San Antonio, TX (August 24, 2026) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) announced today a $3 million investment to support immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts following the devastating storms and flooding that impacted communities across Central and South Texas in July 2026. The funding will prioritize low-income, uninsured, and underserved residents who face the greatest barriers to recovery. 

The commitment is designed to ensure recovery resources reach those often hardest hit by disasters, including low-income families, rural communities, older adults, and households facing significant financial hardship. Consistent with MHM's mission of advancing health equity and serving the least served, the funding will support both immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts. Of the total investment, $1.2 million will address urgent needs, while $1.8 million will support recovery initiatives beginning in January 2027. 

"When disasters strike, it is often the most vulnerable families who face the longest road to recovery," said Jaime Wesolowski, president and CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. "While immediate assistance is critical, we know that rebuilding homes, restoring stability, and helping communities recover takes years. This investment reflects our commitment to standing alongside our neighbors for the long term." 

The funding comes as communities across the region face big challenges. According to the Texas Division of Emergency Management, more than 2,000 flood-related damage reports have been recorded in MHM service area counties. Many families continue to face barriers to recovery, including limited insurance coverage, housing instability, transportation challenges, and financial hardship. 

MHM's initial $1.2 million commitment will support immediate response efforts through trusted community partners, including the following:  

• Catholic Charities San Antonio 
• Catholic Charities Diocese of Laredo 
• Community Council South Central Texas 
• Rio Texas Conference 

Funding will help provide temporary shelter, meals, clean water, hygiene supplies, emergency financial assistance, home cleanup and remediation, and temporary housing for residents unable to safely return home. Residents impacted by the storms who need assistance are encouraged to contact the agency below nearest to them for available assistance programs and resources: 

"Catholic Charities Diocese of Laredo is grateful for Methodist Healthcare Ministries' generous and compassionate support, as this funding will help us serve families recovering from these devastating floods," said Rebecca Solloa, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Laredo. "These resources will help impacted families address their most urgent needs as they work to repair their homes and rebuild their lives. Through this funding, we will be able to support those most in need with both financial assistance and emotional support, helping them regain stability and move forward with hope." 

Community members who are in a position to help are encouraged to donate to organizations supporting storm recovery efforts. The need for financial support remains urgent, and contributions of any size can help provide immediate assistance, support long-term recovery, and ensure families and communities are not left behind as they rebuild. 

Recognizing that recovery extends far beyond the initial response phase, MHM will invest $1.8 million in long-term recovery efforts beginning in 2027. Funding will support community-driven initiatives, long-term case management, and recovery systems that help families rebuild their lives, address unmet needs, and strengthen community resilience. 

Details regarding long-term recovery funding opportunities will be announced as community needs continue to be assessed. 

As a faith-based organization committed to serving the health needs of the least served, MHM will work alongside nonprofit organizations, community recovery groups, faith leaders, and local partners to ensure resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact. 

"Throughout our history, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has stood alongside communities during times of crisis and recovery," said Wesolowski. "As families work to rebuild their homes, restore their livelihoods, and recover from the emotional impact of these storms, we remain committed to walking alongside them every step of the way. Recovery is not measured in weeks or months, and neither is our commitment to the people and communities we serve." 

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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. 

Rio Grande Valley, Texas (July 24, 2026) –– Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) and Blue Zones hosted four Blue Zones Ignite™ Community Assessment Readouts across Hidalgo County, bringing together residents, community leaders, nonprofit partners, healthcare stakeholders, and local officials to review assessment findings and discuss opportunities to strengthen health and well-being throughout the Rio Grande Valley. 

Held at sites across Mission, Pharr, McAllen, and Edinburg on July 20-21, the community gatherings provided an opportunity to share insights gathered during the Blue Zones Ignite assessment process, which included stakeholder interviews, focus groups, community tours, resident engagement activities, and other community conversations conducted throughout the region. 

The readouts highlighted the unique strengths, assets, and culture that contribute to the vibrancy of Rio Grande Valley communities, while also identifying opportunities for future collaboration aimed at improving quality of life and long-term well-being for residents. 

"At Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we have been honored to serve and partner in the Rio Grande Valley for over 30 years and one of the clearest lessons we have learned is that the Valley already holds deep wisdom about what is working, and what would make the greatest difference," said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. "We are grateful to every resident, community partner, and local leader who shared their perspectives and experiences throughout this process as we know it is the voice of the community that will help shape what comes next." 

