St. John’s Foundation for Community Health to award $67,846 in grants
Nov. 19, 2005

St. John’s Foundation for Community Health will award $67,846 in grants to five community health and wellness programs. The check presentations will take place at 7 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21, 2005 at St. John’s Surgery Center in classroom 4-A on the fourth floor.

Boys and Girls Town of Missouri will receive $23,462 for Healthy Alternatives, a group therapy program addressing the physical and mental health needs of children in their care. The grant will cover the salary, benefits and certification of one full-time therapist for the start-up year.

Children’s Smile Center in Ozark will receive $15,000 to remodel and furnish the clinic prior to its opening March 2006 and to support the salary of a dental hygienist. Missouri Kids Count reports there were 6,884 Medicaid/MC+ children in Christian and Stone counties in 2001, many of whom have no access to dental care and oral hygiene education.

New Hope GYN Cancer Support Group will receive $7,570 to help fund a collaborative effort among nine local organizations aimed at increasing the awareness of cervical cancer and encouraging women to have annual gynecologic examinations.  Monies will be used for an awareness campaign in January to coincide with cervical cancer awareness month. 

Republic Senior Friendship Center will receive $1,814 to help fund the purchase of a new oven. In 2004, the center served 42,273 meals.

Springfield-Greene County Park Board will receive $20,000 to expand the Step Club: Schools on the Move program. In 2004-2005, the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Springfield Public Schools and St. John’s Health System collaborated to introduce the program, which is designed to encourage Springfield’s elementary school age students to lead a more active lifestyle.  Seven schools were initially identified and funded as pilot sites. Because of program growth and popularity, the program will expand to include 17 elementary schools in the 2005-2006 school year.

St. John’s Foundation for Community Health was created in 2001 with the goals of improving health status in the communities served by St. John’s, enhancing community involvement in St. John’s vision and facilitating philanthropic support for health-related activities and education.  In 2004, St. John’s funded $1.6 million in grants benefiting the health system and community programs.

For media information, contact St. John’s Media Relations at 417-820-2426 or cscott@sprg.mercy.net.