St. Joseph awards more than $330,000 grants to improve well-being, health equity in Lexington area
Saint Joseph Hospital and Saint Joseph East have awarded $330,420 in grant funding to eight local nonprofit organizations to improve the well-being and health equity of the Lexington area.
“At CHI Saint Joseph Health, we are committed to a healthier future for all and addressing the unique needs of our neighbors,” said Matt Grimshaw, market president for CHI Saint Joseph Health. “Our mission calls out a special focus on serving the vulnerable, and the work of these eight incredible nonprofit organizations in Lexington is essential in advancing well-being and health equity across the area. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and create a brighter, healthier future for all.”
The grants are part of the Community Health Improvement Grants program, created in 2019 when Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health came together to create the national health system CommonSpirit Health.
The grant funding will be used for the following projects in 2025:
Bluegrass Care Navigators, an organization that provides grief services and integrative medicine programs, received $50,000 to help continue their services with community members.
Bluegrass Council of the Blind, which addresses food security, mental health and health access for persons with no or low vision, received $20,000 to continue their services.
Catholic Action Center received $20,000 to support the “Dignity Station,” a mobile shower and laundry outreach service for the unhoused.
Community Inspired Lexington, which provides opportunities and support for youth and families in the North Lexington community, received $20,420 to help provide nutritional support for families living in food deserts.
Hope Center, an organization that provides comprehensive life-sustaining and life-rebuilding services to promote healing from substance use disorder, mental health disorders and homelessness, received $50,000 to support a mobile health program with meals for Lexington’s unhoused population.
LexArts received $60,000 to address youth mental health through arts programming and engagement workshops for oncology patients at the Saint Joseph East cancer center.
Refuge for Women, a long-term housing and emergency housing for women who have escaped human trafficking or sexual exploitation, received $60,000 to continue providing direct care staff and client support for women survivors of sex trafficking.
YMCA of Central Kentucky received $50,000 to expand services with a Mobile “Y on the Move” program. This mobile YMCA minibus will allow staff and volunteers to provide food and services in our community.