating hope
Grantee spotlight:
Courageous Healing testimonial:
"Sometimes you have to break down to break through."
Courageous Healing specializes in culturally centered mental health services and has worked to help fill a void in Fort Wayne by providing culturally competent quality mental health care for marginalized populations. The St. Joseph Community Health Foundation was an early supporter and has awarded Courageous Healing $45,000 over the last two years. Below is a testimonial from one of their clients.

“I was hesitant about sharing this, but if this video touches one heart then my mission is complete. I started counseling a few months ago, and it has been the only thing that has kept me sane during my healing process. Having a counselor is like having the best friend I’ve always wanted. I have been able to talk about Lil Diquan the way that I need to, and I understand grief on a totally different level. Some said I was crazy for seeking counseling, and those people are no longer a part of my life. I had so many snakes sitting at my table that I had to leave my own table and let them sit and eat together. I cut everybody off, the healing process is painful, and facing and fighting demons is painful, but sometimes you have to break down in order to break through. Invest in your mental health, vent to a counselor, and watch how your mind opens. As you disconnect with people, you’ll realize who’s with you and against you. I’ve realized that all that I have is myself, and I’m perfectly fine with that because nobody loves me more than I love myself.”
Advocating for pregnant women, infants , and new families
Foundation spotlight:
Senator Todd Young listening to local voices
In early September, U.S. Senator Todd Young met with St. Joe Executive Director Meg Distler and other local non-profit leaders on effective local strategies in assisting pregnant women and young families needing assistance in northeast Indiana. Amongst those present were several grantee partners from A Mother's Hope, Women's Care Center, Healthier Moms & Babies, Three Rivers Right to Life, and Brightpoint's Covering Kids & Families.
Welcoming immigrants with dignity
Help celebrate immigrant leaders
strengthening our community
It’s time to register for the 2021 Diversity Awards breakfast, a free event honoring outstanding local immigrants and refugees and those who help create a welcoming community.

The event takes place at 9 a.m. on Friday, October 22 at Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne and is free, but registration is required by visiting www.WelcomingFW.org. A light breakfast will be served.
Three awards will be presented this year: Welcoming Organization, Lifetime Achiever, and Emerging Leader.

The awards are presented by Welcoming Fort Wayne, a chapter of Welcoming America and an initiative of Amani Family Services. The Title Sponsor for the event is the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation and the Presenting Sponsor is Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne. Supporting Sponsors include Greater Fort Wayne Inc. and Associated Churches of Fort Wayne and Allen County.

Register now!
Continuing a history of excellence
Foundation update:
St. Joe Foundation welcomes
new board members
The St. Joseph Community Health Foundation welcomes six new members to its board of directors: Rev. Dr. Eric Zimmer, Cindy Black, Saw Htoo Kapaw, Alice Jordan-Miles, Rachel Blakeman, and Sister Marlene Ann Lama.

“We are grateful these individuals have agreed to serve on our board of directors,” said Meg Distler, executive director of the St. Joe Foundation. “Each one brings unique gifts and experiences to the board, and most importantly, they all have a heart for our mission.”

Each board member will serve a three-year term with the Foundation that is renewable twice.

  • Rev. Dr. Eric Zimmer: President of USF
  • Cindy Black: Executive Director of Redeemer Radio
  • Saw Htoo Kapaw: IT Director, Ivy Tech Community College NE
  • Alice Jordan-Miles: Director of Purdue University Fort Wayne Behavioral Health & Family Studies Institute
  • Rachel Blakeman: Director of the Purdue University Fort Wayne Community Research Institute
  • Sister Marlene Ann Lama: Sister with the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ

Learn more about the St. Joe Foundation board of directors.
 A ministry sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.