St. John’s Hospitals awards grants to 10 area organizations

Oxnard, Calif. (February 6, 2012) –St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital are proud to announce the selection of ten Ventura County non-profit organizations as grant recipients in the 2011 Dignity Health Community Grants Program. A total of ten grants were awarded, resulting in $154,636 in community benefit in 2011.

Each of the organizations are being recognized for their contributions to the community in various areas, including health services access and affordability, culturally sensitive health and social services, homeless services, and family violence prevention, education, and treatment.

“Each of these organizations focuses intently on improving the health of the community. We are pleased to support them and will continue to partner with them to meet the meet the disproportionate needs that exist in our communities,” said Laurie Eberst, president CEO of St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital. “At St. John’s, it is our mission to provide compassionate care to those we serve, and to work collaboratively with others to ensure that we address the needs of those who can’t always advocate for themselves.”

Since the inception of the Community Grants Program in 1991, St. John’s has granted over $1.7 million to non-profit partners in our communities.

The following is a list of 2011 grant recipients:

Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo:

For an after-school fitness and education program for children ages six to 18 at risk for childhood and youth obesity and other health related issues. The program will focus on promoting nutrition and fitness and preventing obesity.

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme:

For Triple, a three-pronged philosophy: Mind, Body and Soul, is an ongoing program designed to promote health and wellness for youth ages six to 18. To inspire and enable all youth, especially those who needs us most, to realize their full potential, as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

Camarillo Health Care District:

To meet the health and wellness need by promoting, coordinating and managing quality, affordable, health-related services.

Camarillo Hospice Corporation:

For a volunteer hospice program that will extend currently available hospice programs into the Oxnard area. The grant will help provide free support and services to individuals and families with life-limiting diseases.

El Centrito Family Learning Center: F

or early intervention services that engage parents in education, build their knowledge of healthy child development, offer interactive learning opportunities and connect families to needed services, such as developmental screenings and referrals for other types of early intervention that support cognitive, physical and social-emotional development.

FOOD Share:

To serve the hunger needs of the underserved with a focus on childhood obesity prevention in Ventura County.

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association:

To support the organization’s Subsidized Care Program, which provides healthcare and hospice care, along with prevention education, regardless of ability to pay. Livingston Memorial will provide low-cost or free healthcare services to members of the community who are uninsured or underinsured.

Mercy Housing California:

For health and wellness activities and programs for children and youth, including exercise and nutrition programs.

The Salvation Army of Oxnard/Port Hueneme:

To fund a free licensed medical and dental clinic program for underserved and indigent Ventura County residents. The grant will fund access to healthcare services through the free clinic.

Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick:

To fund an ongoing program to help low income families who cannot pay for nurses or do not qualify for home health nursing care for sick or dying loved ones.

About St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital

St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital, members of Catholic Healthcare West, comprise the largest acute healthcare organization in Ventura County. These private, not-for-profit hospitals are dedicated to providing quality services that enhance wellness and healing, improving health in mind, body, and spirit, and advocating for the disadvantaged.

www.stjohnshealth.org

www.supportstjohns.org