News – Page 20 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Karnes City UMC Welcomes New Wesley Nurse

DW Admin on November 15, 2014

Wesley Nurse to offer community health care services

Karnes City, Texas — Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) is excited to offer the Wesley Nurse program in Karnes City at the United Methodist Church. The signature program is MHM's largest program geographically with more than 80 sites accross South Texas. The health and wellness program is committed to serving the least served through education, health promotion and collaboration with the individual and community in achieving improved wellness through self-empowerment.

Since 2009, Karnes City United Methodist Church has partnered with MHM to offer area residents direct access to the Wesley Nurse program in their neighborhood. This unique model of faith community nursing is committed to education, health promotion and collaboration. Anyone looking to improve their physical, mental or spiritual health can find support and assistance through this local program.

Katy Gonzales, RN, is a seasoned healthcare professional with over 10 years of experience serving as a home health field nurse and a nursing administrator prior to joining MHM. She looks forward to empowering her clients by sharing information with them about the various resources available within their local community.

Katy's programming as a Wesley Nurse will include blood pressure and glucose screenings, group and individual health education programs, physical activity and nutritional support and referral services. Her goal is to provide holistic health (body, mind and spirit) services and resources to those those in need.

"I want to educate, empower and give each client the tools they need to live a healthy lifestyle," explains Gonzales.

Ms. Gonzales' office is located at the United Methodist Church (201 N. Esplanade St.). Normal office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours are subject to change due to Wesley Nurse program responsibilities and community outreach. For additional information, call (830) 780-3307 or visit www.mhm.org.

Family Wellness programs shine at Open House exhibit

DW Admin on November 8, 2014

Methodist Healthcare Ministries' (MHM) team members, leadership, community partners and special guests gathered at the organization's corporate office on Tuesday, Oct. 21 for a photography exhibit of twelve portraits showcasing clients who have excelled in the Family Wellness programs offered at MHM's Wesley Health & Wellness Center (WHWC).

The clients represented the variety of recreation and enrichment activities and parenting programs available as part of the Family Wellness programs such as basketball, line dancing, ballet folklorico, jewelry making, quilting, knitting, Meld Young Moms and Meld Young Dads and Los Mariachitos de Wesley – a Mariachi and Cultural Arts program operated at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center. Many of the clients featured in the photographs regularly volunteer to lead these popular classes. The evening was complemented by an elegant array of hors d'oeuvres prepared by the Wesley Café. The Café's involvement with the open house was especially significant given its importance to the Family Wellness programs. The Wesley Café prepares healthy and nutritious meals for the children and guests of WHWC, and serves as an emergency food pantry and bread line to those in need.

"The Open House was truly a celebration. We honored the service and dedication of our clients and celebrated the success of the Family Wellness programs. We are also proud of these beautiful pieces of art, which will make their way to their final home at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center for all to enjoy." shared Jessica Muñoz-Sherfey, director of communications.

For more information about the MHM's Family Wellness program, visit mhm.org.

Sí Texas Project to boost healthcare in Rio Grande Valley

DW Admin on November 6, 2014

By Rebecca "Becca" Brune, Vice President of Strategic Planning & Growth

When Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) approved a funding alternatives strategic initiative last April, we shifted our operational model quite dramatically. Prior to that time, MHM's single revenue source came from its one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System (MHS) – the largest health care system in South Texas. This ownership seat provided the organization a pool of money to dedicate to its own owned and operated programs, and to serve as a source of funding to like-minded nonprofits with a similarly-focused mission of providing quality health care to the uninsured or underinsured.

The ability to seek funding beyond what our ownership of MHS provides us meant that MHM could now seek out alternate sources of funding to address the severe lack of health care services to a large population of South Texans and have a stronger impact on population health outcomes. Now over a year since the organization's board of directors first approved the initiative, we're pleased to see our grant-seeking efforts being realized.

