Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph East, and Continuing Care Hospital awarded $307,000 in grant funding to eight local nonprofit organizations on March 6 to improve well-being and health equity in the Lexington area.
The grants aim to address pressing health needs in the community by supporting projects that focus on substance use disorders, mental health issues, nutrition, and physical activity. The funding is part of a broader initiative under CommonSpirit Health’s Community Health Improvement Grants program.
The recipients include Catholic Action Center for its Dignity Station Project; Catholic Charities for expanding community gardens; Community Inspired Lexington for nutritional support programs; Lexington Rescue Mission for street outreach focused on mental health and addiction; Mission Health Lexington for free medical services; Northside Common Market for mapping food access points and education kits; Refuge for Women providing transportation and trauma-informed care; and YMCA of Central Kentucky expanding cancer survivor programs. Ginny Ramsey, Executive Director of Catholic Action Center said, “We are honored to receive the Community Health Improvement Grant in support of our mobile hygiene unit the Dignity Station. With the support of Saint Joseph Health and community members, the Dignity Station has offered over 1,500 laundry services, 3,500 showers and restrooms for the unhoused during the two seasons it has operated.”
Dr. Shelli Gregory from Catholic Charities said this grant allows them “to expand our Community Agriculture program… building skills that support long-term self-sufficiency.” Rebecca Webb from Community Inspired Lexington thanked Saint Joseph Health “for this CommonSpirit grant” which enabled expansion into Jessamine and Franklin counties. Laura Carr at Lexington Rescue Mission highlighted that “this grant will not only help people out of homelessness—it will save lives.” Abby Pliszka at Mission Health Lexington said their partnership with Saint Joseph enables them “to meet our patients with dignity…and comprehensive care.” Adina Tatum at Northside Common Market emphasized how investment helps empower communities through healthy food access: “When we strengthen food access, we strengthen health.” Steve Oglesby at Refuge for Women called it a direct impact on survivors’ lives: “Together we are empowering women to move beyond survival mode toward long-term health.” Paula Anderson at YMCA stated: “This partnership reflects a shared commitment to whole-person health… With this funding we can strengthen reach…supporting individuals impacted by cancer.”
Across Kentucky overall $558,200 was awarded through this program. The priorities were identified via a triennial community health needs assessment conducted by Saint Joseph Health.
Saint Joseph Hospital is part of one of Kentucky’s largest healthcare systems with more than 100 locations across 20 counties according to its official website. It is also part of CommonSpirit Health—a national system formed when Catholic Health Initiatives merged with Dignity Health in 2019 according to its official website.
Broader implications include strengthened partnerships between hospitals and local organizations as they work together toward sustainable improvements in public health across central Kentucky.