• Catholic Charities Hispanic Health Advocate
  • Mini-Grants available to hire trained interpreters
  • On the Ground: How trust and stress affect infant and maternal mortality in Southeast Fort Wayne
  • Prenatal & Infant Care Directories available soon
  • HEAL Farm Markets are all about families and fresh produce
  • Marla Rust celebrates 10 years with St. Joe Foundation
Promoting the dignity of all people
Since 2003, St. Joe Foundation has supported the Hispanic Health Advocacy Program. Spanish-speaking Medical Interpreter/Navigator Natalie Borjas serves as the Hispanic Health Advocate connecting over 100 Spanish-speaking individuals annually with medical care.
Grantee spotlight: Catholic Charities
Hispanic Health Advocate
The following story from Catholic Charities illustrates just one example of how a grant from St. Joe Foundation is making a life-saving difference for non-English speaking individuals seeking to connect with medical care. Locally, 25% of individuals without health insurance are Spanish-speaking. The St. Joe Foundation is honored to support Catholic Charities' ministry of helping people access medical care and enroll in health insurance.
* name has been changed to protect privacy.
Jose* had recently been laid off by his employer due to Covid-19 and felt at a complete loss on how to meet the financial needs of his family. In order to address needs, Jose contacted the United Way 211 to connect to an agency that would be able to assist with financial help for his family. When Catholic Charities received Jose’s referral, it was decided that the best point of contact to assist Jose was the Hispanic Health Advocate (HHA) because of interpretation and translation needs. The HHA contacted Jose to discuss the Resource & Referral program, but also to complete a needs assessment. Through this assessment, the HHA learned that Jose’s sister-in-law, who lives with Jose and his family, had contacted the virus and several household members, including Jose, were exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Jose shared with the HHA that he had gone to be tested for the virus and to receive medical care, but due to a language barrier, Jose did not understand how to care for himself with much needed medical services.

Jose was immediately enrolled in the Home Health Aide (HHA) program, connected to a new medical provider, and provided much needed interpretation to have his medical needs met. Within days of this initial contact, Jose was able to receive a COVID-19 test, which tested positive, and through the interpretation provided, Jose was able to learn how to best care for himself and others during this time. Through interpretation and education, Jose was able to learn more about his personal health and how to keep those around him healthy by quarantining. Between the services provided by the HHA and our Resource & Referral Program providing Jose with financial assistance, he was able to recover medically and pay his mounting bills. Several weeks after receiving HHA services, the HHA checked in with Jose to inquire on the overall health and wellbeing of his family. Jose shared that he is incredibly thankful for the services provided by the HHA and through the collaborative work provided by the HHA, Jose and his family feel hopeful for the future and know they now have much needed support by Catholic Charities. 
Promoting the dignity of all people
Spanish-speaking Interpreter Flor Guayamo and Burmese-speaking Interpreter Rabia Ibrahim working with INPUT's On the Ground event on September 18 to assure all voices are heard.
Foundation Update:
Mini-Grants available to hire trained interpreters
The St. Joseph Community Health Foundation has a long history of supporting medical interpretation programs. In 2020, St. Joe is providing community partners and grantees with special one-time funding, reimbursing grantees for their costs with hiring trained interpreters to assist their clients. Grantees serving non-English speaking populations who need a trained interpreter for an event, can seek a mini-grant to cover the cost.

The Foundation also provides an operating support grant to the Language Services Network which can frequently connect area non-profits and grantees with trained interpreters and translators.

For more information, contact Meg Distler MDistler@sjchf.org; or Amy Salaik ASalaik@sjchf.org.
Prenatal and Infant Care
Dr. Emmary Butler, OB/GYN is one local professional working to reduce mother and infant morality in Fort Wayne's Black community.
Foundation Partner: On the Ground
How trust and stress affect infant and maternal mortality in Southeast Fort Wayne
St. Joe Foundation is partnering with INPUT to increase awareness of maternal and infant mortality issues in our community. The following story was originally published on Inputfortwayne.com
The year 2020 has been a rollercoaster of overwhelming and jarring experiences that have created new problems for some and hyperextended pre-existing problems for many.
What’s been virtually inescapable this year is talking about racism and the role it plays in the lives of every American. Whether it takes form in purposefully designed policies, casual microaggressions, or implicit bias, racism sets up and reinforces a structure that does not allow for equity or justice for all. This reality also takes a toll on the physical, mental, and emotional health of those who are oppressed.

