Saint Joseph Hospital and Saint Joseph East Award More Than $330,000 in Grants to Local Nonprofits

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 11, 2025) – Saint Joseph Hospital and Saint Joseph East have awarded $330,420 in grant funding to eight local nonprofit organizations to improve the well-being and health equity of the Lexington area. The grant recipients are Bluegrass Care Navigators, Bluegrass Council of the Blind, Catholic Action Center, Community Inspired Lexington, Hope Center, Inc., LexArts, Refuge for Women, Inc., and YMCA of Central Kentucky.

“At CHI Saint Joseph Health, we are committed to a healthier future for all and addressing the unique needs of our neighbors,” said Matt Grimshaw, MBA, market president, CHI Saint Joseph Health. “Our mission calls out a special focus on serving the vulnerable, and the work of these eight incredible nonprofit organizations in Lexington is essential in advancing well-being and health equity across the area. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and create a brighter, healthier future for all.”

The grant funding will be used for the following projects throughout 2025. Here is what the recipients said about the grants.

Bluegrass Care Navigators, an organization that provides grief services and integrative medicine programs, received $50,000 to help continue their services with community members.

“Bluegrass Care Navigators is deeply grateful to the CommonSpirit Community Health Improvement Grants program for supporting our mission to provide patient-centered care to the seriously ill and their families,” said Liz Fowler, president/CEO. “This funding, made possible by our partners at CHI Saint Joseph Health, will help to ensure that our patients and their families in Central Kentucky continue to receive holistic integrative medicine therapies, such as art, music and massage therapy, and that anyone in need can continue to access our community-based grief care services. Together, we are creating a meaningful impact in the community and improving the mental health and well-being of those we serve."   

Bluegrass Council of the Blind, which addresses food security, mental health and health access for persons with no or low vision, received $20,000 to continue their services.

“People with low vision or who are blind face many challenges on a daily basis,” said Theresa Thomas, executive director. “This generous funding will help us reduce barriers in many ways, including providing essential tools for managing life with vision loss and accessing food and other resources that would otherwise be out of reach. Our partnership with the LFUCG and God’s Pantry Mobile Market, along with the help of our loyal volunteers has been a game-changer for many of our clients, giving them the autonomy and access to shop independently. This can create such a feeling of independence and accomplishment, while filling an essential need.”

Catholic Action Center received $20,000 to support the “Dignity Station,” a mobile shower and laundry outreach service for the unhoused.

“We are honored to receive the Community Health Improvement Grant in support of our mobile Dignity Station, which offers laundry, showers and restrooms for the unhoused, said Ginny Ramsey, director. “The Catholic Action Center appreciates the continued support of CHI Saint Joseph Health, Saint Joseph Hospital and Saint Joseph East as we work together in providing dignity, connection and human kindness to those in need in our community.”

Community Inspired Lexington, which provides opportunities and support for youth and families in the North Lexington community, received $20,420 to help provide nutritional support for families living in food deserts.

“Community Inspired Lexington and our partners are deeply grateful for the incredible support we receive from CHI Saint Joseph Health,” said Rebecca Webb, executive director. “Your generosity goes beyond supporting our food pantry – you make a difference through your volunteers and programming for our summer camp as well. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our community. Together, we’re inspiring hope and creating opportunities for those who need it most!”

Hope Center, an organization that provides comprehensive life-sustaining and life-rebuilding services to promote healing from substance use disorder, mental health disorders and homelessness, received $50,000 to support a mobile health program with meals for Lexington’s unhoused population. 

“Hope Center is honored to be awarded the Community Health Improvement Grant and appreciate the partnership with CHI Saint Joseph Health,” said David Shadd, chief program officer. “With this award, Hope Center will provide enhanced services to Lexington’s unsheltered men and women, providing them with case management support, access to harm reduction supplies, and assistance with getting off the streets and ultimately into permanent housing. Our team will provide support services, including access to medical, mental health and substance use services. Our goal is to provide comprehensive support to our homeless population, helping them improve their lives and move out of homelessness permanently.”

LexArts received $60,000 to address youth mental health through arts programming and engagement workshops for oncology patients at the Saint Joseph East cancer center.

“LexArts extends heartfelt gratitude to CHI Saint Joseph Health for their generous support,” said Nathan Zamarron, vice president. “This partnership allows LexArts to continue the work of the Arts and Health Alliance of Central Kentucky by providing arts engagements that aim to support youth mental health and discuss the health and wellbeing of our community.” 

Refuge for Women, a long-term housing and emergency housing for women who have escaped human trafficking or sexual exploitation, received $60,000 to continue providing direct care staff and client support for women survivors of sex trafficking.

"We are incredibly grateful to CommonSpirit Health for the ongoing support and partnership,” said Deanna Lynn, executive director. “This generous $60,000 grant will have a direct and transformative impact on the lives of the survivors we serve with ensuring availability of direct care of dedicated staff and critical client support costs that help reduce and remove barriers such as legal assistance, basic needs, client activities, and transportation. We are deeply excited about this continued partnership and the opportunity to help more women move forward on their journey toward reintegration. CommonSpirit Health’s commitment to addressing human trafficking and supporting the long-term well-being of survivors is vital in creating a future of hope and opportunity."

YMCA of Central Kentucky received $50,000 to extend and strengthen the LIVESTRONG Program in its with a Mobile “Y on the Move” program. This mobile YMCA minibus will allow staff and volunteers to provide services in our community.  

“We are grateful to be awarded the Community Health Improvement grant, enabling us to further expand LIVESTRONG at the YMCA in 2025,” said Paula Anderson, president and CEO. “Through this partnership, we can advance our shared commitment to whole-person health programming.  This support will help our team enhance the reach and impact of LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, resulting in improved recovery outcomes for individuals impacted by cancer – in spirit, mind, and body – and their caretakers and loved ones." 

Across Kentucky, CHI Saint Joseph Health awarded $493,910 through the grant program, which was open to nonprofit organizations that address the following priorities – substance use disorders, mental health and mental disorders, and weight status, physical activity and nutrition – through projects planned for the next calendar year. The priorities were identified in Saint Joseph East and Saint Joseph Hospital’s most recent community health needs assessment, which is conducted every three years to help the hospitals and community partners identify and address priority health and social needs faced by residents and the region. 

This opportunity was part of the CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grants program. CHI Saint Joseph Health, Saint Joseph East and Saint Joseph Hospital are part of CommonSpirit Health, which was created in 2019 when Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health came together to create a national health system.

About CHI Saint Joseph Health

CHI Saint Joseph Health, a  member of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory Care Center. The hospitals in CHI Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CHI Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services toward a goal of building a healthier future for all. CHI Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

About Saint Joseph Hospital

Saint Joseph Hospital is a 433-bed hospital located in Lexington, KY. Established in 1877 by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Kentucky, the facility serves residents of central and eastern Kentucky and is a nationally recognized tertiary medical center. Saint Joseph Hospital is Lexington’s first hospital. The hospital’s original mission was to provide compassionate care to the poor and underserved – a tradition still carried out today.

About Saint Joseph East

Saint Joseph East is a 217-bed full service community hospital located in the southeastern section of Lexington, KY. Established in 1983, the facility serves residents of central and eastern Kentucky. At Saint Joseph East, ambulatory surgery, 24-hour emergency care and women’s health services are supported through a vast array of inpatient and outpatient programs.

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