On Sep. 17, at the Social Innovation Fund Convening in Washington, DC, the Corporation for National and Community Service named MHM among one of seven new grant awards. The Social Innovation Fund (SIF), a key White House initiative and program of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) was created in 2009. MHM is counted in the fund's fifth class of grantees and is the only faith-based organization in the nation to receive an award.

Through SIF, MHM was awarded $10 million to serve as an intermediary. The project, being referred to a Sí Texas: Social Innovation for a Healthy South Texas, will support integrated behavioral health models to stimulate improvements in behavioral health and chronic disease in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, Willacy, Kenedy, Brooks, Jim Hogg, Zapata, Duval, Jim Wells, Kleberg and Webb counties.

In accordance with SIF's model, MHM will match every federal dollar 1-to-1 in cash and then select nonprofit organizations, or subgrantees, through an open process for awards which will range from $250,000 to $2 million per year for up to five years. These grant awards are intended to leverage additional cash match 1:1 from nonfederal funding sources.

The request for proposals is available at MHM.org/SíTexas. On Nov. 11, MHM will host a press conference in McAllen to officially announce the project.

Federal Program Marks Fifth Anniversary; Announces $51.8 Million in Investments to Grow Community Solutions That Work

DW Admin on October 31, 2014

September 17, 2014

Key Obama Administration Initiative Makes Investments in Seven Organizations Focused on Innovative Solutions, Expanding Economic Opportunity for Youth, and Leveraging Collective Impact Approaches

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Social Innovation Fund (SIF) at the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) today announced an investment of $33.7 million in seven of the nation’s leading grantmakers. The investments, which were announced at the live-streamed opening plenary of the SIF’s Annual Grantee Convening, will help grow innovative, evidence-based organizations that work on youth development, economic opportunity, and healthy futures. $18.1 million in continuation funding was also announced for existing grantees to sustain program growth.

By the end of this year SIF and its non-federal partners will have provided more than $700 million in funding to groups and organizations that are committed to finding the best solutions for their communities’ challenges. In partnership with more than 30 intermediaries, who in turn have invested in more than 200 nonprofits in 37 states and Washington, DC , the SIF portfolio now represents a $243.4 million federal investment. This investment is expected to leverage more than $540 million in non-federal match commitments.

The 2014 class of grantees includes two community foundations, a first for the SIF. All seven new grantees will also be leveraging, and testing, a Collective Impact model through which communities work collaboratively across sectors to identify challenges, set goals, and track progress together.

“We are excited about this new class of Social Innovation Fund grantees because they are among the most cutting edge grant-makers in social innovation,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “The investment in these organizations will not only bolster local programs’ capacity to serve more individuals in need, but also provide communities with programs that work.”

In the next several months, these intermediary organizations will host their own competitions to select innovative, effective nonprofits. Successful applicants will receive grants of $100,000 or more for periods of three to five years. Each organization must show at least preliminary evidence of impact. Nonprofits will work with the SIF and the intermediary organizations to design rigorous evaluation plans that will increase levels of evidence. The evaluation plans will also lead to replicable models and meaningful lessons for the broader social sector.

“Five years ago the Social Innovation Fund was created to find solutions that work, and make them work for more people – signaling a shift in the way the government and philanthropy invest in community solutions,” said Michael Smith, director of the Social Innovation Fund. “Five years later, we’ve become a national solutions accelerator and amplifier, investing hundreds of millions of dollars, along with our private sector partners to prove, improve and scale solutions that work. This newest class of grantees will take our work to new heights and deeper depths, with a greater emphasis on collective impact and data-driven mobilization, and an urgent focus on big bets to tackle some of the greatest challenges facing our communities.”

