St. Joseph Community Health Foundation

05/27/2026

Check out what’s happening at St. Joe!

Our HEALing Kitchen grant applications close soon, Perinatal and Infant Homelessness Prevention Pilot Program story, Engaging and Supporting Fathers Luncheon registration is open, and more is all covered in our May newsletter.

Sign up for our newsletter email list here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/ENVo2wr/newsletter

Or read the May newsletter here: https://conta.cc/3PhGYYR See less

Email from St. Joseph Community Health Foundation May Newsletter     May 2026 Newsletter Perinatal and Infant Homelessness Prevention Pilot Program Prenatal & Infant Care Network Luncheon: Engaging an

05/26/2026

Today the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation celebrates the birthday of Saint Katharina Kasper; a woman whose courage, compassion, and deep trust in God continue to shape our mission.

Born in 1820, Saint Katharina founded the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, whose ministry eventually brought St. Joseph Hospital, and later the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, to Fort Wayne. Her life reminds us that small acts of love can grow into generations of care for moms, babies, and neighbors in need.

May her example inspire us to serve with humility, joy, and a heart open to every person.

Foundation

05/21/2026

The St. Joseph Community Health Foundation is thrilled to announce that Sister Shirley Bell, PHJC, in recognition of the contributions of the The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, been selected as the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Raymond Rosenberger–Minette Baum Award. This annual honor, nominated by the Foundation’s Board and managed by PNC Financial Services through the Raymond Rosenberger Trust, recognizes individuals for their diligent and faithful service with exempt charitable organizations to alleviate human suffering, enhance quality of life for those afflicted by illness or injury, or promote wellness through prevention. The recipient also receives a cash award to use as they wish, celebrating their extraordinary contributions in the community.

05/19/2026

A reminder to local churches, nonprofits, and community organizations that the application deadline for the 2026 Our HEALing Kitchen program is June 1st!

More information may be found online at: https://sjchf.org/programs/heal/ohk/

Thank you for helping strengthen healthy eating and active living in our community!

A "garden-to-kitchen" curriculum that provides knowledge and skill-building to increase fruit and vegetable selection, preparation, and consumption.

05/18/2026

The St. Joseph Community Health Foundation is thrilled to welcome Sofia Vazquez to the team as our summer intern!

Sofia is a senior at the University of Michigan studying Public Policy with a focus on immigration policy and a minor in Spanish. On campus, Sofia is a member of Phi Delta Phi pre-law fraternity and serves on the Executive Board of Adaptive Gymnastics, a volunteer program supporting children with disabilities among other activities.

She brings a strong foundation in community advocacy and public service, from interning with Fort Wayne City Utilities to studying abroad in Madrid. She brings experience in immigration policy and human rights advocacy.

Sofia will be working with SJCHF's Refugee and Immigration Network, researching and writing a white paper on current immigration policies (national and state), and learning about how non-profits work.

Sofia hopes to pursue a career in immigration and public interest law. We are excited to have her intellect, passion, and dedication with us this summer.

Welcome to the team, Sofia!

05/14/2026

Today, Most Reverend Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades blessed the newest location of the Women's Care Center in Fort Wayne. Opening Monday, May 18th and located at 624 West Wayne in Downtown Fort Wayne, the Women's Care Center offers ultrasounds, pregnancy testing, the popular crib club (funded and operated by the Christ Child Society of Fort Wayne), counseling, and parenting classes. St. Joseph County Community Health Foundation staff were happy to attend the blessing and tour the new facility. The Women's Care Center is just one example of the organizations that we support that provide resources, but most importantly hope, to mothers and their infants in Allen County.

05/11/2026

Big things are sprouting in Northeast Indiana! 🌱

We are thrilled to announce a new 12-month initiative to study the feasibility of a Regional Food Hub. But what exactly is a food hub? Think of it as a central mission control for local food, a place where farmers can bring their harvests to be stored, processed, and distributed to local schools, hospitals, and grocery stores. 🍎🥦

This project aligns with the statewide "Make Indiana Healthy Again" initiative, helping us get more fresh, local food onto Hoosier plates. Our goal is to create a system that benefits 40 farmers, 150 businesses, and 50,000 residents across our 11-county region.

We want to hear from you! This project belongs to our community. If you’re a farmer, business owner, or local food lover, DM us to learn how to get involved.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms in our community! Today we celebrate your love, resilience, and the countless ways you help your families and our community flourish.

Every day, the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation is inspired by the joy and strength mothers bring. Guided by our Catholic values and the legacy of the The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, we’re honored to support programs that help moms and babies grow, thrive, and feel surrounded by care.

From the Prenatal & Infant Care Network, to the Prenatal & Infant Care Resource Directory, to the many caring agencies we partner with to lift families up, we’re grateful for every opportunity to walk alongside mothers with encouragement and hope.

To every mom, and everyone who has played the role of mother, thank you for the life you nurture and the light you bring to our community. We’re celebrating you today!

05/09/2026

The Way of Compassion

May 15, 2026 | 01:00 PM

What is compassion? What does it mean to compassionately care for another? And, how can we practice compassion in our lives and ministries? During mental health awareness month, join Notre Dame's McGrath Institute for Church Life to grow in understanding about compassion, with special consideration of how to accompany those impacted by mental illness.

What is compassion? What does it mean to compassionately care for another? And, how can we practice compassion in our lives and ministries? During Mental Health

05/08/2026

In the month of May we join Pope Leo XIV in prayer that everyone might have food.

Let us pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food, and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food.

We encourage you to join us and the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network to unite in his prayer intentions. Learn more here: https://www.popesprayer.va/

05/08/2026