February 2023 Newsletter
  • 2023 Our HEALing Kitchen grants open March 1
  • Northeast Indiana Funders Collective: Building Better Boards, March 8
  • Refugee Resettlement Programs in Northeast Indiana, March 30
  • Meet the board: Sr. Marlene Ann Lama
  • Healthier Moms & Babies 2023 Infant Mortality Report
- Supporting low-cost, nutritious eating -
Foundation spotlight:
2023 Our HEALing Kitchen grant applications
open March 1
The St. Joseph Community Health Foundation is taking grant applications for the Our HEALing Kitchen program beginning March 1.

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 2,600 local residents have participated in the classes that are offered by area churches and non-profit organizations...

- Encouraging innovative solutions -
Foundation event:
Northeast Indiana Funders Collective:
Building Better Boards, March 8
In collaboration with six other Northeast Indiana foundations, St. Joe Foundation is co-hosting “Building Better Boards,” on Wednesday, March 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to strengthen our non-profit community. Meg Distler, executive director, advises, “We are excited about this conversation and hope our non-profit partners will take advantage of this opportunity to assist board leadership and their chief executives with tapping into proven best practices for effectiveness.”
- Helping refugees feel at home -
Foundation event:
Refugee Resettlement Programs
in Northeast Indiana
Northeast Indiana has a strong tradition of welcoming newcomers and refugees, most recently from Burma, Bosnia, Congo, and Somalia. In the past two years, our community and nation have received our Afghan allies, Ukrainians fleeing war, and people seeking safety including Venezuelans, Haitians, Cubans, and Nicaraguans.  

Resettling into a new culture and building a new life is not easy for our new residents. Our community is blessed with...

- Continuing a history of compassion and excellence -
Foundation focus:
Meet the board: Sr. Marlene Ann Lama
Q: As a member of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, please share what personally inspires you about the life of your foundress, Saint Katharina Kasper. Are there particular values or works that you find especially important?

What personally inspires me about the life of Saint Katharina Kasper, our foundress, is her prayerful attentive listening to the Spirit and seeking God’s will. Saint Katharina was clearly moved by the Spirit to take risks in order to answer the needs of society at that time. Today, the diverse ministries of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ continue to evolve and reach out to serve those in need. I strive to bring a glimpse of God’s loving and caring presence into the world however I serve in ministry. I also embrace the values of Openness to the Spirit, Simplicity, Community, and Dignity and Respect for all.

- Learning how to better care for moms and babies -
Grantee spotlight:
Healthier Moms and Babies
releases Infant Mortality Report
“For every 1,000 babies born in Allen County, 6 infants die before their first birthdays,” reports Paige Wilkins, executive director of Healthier Moms and Babies. “Even one is too many—and the statistics are worse for Black residents of Allen County, with 15 infant deaths before their first birthdays for every 1,000 births. We have an obligation to provide programs, education and resources that help our littlest community members and their families lead healthy, happy lives.” 
On February 27, Healthier Moms and Babies released the 2023 Allen County Infant Mortality Report, “The Future of Firsts.” Their study was conducted by Purdue University Fort Wayne’s Community Research Institute to understand how our community can do better. The study reveals that many factors contributing to our community’s high infant mortality rate are preventable through healthcare, education, and programming. Some of their key takeaways include...

 A ministry sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.