The grantees include:

AARP Foundation, The Women’s Economic Stability Initiative
An investment of $3 million will allow the AARP Foundation to expand its Women’s Economic Stability Initiative (WESI) to low-income women ages 50 to 64 in Alabama, Florida, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Texas. WESI provides support at the individual and community levels to help women find employment in growth industries and increase their financial capability.
Boston Foundation, Boston Coaching for Completion
A grant of $2.7 million for one year will allow the Boston Foundation to implement Boston Coaching for Completion, an effort designed to raise post-secondary completion rates, especially for the most vulnerable youth populations in the Boston area.
Jobs for the Future, Inc., Opportunity Youth Innovation Fund
Through a $6 million investment, Jobs for the Future and its partner, the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions, seeks to improve education and career outcomes for youth disconnected from school or work, also known as Opportunity Youth, in 12 communities across the country. The expectation is that participating youth will earn a diploma or its equivalent and enter postsecondary education at twice the rate of peers who do not receive these services.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., Sí Texas: Social Innovation for a Healthy Texas
A $10 million grant will allow Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas to implement a program designed to improve rates of depression and diabetes in high-poverty communities in the Rio Grande Valley.
Share Our Strength, The No Kid Hungry Campaign: Ending Childhood Hunger in America
With $1.5 million in funding from the SIF, Share Our Strength will accelerate the growth of its No Kid Hungry campaign. With a bold goal to end childhood hunger in the U.S., Share Our Strength plans to complete the first ever assessment of the impact of childhood hunger of a comprehensive strategy that engages all five federal nutrition programs.
Silicon Valley Community Foundation, The Big Lift Social Innovation Fund
$7.5 million will allow the Silicon Valley Community Foundation to implement The Big Lift, a collective impact collaborative of more than 100 organizations that will provide funds to preschool and other organizations involved in the academic and social education of preschool students and is designed to increase the number of third graders who read proficiently in 11 high need school districts in San Mateo County, California.
United Way of Greenville County, Middle Grades Success Initiative
Through a $3 million grant, United Way of Greenville County will design a dropout prevention program for middle grade students. The program will use an Early Warning Response System, real-time data to identify students who begin to disengage from school. A team will then match students with appropriate interventions and resources

$18.1 million in continuation funding was also announced today for existing grantees to sustain program growth.

The SIF provides grant funding to experienced grantmaking intermediaries that identify the most promising programs and guide them towards greater impact and stronger evidence of success. These grants range from $1 to$10 million annually for up to five years. The intermediaries then match the federal funds dollar-for-dollar and hold open competitions to identify high-performing nonprofit organizations that help low-income communities and have innovative solutions with evidence of compelling results. Once selected, these nonprofits must also match the funds they receive, and participate in rigorous evaluations of the impact of their programs. The nonprofits share data, lessons learned and results – helping to build the capacity of the social sector and lift up solutions that can transform lives and communities.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the President's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

View original article at http://www.nationalservice.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2014/federal-program-marks-fifth-anniversary-announces-518-million.

MHM recognized for commitment to wellness

DW Admin on October 29, 2014

On Sep. 18, MHM was recognized as a finalist for the San Antonio Business Journal’s 2014 Healthiest Employer’s Awards. This honor applauds the organization’s commitment to creating and maintaining a healthy workplace.

Several team members represented MHM at an awards breakfast held at the Pearl Stables to help celebrate corporate wellness programs. The second annual awards event began with a one mile walk along the San Antonio River Walk and included free health screenings. Team members met with local finalists and award winners who are dedicated to leading the way in creating the best workplace wellness programs in San Antonio.

“We have access to many helpful benefits through MHM’s employee wellness program, MHM Be Well. It reminds me of how much MHM cares about the team’s wellbeing. That also makes me proud to work at MHM,” shared Regina Garcia, benefits administrator. For more information about MHM’s benefits package, visit www.mhm.org/contact/careers.

What is your favorite part of the MHM Be Well program? Please share your comments below.

There’s a New Wesley Nurse in Town

DW Admin on October 20, 2014

By Bonnita Bale, RN

There is a new addition to the First United Methodist Church family in Robert Lee and Bronte. My name is Bonnita Bale, and I am a Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Wesley Nurse. What is a Wesley Nurse you ask? I am a Registered Nurse, but instead of working in a hospital or clinic setting, I work in the community in partnership with the church to offer holistic health education and services, while practicing the values of the faith community.

