Mercy’s Health Equity Fund awards support to eight local non-profits

Mercy Medical Center is pleased to announce that it will be awarding funds from its Health Equity Fund to eight local nonprofit agencies. Mercy’s Health Equity Fund is designed to provide individuals in Linn County and seven surrounding communities with the opportunity to attain full health potential – regardless of social position or other socially defined circumstances – through assistance from local nonprofit organizations.

In total, Mercy received 31 applications for financial support. Of those, the following nonprofits were awarded funds ranging from $12,500 to $25,000 each.

• Arc of East Central Iowa = $20,000
• Area Ambulance (partnering with the Linn County Mental Health Access Center) = $20,000
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque (Cedar Rapids office) = $20,000
• Feed Iowa First = $20,000
• HACAP Food Reservoir = $20,000
• Horizons, A Family Service Alliance = $20,000
• Iowa Legal Aid = $12,500
• NewBo City Market = $25,000

“As a locally owned and operated hospital since 1900, Mercy is committed to the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” said Melissa Dean, Mercy’s Director of Health Equity & Community Partnerships. “Mercy recognizes the significant downstream influence of community conditions on an individual’s health. To advance health equity, we are pleased to support and partner with these local organizations that are engaging in strategies to address the root causes of poor health.”

Local organizations that applied for financial support could request funding for programs that focus on: access to behavioral health services; food insecurity; safe and affordable housing; or supporting individuals who are experiencing homelessness.

Mercy will present an award to each organization (in the order listed below) between 1 and 4 p.m. on Wed., Aug. 2:

• HACAP, 1515 Hawkeye Drive, Hiawatha, IA 52233
• Area Ambulance Service, 2730 12th St. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
• Catholic Charities, 420 Sixth St. SE, Suite 220, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
• Iowa Legal Aid, 317 Seventh Ave. SE, #404, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
• Arc of East Central Iowa, 680 Second St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
• NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
• Horizons, 819 Fifth St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
• Feed Iowa First, 6945 Lakeside Road, Marion, IA 52302

Mercy’s vice president of mission integration will also be offering a blessing at each of the award presentation locations.