CHRISTUS Health awards more than $300,000 to Southeast Texas nonprofits

Five nonprofit organizations in southeast Texas received grants Monday totaling more than $300,000 for their programs aimed at improving the health and well-being of their communities.

A ceremony at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas – St. Elizabeth 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 is one way we live out our mission, and we are thankful to be able to invest in organizations that make a lasting difference in the communities we serve,” said Jessica Guerra, program manager for community development at CHRISTUS Health. “By working together with these organizations, we bring compassion, healing and hope to those in our community we are called to serve.”

Selected organizations were chosen for their programs addressing community health issues including chronic disease management, health education, mental health and well-being, safe housing and food insecurity.

The recipient organizations from the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System region are:

• Anayat House
• Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas
• Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Texas
• The Salvation Army of Jefferson County
• Triangle Area Network

Founded in 1976 and serving nine counties, the Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas Market to HOPE (Help Other People Eat) program served 1.3 million pounds of food to nearly 4,000 families last year. Its mission is to respond to needs in Southeast Texas by serving, teaching, building community and preserving the dignity of individuals and families.

“We are privileged to be a partner with CHRISTUS, and we’re incredibly grateful for their generous support through their Community Impact Fund,” said Carolyn Fernandez, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas. “This grant for our Market to HOPE program has an immediate benefit to our community. These funds help ensure Southeast Texans have improved access to much-needed food resources for their families.”

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.

Learn more about the CHRISTUS Community Impact Fund.