I can provide blood pressure and glucose screenings and education on various conditions and diseases at no cost. Likewise, I may also be a resource to those who are uninsured and in need of supplies to manage their health, such as glucose testing supplies or referring to other agencies for additional programs or services. I focus on caring for the whole person—body, mind and spirit. Everyone is welcome and all classes are free. Our ministry is to help prevent illness and disease by educating the public, while helping the underserved in our community.

The Wesley Nurse office is located behind the Methodist Church in Bronte and Robert Lee. I’m in Bronte on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings; and, in Robert Lee I am in the office on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoon. Please stop by my office anytime with any questions you might have, or call 325-473-2069.

MHM Raises more than $30,000 for the National MS Society

DW Admin on October 14, 2014

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling, disease of the central nervous system that interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Millions of people are affected by MS and the challenges of living with its unpredictable symptoms, which range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis.

In partnership with the Methodist Healthcare System, we have formed a team to participate in the Bike MS: Valero Ride to the River on October 11 & 12.

Bike MS is a weekend-lone and life-long opportunity to make a difference. It’s a group effort that transcends personal accomplishment and touches the lives of thousands of people affected by MS in our community.

Our 2014 fundraising goal is $72,500. To date, we have recruited 70 members to the team and raised over $30,000 to support cutting-edge research and programs and services for everyone impacted by MS.

To donate to MHvsMS or join the team, visit our team page at http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?team_id=388727&pg=team&fr_id=22999.

MHM Joins EnrollSA

DW Admin on October 13, 2014

Latinos are the uninsured at the highest rate of any ethnic group in the United States (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2013). 52% of women report delaying medical needs because of cost (Commonwealth Fund, 2009).

That’s why, in part, EnrollSA, a coalition of grassroots nonprofit, health care and government leaders to empower individuals to take advantage of the affordable care act to increase health care coverage in Bexar county, was founded.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries has a long history of partnering with like-minded organizations to increase health care coverage for South Texans. Joining EnrollSA helps us move closer to ensuring all residents receive the care they deserve.

Connect with EnrollSA at www.enrollsa.com or join the conversation by using the hashtag #EnrollSA or #GetBexarCovered.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Advocacy Campaign Awarded Notable Honorable Mention

DW Admin on September 29, 2014

Methodist Healthcare Ministries joins a prestigious list of nonprofit public relations professionals who have been recognized for their creativity and inspiration by world-renowned industry leader, Lawrence Ragan Communications, Inc. MHM's What If: A Texas Solution to Medicaid campaign has been selected as an honorable mention in the best advocacy/awareness campaign category of Ragan Communication's PR Daily 2014 Nonprofit PR Awards. Of 150 submissions, MHM was selected as one of five honorable mentions. Other notable honorable mentions include the Avon Foundation for Women, Carnegie Corporate of New York and Steege Thomson for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

To view a full list of the 2014 Nonprofit PR Awards winners, visit: http://www.prdaily.com/Awards/NPA2014.aspx. Lawrence Ragan Communications, Inc. publishes leading communication newsletters that are read by public relations and corporate communicators across the country. After more than 30 years, Ragan has become a trusted resource for timely, practical and relevant information that professionals use to help support and improve their communication skills and strategies. In addition to the 16 newsletters published by Ragan, they also offer conferences, workshops and senior-level forums for further skill development.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. Receives $10 Million Federal Investment to Enhance Health Outcomes in South Texas

DW Admin on September 17, 2014

Sept. 17, 2014

Award is the first of its kind in Texas

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Corporation for National and Community Service’s (CNCS) Social Innovation Fund (SIF) today announced that Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) received $10 million in investments, the results of a highly competitive open grant competition. The investment, announced at the SIF’s Annual Grantee Convening, in Washington D.C., will help expand innovative, evidence-based solutions to challenges facing low-income communities across the country in the areas of youth development, economic opportunity and healthy futures.

