• Our HEALing Kitchen Grants open March 1 - April 1
• The High States of Smoking Marijuana While Pregnant - March 7 PIC Luncheon
• A Celebration of Community Impact - March 14 event
• Grants portal open until March 1
• A Vocation Story, by Sr. Linda Volk

The St. Joseph Community Health Foundation is now taking grant applications for the Our HEALing Kitchen program.

The Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) nutrition and cooking classes offer vulnerable residents with fun and engaging classes about how to prepare and enjoy healthy and affordable meals. Since 2016, more than 3,000 local residents have participated in the classes that are offered by area churches and non-profit organizations.

Using Our HEALing Kitchen curriculum, developed by Parkview Health dietitians, organizations host a series of six to eight cooking and nutrition classes for anywhere from eight to 15 students. Organizations designate a program facilitator who receives training and coaching, as well as the materials needed to teach a successful series of classes.

Grants range from $500 to $1,200 and are available for churches, nonprofits, and other organizations that serve vulnerable or low-income residents. Grants cover the costs of food, necessary cooking utensils and equipment, and a final class celebration and incentives.

One resident who took the HEALing Kitchen Class through the A Mother’s Hope stated: “Since taking this HEAL class, I've eaten healthier than I've ever eaten in my life! I've found things I like to eat that I never knew about.”

Another resident coordinated the Our HEALing Kitchen classes at The Temple Fort Wayne church and stated, “I like the fact that you can enjoy good food that tastes great and it is still healthy. So far, the program has been great and a blessing to our church!”

Applications will be accepted March 1 through April 1, 2024. More information may be found online at www.sjchf.org and applications may be submitted online through the grants portal by clicking on the “grants” menu item at www.sjchf.org. 

How to apply

As marijuana becomes more accessible to the public, find out how it interferes with pregnancy and lactation. Hear from local experts in maternal and infant health care about how the use of marijuana can affect pregnancies and the baby. This luncheon will provide insights on understanding the harmful effects of marijuana and how THC interactions can cause pregnancy complications and health problems to the baby. Our panel of experts will also share some local resources to help mothers who are using marijuana and their care providers.

The St. Joe Foundation is seeking proposals to improve the health and wellness of low-income, vulnerable individuals in body, mind, and spirit in Allen County, Indiana. Preference will be given to projects focusing on pregnant women and infants, immigrants and refugees, food- and nutrition-insecure individuals, and access to affordable health and wellness care.

Applicants are encouraged to learn more about the values, grantmaking, and ministry of the St. Joe Foundation by visiting the website or clicking below on "What We Fund." Ideas can also be discussed with Foundation staff to affirm compatibility. Applications for the spring grant cycle will be accepted from February 1 through March 1, 2024.

What we fund

How to apply

Indiana University Health recently awarded $1 million over three years to the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation. These funds will be used to develop the Refugee Health Collaborative, a partnership of the St. Joe Foundation, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Amani Family Services, International House, Double Up Indiana, the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, and the IU Health primary care office of Dr. Cho Mar Aung. 

This collaboration of community leaders and partners are working together to help Burmese refugees meet their needs for physical and mental health services, case management, transportation, healthy food, job training, and housing. Join us to hear first hand about the impact of this collaboration.



Click here to register

by Sister Linda Volk, PHJC

Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, Donaldson, IN

I’m in eighth grade fuming and embarrassed. Our teacher had created a bulletin board using our graduate pictures clothing each of us in an outfit predicting our future. Among the girl graduates there was a classmate dressed as a ballerina, a nurse, a mother, a singer... and then me... dressed as a nun! Are you kidding! Why would she suppose that?

Read the whole story on anunslife.org