During the presentations, Blue Zones shared local well-being data, research findings, and readiness and feasibility insights designed to help community stakeholders better understand factors that influence daily life across Hidalgo County. Attendees also learned about the potential framework of a future Blue Zones Project and how such an initiative could be shaped by local leadership, resident priorities, and community-driven solutions. 

Throughout the assessment process and community readouts, participants emphasized the importance of collaboration among residents, local governments, schools, businesses, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, and community groups in creating environments that support healthier lifestyles and improve overall well-being. 

While the Blue Zones Ignite assessment phase has now concluded, MHM and Blue Zones emphasized that it is now up to the communities to decide whether to move forward with a future Blue Zones Project. Community feedback, continued engagement, and local leadership will remain critical factors in determiningany future direction. 

"The assessment and community conversations demonstrated a strong desire to build on the assets and opportunities that already exist throughout the Rio Grande Valley," Wesolowski said. "We look forward to continuing these conversations and exploring ways to support communities as they pursue their vision for a healthier future." 

For the full Assessment, Readiness, & Feasibility Report on the Rio Grande Valley, visit https://bluezonesriograndevalleyreport.com/#home. 

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About Blue Zones 

Blue Zones employs evidence-based ways to help people live better, longer. The company's work is rooted in explorations and research done by founder and National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner in blue zones regions around the world, where people live extraordinarily long and/or happy lives. The original research and findings were released in Buettner's bestselling books The Blue Zones Solution, The Blue Zones of Happiness, The Blue Zones, Thrive, and Blue Zones Kitchen—all published by National Geographic books. A hit docuseries, Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, was released on Netflix in 2023. Using original Blue Zones research, Blue Zones works with cities and counties to make healthy choices easier through permanent and semi-permanent changes to our human-made surroundings. Participating communities have experienced double-digit drops in obesity and tobacco use and have saved millions of dollars in healthcare costs. For more information, visit www.bluezones.com. 

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. Using its earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare, the organization strives to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. This is accomplished 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, the organization fulfills its mission of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God’ by advancing health equity so that more individuals and families living in its 74-county South and Central Texas service area can thrive. 

San Antonio, Texas (July 23, 2026) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) has released The Blueprint to Longevity, a thought-provoking podcast conversation featuring MHM President and CEO Jaime Wesolowski and Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow and founder of Blue Zones.

In the episode, Wesolowski and Buettner explore the origins of the Blue Zones framework and reflect on how a single conversation sparked a transformative partnership between MHM and communities along the Texas-Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley. Their discussion highlights the power of collaboration, community insight, and a shared vision for improving health and well-being. 

“My first conversation with Dan blossomed into a meaningful collaboration rooted in the strengths and assets of the communities Methodist Healthcare Ministries walks alongside,” said Wesolowski. “I am excited for audiences to learn more about the Blue Zones framework and how one bold idea led to a transformative partnership with the potential to impact nearly one million people living in the Rio Grande Valley.” 

The episode was recorded in June at the Aspen Institute in Colorado during Aspen Ideas: Health (AIH), a global gathering of visionaries and thought leaders across various sectors, including health care, research, advocacy, and policy. 

Since 2024, MHM has led panel and roundtable discussions at the conference. To learn more about MHM's 2026 sessions, Transformative Allies: Re-engineering the Architecture of Partnership and Power and Longevity in Unexpected Places: The Road to Helping People Live to 100, click here. 

To learn more about the full Assessment, Readiness, & Feasibility Report on the Rio Grande Valley, click here.

The podcast is available now on major streaming platforms. 

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.: Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is a private, faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for the uninsured through direct services, community partnerships and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. Guided by its mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God,” Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ vision is to be the leader for improving wellness of the least served. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit www.mhm.org.  

About Blue Zones  

Blue Zones employs evidence-based ways to help people live better, longer. The company’s work is rooted in explorations and research done by founder and National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner in blue zones regions around the world, where people live extraordinarily long and/or happy lives. The original research and findings were released in Buettner’s bestselling books The Blue Zones Solution, The Blue Zones of Happiness, The Blue Zones, Thrive, and Blue Zones Kitchen—all published by National Geographic books. A hit docuseries, Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, was released on Netflix in 2023. Using original Blue Zones research, Blue Zones works with cities and counties to make healthy choices easier through permanent and semi-permanent changes to our human-made surroundings. Participating communities have experienced double-digit drops in obesity and tobacco use and have saved millions of dollars in healthcare costs. For more information, visit www.bluezones.com. 

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