Five years into the program launched by President Obama in 2009, the Social Innovation Fund and its non-federal partners have committed to invest more than $700 million in effective community solutions. Including the grants announced today, the SIF portfolio now represents a $229.3 million federal investment in partnership with 27 intermediaries co-investing in 217 nonprofits in 37 states and Washington, DC. This modest federal investment is expected to leverage more than $540 million in non-federal match commitments.

Since its inception, MHM has invested over $550 million in healthcare services through its clinics and programs, as well as through its partnerships, and has the unique distinction of being the largest private funding source for community health care to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas.

This year alone, MHM has provided $22.3 million in grants to 75 non-profit agencies that are also providing primary medical and dental care, behavioral health and social services to low-income families and the uninsured in their respective communities. The funds received through the Social Innovation Fund will be used to provide additional funding to organizations through a competitive application process, ranging from $250,000 to $2 million, and will include rigorous measurement and evaluation procedures to build sub-grantees’ capacity to increase the level of evidence supporting the efficacy of their programs.

“We are excited about this new class of Social Innovation Fund grantees because they are among the most cutting edge grantmakers in social innovation,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “The investment in these organizations will not only bolster local programs capacity to serve more individuals in need, but also provide communities with programs that work.”

“Funding from the Social Innovation Fund will complement MHM’s current investments in South Texas, while at the same time, as part of its Board of Directors’ strategic direction, allow the organization to engage in regional collaborative strategies,” explained Kevin C. Moriarty, MHM president and CEO. “Most importantly, it will allow us to leverage critical resources for agencies that are providing much-needed services in areas of tremendous need.”

This new class of grantees represents several firsts for the SIF, and addresses the major funding priorities of this competition to reemphasize innovation, expand opportunity for those in greatest need and collective impact over incremental programmatic gains. The 2014 cohort includes the SIF’s first two community foundation grantees, expansion to high-needs populations in the South East, South West and Northern California, and programs focused on older women facing economic hardship, childhood hunger and Opportunity Youth (youth 16-24 disconnected from school and work). And, in an overwhelming response to a new funding priority, all seven grantees will be leveraging and testing, a Collective Impact model, where communities work collaboratively across sectors to identify challenges, set goals and track progress together.

“Five years ago the Social Innovation Fund was created to find solutions that work, and make them work for more people – signaling a shift in the way the government and philanthropy invests in community solutions. Five years later, we’ve become a national solutions accelerator and amplifier, investing hundreds of millions of dollars, along with our private sector partners to prove, improve and scale solutions that work. This newest class of grantees will take our work to new heights and deeper depths, with a greater emphasis on collective impact and data-driven mobilization, and an urgent focus on big bets to tackle some of the greatest challenges facing our communities,” said Michael Smith, Director of the Social Innovation Fund.

In the next several months Methodist Healthcare Ministries will hold an open competition to select innovative, effective nonprofits to receive grants. These solutions must have at least preliminary evidence of impact, and nonprofits will work the SIF and the intermediary organizations to design rigorous evaluation plans that will increase levels of evidence and lead to replicable models and meaningful lessons for the broader social sector.

Summer Meltdown Challenge

DW Admin on July 23, 2014

Mason County News

With so many free exercise programs in Mason, it’s not difficult to find something for everyone. For those of you who want to pursue a fitness program this summer, we have just the challenge for you. It’s the Summer Meltdown Challenge. There are at least 13, YES, 13 FREE exercise programs offered in Mason. There is literally something for everyone.

Classes are offered at convenient indoor locations that can fit almost any schedule and any level of ability. Bring a friend or come to make new friends. A few benefits of exercise include improved flexibility, balance, strength & endurance. Exercise not only tones up your body, but it tunes up you mind. Participants in this challenge can attend as many programs as they desire. Just remember, if you haven’t been physically active for a while, go slow. Don’t look for perfection-look for improvement.

