(Chelsea Update would like to thank Bobby H. Maldonado for the information in this story.)
St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea hospital has allocated nearly $170,000 in donations for the 2017 fiscal year to support partner organizations in Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester and Stockbridge.
Hospital funds have been allocated to meet the basic needs of the community – including in areas such as housing, utilities, food, transportation, dental care, obesity-related illness, and access to mental health services.
“Our mission at the hospital is to be a compassionate and transforming healing presence within the community,” said Nancy Graebner, president and CEO of St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea. “The programs we have chosen to support this year will assist our partners as they continue their work to help improve the lives of individuals and families within our community.”
Programs supported by St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea donations include:
Chelsea – Faith in Action will receive $17,000 to help with affordable housing. The St. Louis Center will receive $15,000 to support wellness programs, transportation services and additional staffing needs. The Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE) bus has expanded the free community ride shuttle to include an additional stop at the Washington St. Education Center, where the Chelsea Senior Center, Intergenerational Garden and preschools are located. The Chelsea Senior Center will receive $15,000 to support wellness programs and activities.
Stockbridge – Community Outreach, a local food pantry, clothing bank and crisis center, will receive $35,000 to support and expand services.
Manchester – Manchester Community Schools will receive $7,500 to increase access to physical and mental health programs for students and staff.
Grass Lake – Copper Nail, a community non-profit resale shop, will receive $8,100 to support programs for the poor and underserved, which will include increased support for the food bank and non-food items for families in need. The Grass Lake Senior Center will receive $5,000 to expand services for seniors.
Dexter – The Dexter Senior Center will receive $4,500 to support transportation services for seniors.
In addition, $7,500 will be donated to each of the following school districts: Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake and Stockbridge. Funds will be used to purchase bikes and playground equipment and will help support mentoring initiatives, mental and physical health programs, food assistance programs and additional staff training.
St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea’s Community Health Improvement Council, made up of hospital board members, physicians, leaders and colleagues, distributed funds across partner organizations based on each community’s poverty level and each organization’s priorities for services. All donated funds will help address an issue related to a priority need identified in the hospital’s most recent Community Health Needs Assessment.
