YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley raised $7.9 million in 2022 for efforts to help improve the health and well-being of the community.
The foundation’s board approved $5 million to support projects that have a direct impact on the health and well-being of people in the community, according to Paul Homick, foundation president.
“There is a lot of competition for federal and state grants,” Homick says. “The needs of the Mahoning Valley are evident in the amount of funding we receive from the government. Securing these grants is key to making sure our programs are helping those who need it most.”
The foundation raised $615,551 for opioid initiatives. This includes funding for a dual diagnosis counselor to provide appropriate mental health and substance abuse interventions at the Mercy Health New Start drug and alcohol treatment facility in Warren. Outpatient services will be expanded for New Start patients. Donor funds also support screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment, in which medical personnel are trained to screen for mental health and substance abuse as part of routine medical care. The foundation also funds the peer recovery coach program, which pairs a client with a coach who is familiar with all stages of recovery.
The dental clinic at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital and mobile dental program, which travels around the Valley to provide everything from cleanings to X-rays to extractions, received $419,893 through the foundation.
“We provide the region’s largest safety net clinic, with 10,000 visits a year, while also serving as an accredited dental general practice residency training program,” says Dr. M. Frank Beck, program director of the dental residency program at Mercy Health Youngstown. “We cannot overemphasize the significant role philanthropy plays in addressing the health care needs. While many people remain uninsured, a significant portion is underinsured. Rising co-payments contribute toward their inability to access quality health care.”
Beck is also the board chairman of the Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley.
Some of the other programs funded by the foundation include:
- Hispanic health program, $373,828;
- Resource mothers/fatherhood support, $365,125;
- Centering pregnancy program, $317,876;
- Prescription assistance, $278,571;
- Stepping Out, $414,322;
- Telehealth program, $160,923.
“We realize the needs in our community are significant. It is truly a privilege for us to support these projects and programs that improve the health and well-being of everyone in our community,” Homick says. “We are so grateful for our donors and we look forward to continuing our work as we move forward in 2023.”