However, for every whiplash-inducing current event in 2020 that results in frustration, loss, or hardship, opportunities for greater awareness, learning, and hope emerge.
Regardless of social-economic status, Black women face health disparities in the U.S. at higher rates than most other populations. Research on infant mortality and maternal health shows that “Black women experience the highest infant mortality rates among any racial or ethnic group in the United States. The Black IMR has been roughly twice that of the White IMR for over 35 years.”
Providing access to quality, affordable healthcare
Foundation update:
Prenatal & Infant Care Resource Directories
available soon
The 2021 version of the Prenatal & Infant Care Resource Directory will be available soon. These directories are provided by the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation to connect local families with over 70 free and low-cost health care resources. Paperback directories can be ordered for free by individuals or by agencies to be distributed to clients. These resources will also be updated soon on www.HealthCareDirectory.org.
Nutrition and Food Insecurity
Odalys Gonzales and her four children and Community Programs Manager Laura Dwire at the HEAL Farm Market at Parkview Greenhouse and Learning Kitchen.
Foundation update:
HEAL Farm Markets are all about families
and fresh fruits and vegetables! 
Meet the Gonzalez Family. Odalys and her five children enjoyed the advantages of the WIC Voucher double-up program for the first time this year. Odalys commented, “This is our first year at the market. It is a great help to my family.” At this particular market, she was able to purchase corn, tomatoes, lettuce, red and green peppers, squash, and a watermelon. “I got five kids, I have to feed them in a good way. Kids come through the market, and you got everything good and fresh.” This year HEAL farm markets served over 1,300 customers, doubled $19,840 in WIC produce vouchers and provided families like Gonzalez’s with healthy produce throughout the summer.  

Even the pandemic did not stop HEAL partners from serving customers and ensuring their access to healthy produce. “COVID-19 provided many challenges to the HEAL team because the first priority was keeping everyone safe. Volunteers from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, Parkview Health, HealthVisions Midwest, and Purdue Extension worked hours to set up the markets, ensure masks were worn, distancing rules were followed, and customers did not touch the produce. At first, the markets resembled a testing site, but once the customer became familiar with the flow, it went very smoothly,” commented Laura Dwire, St. Joe Community Programs Manager. Everyone enjoyed the fresh, local produce and appreciated the efforts by the teams.
And the serving doesn’t stop with the closure at McCormick and Parkview Greenhouse markets. HEAL Markets, through a United Way Rapid Relief grant, are now offering $10 Fresh Produce Vouchers to market attendees. To receive the vouchers, stop by the Johnnie Mae Market, 2518 Winter Street, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Fridays, or from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturdays at Southside Farmers Market at 3300 Warsaw Street. There is plenty of produce to purchase and lots of fun to be had at these unique market settings.

When asked how do you get your children to eat tomatoes, Gonzalez’s son said to bring them to the markets so they can pick out their produce. Her daughter commented that kids should just try and eat vegetables. As they started to leave, Odalys decided she needed more peppers for the week, and sent her daughter back to buy more. 
Celebrating commitment to our community
Sr. Margaret Anne Henss, PHJC, Marla Rust, Executive Assistant & Operations Coordinator, St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, and Sr. Joetta Huelsmann, PHJC
Foundation update:
Marla Rust celebrates 10 years with the
St. Joseph Community Health Foundation
Marla Rust was recently recognized for 10 years of service at the St. Joe Foundation by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. During the past 10 years, Marla has managed many roles successfully at the Foundation ranging from helping to operate the Community Resource Center for Refugees to assisting grantees in applying for funds. Her colleagues are most grateful for her engaging smile and incredible sense of organization. Thank you, Marla!
 A ministry sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.