Franciscan Health, Community Contributor
Social Impact Partnership Programs aims to serve at-risk populations
Franciscan Health recently announced $450,000 in funding for community health improvement through its Social Impact Partnership Program (SIPP). Fifty-seven non-profits located throughout Franciscan Health’s Indiana service regions and south suburban Chicago were selected from applications to receive funding of up to $9,750 per organization.
Partners in South Suburban Chicago are: Anew: Building Beyond Violence & Abuse, Crisis Center for South Suburbia, Harold Colbert Jones Memorial Community Center, South Suburban PADS, St. Coletta’s of Illinois, Inc., The Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Support Center and The Pantry of Rich Township.
“Our community partners are such an asset to the health and wellbeing of their communities,” said Community Health Improvement Administrative Director Kate Hill-Johnson. “This program honors that and provides additional support that allows them to build capacity and assist even more individuals.”
SIPP is a community health enrichment program sponsored by Franciscan Health, which establishes and builds upon partnerships with non-profit health and human service agencies that provide services in at-risk communities served by the health system. The goal is to foster long-term relationships with community providers to better address significant health issues among vulnerable populations.
A committee comprised of local Franciscan healthcare leadership selected the fund recipients and amounts. The recipient organizations received funding based on program applications demonstrating their ability to address priority health needs and health equity based on Franciscan’s Community Health Needs Assessment process. Identified priority health issues include: 1) physical activity and nutrition (including food insecurity); 2) mental wellness; 3) healthy relationships (including pregnancy, parenting and recovery); and 4) housing support.
Recipient organizations will collaborate with Franciscan’s Community Health Improvement team to ensure program effectiveness that meet the partner organization’s stated goals. They must participate in program orientation and will submit progress reports at six-month and one-year intervals. Participation in the reporting process is required for consideration of any future funding or assistance.
Supporting healthier communities
Harold Colbert Jones Community Center Executive Director Cheryl Roop said, “Franciscan Health’s support goes well beyond financial assistance. Their team members build relationships at our community events and throughout the year with in-kind gifts that truly serve our needs.”
Anew Building Beyond Violence & Abuse Executive Director Jennifer Gabrenya said, “We are grateful to be part of the SIPP partners. Knowing how deeply domestic violence impacts the health of our communities, it is refreshing to know we have the support of this partnership.”
Franciscan Health will announce the benchmark dates for 2023 SIPP applications, review and awards early next year.