Serving Humanity to Honor God
We are broadening the definition of health care beyond providing high-quality care when people are sick to address systemic inequities so that more people can reach their full potential for health and life.
San Antonio, TX (January 9, 2025) – Three community coalitions from across South Texas have been selected for the fourth cohort of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ (MHM) Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together (PJTT) Implementation Phase. MHM has committed $4.6 million in funding over the next three years to enable the coalitions to advance their work. Earlier this year, the coalitions completed the six-month PJJT Learning Collaborative that began in March 2024. Through the Learning Collaborative, the coalitions explore various frameworks to equip themselves to develop and implement a health equity strategy with their community.
Launched in 2021, PJTT accompanies communities in their journey toward health equity. MHM believes communities hold the solutions to improve their health and well-being. The goal of the annual PJTT Learning Collaborative is to equip coalitions with skills and resources to shift power and address root causes of health equity using the Pathways to Population Health framework as a guide.
The coalitions are based in two geographic areas: the Mid-Border region (Dimmit, Edwards, Kinney, LaSalle, Maverick, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde and Zavala counties), and the Laredo area (Webb, Zapata and Jim Hogg counties). Coalitions funded in the implementation phase receive continued support through convenings, coaching, peer learning, funding and focused capacity-building. The support provided by MHM is for the purpose of advancing each coalition’s health equity strategy.
“Methodist Healthcare Ministries endeavors to advance health equity through the Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together program, which exemplifies our strategic focus of strengthening communities,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “Seeing these coalitions move into the implementation phase is inspiring as we witnessed their deep level of engagement with the learning collaborative while they identified the solutions, they want to pursue for the people who live, work, pray, and play in the communities we all serve.”
The coalitions selected for this cohort include:
Mid-Border Region Coalitions
- Community Transformation Alliance
- Election Nerds LLC, Eagle Pass SAFE, Eagle Pass Firefighter Union Local 5490
- Manos Unidas
- MCHD Foundation, Organization for Disaster Relief, Consulado de México
Laredo Area Coalitions
- Fight Like a Kid
- Smiles From Heaven, Bondoc Security Services, South’s Boot Camp
The Manos Unidos coalition is located in Maverick County and is primarily focused on the issue of domestic violence. By improving the understanding of and delivery of available resources for individuals affected by domestic violence, the organizations in the coalition have come together to address this issue that impacts so many in their community. The coalition stated, “No one should live in fear. It is not acceptable, not inevitable, but together, we can make it stop.”
To advance to the Implementation Phase, the coalitions completed the Learning Collaborative in good standing and were then invited to apply for the Implementation Phase. This phase lasts three years, during which MHM will continue to support and journey alongside the coalitions as they implement their visions for healthy, thriving communities. Since 2022, MHM has committed nearly $24 million to support coalitions through the Implementation Phase.
For more information on the Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together Learning Collaborative, visit: https://www.mhm.org/thriving-communities/.
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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of health care by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals and families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.
San Antonio, TX (January 9, 2025) – Three community coalitions from across South Texas have been selected for the fourth cohort of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ (MHM) Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together (PJTT) Implementation Phase. MHM has committed $4.6 million in funding over the next three years to enable the coalitions to advance their work. Earlier this year, the coalitions completed the six-month PJJT Learning Collaborative that began in March 2024. Through the Learning Collaborative, the coalitions explore various frameworks to equip themselves to develop and implement a health equity strategy with their community.
Launched in 2021, PJTT accompanies communities in their journey toward health equity. MHM believes communities hold the solutions to improve their health and well-being. The goal of the annual PJTT Learning Collaborative is to equip coalitions with skills and resources to shift power and address root causes of health equity using the Pathways to Population Health framework as a guide.
The coalitions are based in two geographic areas: the Mid-Border region (Dimmit, Edwards, Kinney, LaSalle, Maverick, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde and Zavala counties), and the Laredo area (Webb, Zapata and Jim Hogg counties). Coalitions funded in the implementation phase receive continued support through convenings, coaching, peer learning, funding and focused capacity-building. The support provided by MHM is for the purpose of advancing each coalition’s health equity strategy.
“Methodist Healthcare Ministries endeavors to advance health equity through the Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together program, which exemplifies our strategic focus of strengthening communities,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “Seeing these coalitions move into the implementation phase is inspiring as we witnessed their deep level of engagement with the learning collaborative while they identified the solutions, they want to pursue for the people who live, work, pray, and play in the communities we all serve.”
