CHI Memorial Awards Grants To Three Local Nonprofits

CHI Memorial awarded $60,000 in grants to three local nonprofit organizations to improve community health.  This year’s recipients of the grant funds are La Paz, The Lighthouse Collective, and Medical Foundation of Chattanooga.  The funds will support local residents without health insurance, persons experiencing homelessness, and youth programs.

“Improving health isn't solely about what happens within our hospital walls; it's about fostering well-being across the entire community.  By supporting these vital organizations, we're extending our reach and ensuring individuals and families have access to the critical services they need to thrive. This is an investment in a healthier, more vibrant community for all,” shared Janelle Reilly, market president, CHI Memorial.  

The grants will be used for the following projects this year:

• La Paz received $20,000 to reduce health and mental health disparities within Hamilton County’s Latino community through culturally and linguistically appropriate care, education, and case management.  By collaborating with local health care providers, La Paz aims to improve health care access and outcomes for underserved Latino populations.  It plans to serve 400 individuals directly, provide health care to 100 patients, connect 500 individuals to insurance, and educate more than 1,900 people. 
• The Lighthouse Collective received $20,000 for counseling, prevention, and education services to individuals in Chattanooga’s Avondale, Bushtown, and downtown areas, focusing on those at risk of violence. Prevention efforts encompass workshops and community outreach addressing root causes of violence like poverty, substance abuse, and limited access to education. Educational programs increase awareness of violence and its impacts, using evidence-based curricula and community discussions.
• The Medical Foundation of Chattanooga received $20,000 to support Project Access’ (PA) expanding efforts to address patients’ social determinants of health (SDOH), with a new focus on combating food insecurity.  A new food assistance pilot program will provide monthly, patient-curated food boxes for Hamilton County residents, addressing significant food access barriers among PA’s patient base.  This initiative seeks to provide nutritious, affordable food options, supporting the health and well-being of patients who face high levels of food insecurity.

This grant program was open to nonprofit organizations that address the following priorities – access to affordable health care and insurance, mental/behavioral health, and prevention and education.  The priorities were identified in CHI Memorial’s most recent Community Health Needs Assessment, which is conducted every three years to help the hospitals and community partners identify and address priority health and social needs faced by residents and the region.

This opportunity was part of the CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grants program. 

(L to R) Besty Kammerdiener, CHI Memorial market director of mission integration; Karen Botting, CHI Memorial; Janelle Reilly, CHI Memorial market president; Chris Sands, LaDarius Price, Montrell Besley, The Lighthouse Collective; James Williams, CHI Memorial COO; Nicole Brown, CHI Memorial manager of community benefits and diversity

(L to R) Besty Kammerdiener, CHI Memorial market director of mission integration; Janelle Reilly, CHI Memorial market president; Karen Botting, CHI Memorial; Stacy Johnson, La Paz; James Williams, CHI Memorial COO; Nicole Brown, CHI Memorial manager of community benefits and diversity

(L to R) Besty Kammerdiener, CHI Memorial market director of mission integration; Karen Botting, CHI Memorial; Janelle Reilly, CHI Memorial market president; James Williams, CHI Memorial COO; Rae Bond, Chattanooga and Hamilton County Medical Society and Medical Foundation of Chattanooga CEO; Tonya Williams, Chattanooga and Hamilton County Medical Society director of Project Access and community partnerships; Nicole Brown, CHI Memorial manager of community benefits and diversity