By GINA M. MARINELLI
Senior Gift Officer, Mercy Health Foundation

In 2025, the Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley made significant strides in funding programs and projects aimed at enhancing the well-being of our community. This includes updated equipment at the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center, and funding our community health initiatives like the Dental Clinic, Prescription Assistance, Hispanic Health and Centering Pregnancy, a program to help ensure healthy pregnancies and healthy infants. But we don’t stop there. Our Resource Mothers & Fathers program helps young new parents adjust to their new roles. 

There are also several outside projects that the MHFMV helps to fund, such as the Glenwood Fresh Market and the Senior Guardianship program at Compass. MHFMV President Paul Homick says it’s all because of our generous donors. 

“We are thankful for and extend our gratitude to our generous donors who reflect how wonderful this community is by ensuring that these programs are in place to help our neighbors live a healthy lifestyle and to get the care they need when they need it. We raised over $7,700,000 in 2025 and provided over $6,100,000 in support to Mercy Health and our community partners because our donors made that possible,” Homick said.

In 2026, the commitment to those programs will continue. Other funding projects include the expansion of our graduate medical education program. Respite of Hope, a medical respite home that provides short-term housing and support for people experiencing homelessness who are too ill to recover on the streets or in a shelter, but not sick enough to remain in a hospital. In this healing environment, guests receive safe lodging, nutritious meals, case management and access to health and social services.   

The Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. The services Mercy Health provides, and new programs we launch, are informed by a community health needs assessment and address the key public health needs and issues facing Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. 

Everything we do is in line with our mission: to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of our communities and bring help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. We remain true to the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, who began providing health care in our community more than 100 years ago.