Activity logs are available at each class for tracking time invested in physical activity & we will have a covered dish celebration event at the conclusion of the challenge with 3 prizes presented to the participants who have logged the most hours. For those who exercise, but do not want to participate in the challenge, be sure to enter your name for the monthly drawings.

For general questions, you may contact Ann Scarth at 347-5983. Here is a roster of classes in the order of available times with leader contact information: Shape Up Class (women only), 8 a.m., M/W/F, at River of Life with Catherine Dyer (347-9497); Yoga (for men & women) 8 a.m. T/T Mason library with Patti Grote (347-5446); Tai Chi (for men & women), 8:00 a.m., M-F, First United Methodist Church, with Eva Tannehill (347-1518); Zumba Gold (women only), 10:00 a.m., T/T, First United Methodist Church with Lynn Hedges (347-7407); Walk 2B Fit (for men & women), 10:00 a.m., M/W/F, First United Methodist Church with Ann Scarth (347-5983); Wellness Exercise (for men & women), 3:00 p.m., M/W/F, St. Paul Lutheran with Sara Banta (347-5582); Zumba (regular) (women only), 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays & 5 p.m. on Thursdays, River of Life Church with Rene Ince (347-2101); Shape Up Class (women only), 5:15 p.m., M/W, River of Life Church with Michelle Ingracia (347-9413); Hot Yoga (for men & women), 5:15 p.m., every other Wednesday ((June 18th, July 2nd, etc.), Lamplight Designs on Spring Street with Deborah Hofmann (347-5278); Zumba (regular) (women only), 5:30 p.m., Mondays, St. Paul Lutheran Church with Chel Terrell (347-7301); Yoga’latis (women only), 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays, River of Life Church with Deborah Hofmann (347-5278); Yoga (for men & women), 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays-basic, Thursdays-intermediate, Mason ISD library, Cindy Morris (please contact at cindy.morris@masonisd.net); Restorative Yoga (for men & women), Mondays 7:45 p.m., Wednesdays 6:30 p.m., Power Barn (behind Dollar General) with Deborah Hofmann (347-5278). (Instructors not in the attached photo include: Sara Banta, Patti Grote, Deborah Hofmann, Rene Ince & Michelle Ingracia.)

http://www.masoncountynews.com/news/116685/

Do Well Be Well With Diabetes Program in Mason

DW Admin on May 16, 2014

Mason County News

The Wesley Nurse at First United Methodist Church and the County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences invites you to take part in the free program, Do Well Be Well with Diabetes for people with type 2 diabetes. The program will be held on 4 consecutive Wednesday afternoons in May, (May 7, 14, 21, & 28) from 1:30 to 3:30 in the Social Hall at First United Methodist Church. There will be recipe demonstrations and materials. The program will help you know how to better control you blood sugar as we learn “what is diabetes” and “what is blood sugar”, what to eat to better control blood sugar, diabetes and exercise, and how to prevent complications. Please call or email by May 5 to preregister! These classes, including all materials and recipe demonstrations at each class are FREE, but please preregister to assist in making sure enough supplies will be available to participants. Contact info: Ann Scarth, RN, Wesley Nurse, 325-347-5983 or Kristy Powell, County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences kmpowell@tamu.edu, 325-347-6459.

According to the CDC, as of 2010 there are a total of 25.8 million people, or 8.3% of the U.S. population, who have diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults age 20-74 years and the leading cause of kidney disease. Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes. Studies have found that improved control of blood sugar reduces the risk of microvascular complications of diabetes. Studies also show that blood pressure control reduces the risk of cardiovascular and micro vascular complications and that improved control of LDL cholesterol can reduce cardiovascular complications. To find out how YOU can do well and be well with diabetes, please attend this free class.

http://www.masoncountynews.com/news/116068/