The coalitions selected for this cohort include:
Mid-Border Region Coalitions
- Community Transformation Alliance
- Election Nerds LLC, Eagle Pass SAFE, Eagle Pass Firefighter Union Local 5490
- Manos Unidas
- MCHD Foundation, Organization for Disaster Relief, Consulado de México
Laredo Area Coalitions
- Fight Like a Kid
- Smiles From Heaven, Bondoc Security Services, South’s Boot Camp
The Manos Unidos coalition is located in Maverick County and is primarily focused on the issue of domestic violence. By improving the understanding of and delivery of available resources for individuals affected by domestic violence, the organizations in the coalition have come together to address this issue that impacts so many in their community. The coalition stated, “No one should live in fear. It is not acceptable, not inevitable, but together, we can make it stop.”
To advance to the Implementation Phase, the coalitions completed the Learning Collaborative in good standing and were then invited to apply for the Implementation Phase. This phase lasts three years, during which MHM will continue to support and journey alongside the coalitions as they implement their visions for healthy, thriving communities. Since 2022, MHM has committed nearly $24 million to support coalitions through the Implementation Phase.
For more information on the Prosperemos Juntos | Thriving Together Learning Collaborative, visit: https://www.mhm.org/thriving-communities/.
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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of health care by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals and families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.
(San Antonio, TX October 29, 2024) – In 2024, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.(MHM) is seeking proposals from qualified partners to conduct an environmental scan and assist with a SWOT analysis to be utilized as key strategic planning inputs for its 74-county service area. Interested entities have until November 12 to submit a proposal.
The primary objective of the environmental scan is to systematically gather, analyze, and assess external environments to identify barriers and facilitators to health and well-being across MHM’s service area. By identifying both barriers and facilitators, the scan aims to inform the strategic plan as a priority, along with having some influence on policy and practice to better address well-being challenges within the community and priority areas.
The preferred approach will include identifying and analyzing external macro environmental factors impacting health outcomes utilizing the STEEPLE framework. As such, the successful environmental scan will include factors influencing public health outcomes including examining broader social, technological, economic, environmental, political, legal, and ethical trends and developments.
“This exciting project will go a long way to helping inform and direct where MHM directs its resources and attention in the coming years as we strive to fulfill our mission of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God,’” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries.
The resulting scan and analysis will be utilized, along with a SWOT analysis, for identifying new opportunities and prioritizing strategies that are in alignment with MHM’s focus on health equity. The partner selected will provide curated data, analysis, thought leadership, and recommendations to support the development and successful implementation of tools for strategic planning activities including goal setting, visioning, and prioritizing strategic initiatives.
To view the RFP, visit MHM.org or click here. Interested applicants with questions should contact Sandra Martinez, Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships at smartinez@mhm.org.
MHM believes that to improve the wellness of the least served and fully live out its mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God,” it must recognize the inequities inherent in its communities that contribute to poor health outcomes. Health Equity is both the process and goal by which MHM seeks to carry out that purpose. Health Equity is a framework of thought and action that strives to reduce racial and socio-economic disparities and create fair and just opportunities for every person to reach their full potential for health and life and contribute to that of others.
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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of health care by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.
SAN ANTONIO (October 11) – Nutrition management startup Yumlish took home first place at last night’s Demo Day pitch competition presented by VelocityTX and Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. The event, which featured five startups from the US and Canada, marked the culmination of the inaugural Community Health Accelerator, an entrepreneurial development program aimed at advancing early-stage companies with innovations that address the social determinants of health.
Competing for the opportunity to pilot their technologies with Methodist Healthcare Ministries, the cohort companies made a five-minute pitch, followed by questions from the panel judges, which included Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Board Members Erika Prosper and Ashley Hixon, VelocityTX Board Chairman Preston Woolfolk and Methodist Healthcare Ministries President & CEO Jaime Wesolowski.
“We have worked hard to create an accessible solution for Spanish-speaking communities, and we are so excited that MHM recognizes the value of our work and the impact it can have on diabetes prevalence in the RGV community,” said Yumlish Founder and CEO Shireen Abdullah.
