CHRISTUS Health awards $300,000 to southwestern Louisiana nonprofits

Three nonprofit organizations in southwestern Louisiana received grants this week totaling $300,000 for their programs aimed at improving the health and well-being of their communities.

A ceremony on Wednesday at CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital recognized each of the recipients, which were awarded funds through the CHRISTUS Community Impact Fund. The fund will distribute a total of $3.7 million this year to organizations in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico communities served by CHRISTUS Health.

“The CHRISTUS Fund allows us to live out our mission in a meaningful way, and we are grateful for the opportunity to invest in organizations to strengthen the communities we serve,” said Jessica Guerra, program manager for community development at CHRISTUS Health. “By partnering with groups who share our commitment to service, we can extend healing, hope and compassion to those who need it most.”

Selected organizations were chosen for their programs addressing community health issues, including mental health and well-being and food insecurity.

The recipient organizations from the CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana region are:

• Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana
• Family and Youth Counseling Agency Inc.
• Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana

Founded in 1980, the Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana served 3,691 households for the year. Its mission is to respond to needs in Southwest Louisiana by serving, teaching, building community and preserving the dignity of individuals and families.

“Thousands of families turn to us for help putting food on the table,” said Sister Marie Josepha, executive director for Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana. “Thanks to the generosity of the CHRISTUS Fund, we can provide nutritious food for our neighbors and the dedicated staff who make it possible to distribute more than 917,000 pounds of food each year. We are truly blessed by this partnership and deeply grateful for the CHRISTUS Fund’s commitment to feeding our communities.”

Launched in 2011, the CHRISTUS Community Impact Fund has invested more than $25 million into the communities served by CHRISTUS Health. When combined with charity care and other community services, CHRISTUS Health invested more than $544 million into local communities last year.