Administered by VelocityTX, the Community Health Accelerator is a first-of-its-kind program designed to help companies develop solutions that address the non-medical factors influencing health outcomes. Over the course of the program, the startups worked closely with experts on topics such as market strategy, fundraising, and pitching, with the goal of preparing them for successful growth and deployment.
“We are incredibly proud of Yumlish and their commitment to improving community wellness,” said Rene Dominguez, President and CEO of VelocityTX. “The solutions presented today demonstrate the power of innovation to address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges, and we look forward to seeing the impact Yumlish will have in the months and years ahead.”
Speaking at the Carver Community Cultural Center after the event, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ President & CEO Jaime Wesolowski, remarked, “We are excited to see the fruits of this partnership with VelocityTX become a reality by creating a hub of innovation that launches improvement in the social determinants of health for years to come. This partnership is propelling innovation and sustainable solutions at the intersection of business and community impact that can transform healthcare delivery for those most in need. We believe that Yumlish has the potential to create lasting impact, and we are excited to partner with them in this next phase of their journey.”
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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.
About VelocityTX
Formerly known as the Texas Research & Technology Foundation, VelocityTX is a nonprofit organization established in 1984 to promote sustainable economic and community growth. In carrying out this mission, the organization seeks to advance San Antonio’s life sciences industry through the development of a state-of-the-art bioscience innovation campus on the city's near east side. Based out of the former Merchants Ice & Cold Storage complex, the master planned development will bring together established bioscience companies, healthcare startups, and military medical research organizations in an inclusive community where ideas collide to spur medical breakthroughs. VelocityTX also promotes workforce development through its Step Into STEM program, and provides entrepreneurial support services designed to accelerate the commercialization of emerging medical technologies. Learn more at velocitytx.org.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries is excited to share the details of the next chapter in Community Investments grantmaking.
OUR JOURNEY
Last year, Community Investments took time to examine current philanthropic industry best practices, identify gaps in the service-area resource landscape, and consider how MHM grant support can be most impactful in serving the least served.
Building upon MHM’s health equity strategy, we incorporated equitable grantmaking principles to reduce administrative burdens for grantees and to provide more flexible funding. We sought and incorporated feedback from stakeholders across our region and within our organization. Many of you joined our effort by providing your feedback, and we are grateful. As a result, we will introduce new approaches to grantmaking starting in our 2025 grant cycle. These changes will continue going forward, and MHM will seek new ways to continue our improvement journey.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Two types of grant funding will be offered for the 2025 grant cycle.
- Open Grant Cycle: Proposals are welcomed from organizations serving communities within our 74-county service area. Applications selected for funding will align to priorities within each focus area as outlined by the Community Investment’s Theories of Change. The Theories of Change will provide clarity and offer potential measures for each focus area with the intent to inform the scope of applications, clearly communicate MHM priorities, and ultimately result in a more efficient and transparent process for grant applicants.
- Cornerstone Grants: As illustrated in Isaiah 28:16, a Cornerstone serves as a critical beginning block in construction that provides a strong foundation to build upon as well as directional alignment. In this spirit of strong foundations, MHM will offer invitation-only Cornerstone Grants to select Access to Care and Food Security long-term partners who have consistently demonstrated outcomes aligned to Community Investment's Theories of Change. Cornerstone invitations will be sent directly to organization contacts.
Applications for both grant types must align with one of our six focus areas:
- Access to Care: Mental & Behavioral Health
- Access to Care: General
- Digital Equity
- Food Security
- Housing
- Education & Workforce Development
Both grant types will follow a new payment schedule to move away from cost reimbursement, with no transactional documentation required for fund disbursements. We hope these changes will relieve some administrative burden and allow you and your teams to focus your time and effort on serving our community.
2025 GRANT CYCLE TIMELINE
MHM will launch the 2025 grant cycle beginning in September of 2024.
Additional information will be available on the MHM website in early September, including the link to the open grant cycle application and information to register for the Grant Cycle Webinar.
Current Grantees: We encourage current MHM grantees to reach out to your respective program officers to discuss your proposal. We look forward to learning about your great work.
New Applicants: New applicants may contact the Community Investments team at CommInvestments@mhm.org beginning September 1st to schedule a time to discuss your application.
Thank you for your work in your community and your partnership as we seek to improve wellness among the least served!
