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Non-Profit of the Week: St. Francis Foundation
updated: Mar 27, 2010, 9:00 AM
The St. Francis Foundation of Santa Barbara promotes and supports health and healing in the Santa Barbara South Coast community, with particular attention to those most in need. The Foundation is the primary funder of the Parish Nursing Community Outreach Program, operated by Cottage Health System. St. Francis Foundation also supports nursing scholarships through Santa Barbara City College and provides grants for local services including healthcare, senior services and end of life care.
History
In 1956, a group of prominent local business people, with a deep desire to help St. Francis Hospital, formed the St. Francis Hospital Foundation. Their goal was to ensure that the hospital continued providing excellent medical care to the local community in the St. Francis tradition. Although St. Francis Medical Center closed its doors permanently in 2003, the St. Francis Foundation continues to promote and support compassionate outreach and healthcare in the Santa Barbara area.
Community Impact
Parish Nursing Program
The St. Francis Foundation is the primary supporter of the Parish Nursing Community Outreach Program, now operated by Cottage Health System. Between July 2008 and June 2009, the Parish Nurses reached 14,489 people in need in the Santa Barbara community, providing health treatment and prevention education, and emotional and spiritual support for people with healthcare challenges.
Parish Nursing was established to ensure that people learn to incorporate good health habits into their daily lives. The nurses also act as client-advocates who educate, assess, and refer individuals to appropriate agencies to meet their healthcare needs.
The Liberty Program
The Liberty Program provides support to those who are actively trying to make a positive change in their lives, while promoting participation in community service activities. Sponsored through the St. Francis Foundation and managed through Cottage Health Systems, the Liberty Program offers qualified individuals free laser treatments to remove visible anti-social, gang or prison tattoos. In exchange, each participant must complete community service work in a non-profit agency.
Nursing Scholarships
The St. Francis Foundation funds nursing scholarships at Santa Barbara City College through an endowment established by the volunteers of St. Francis Medical Center. Each year, St. Francis Foundation provides a minimum of four nursing scholarships. To date, 24 students have reached graduation through this program.
Partnerships and Grants
Between July 2008 and June 2009, the St. Francis Foundation provided over $1.2 million in grants to dozens of local non-profits, including Casa Esperanza Homeless Center, Sarah House, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, Santa Barbara Street Medicine, Food Bank of Santa Barbara County, Hospice of Santa Barbara, Inc., St. Cecilia Society, the Mental Health Association in Santa Barbara County and many more.
With cherished memories of the past, and a vision to the future, the St. Francis Foundation looks forward to the opportunity to continue helping those in the Santa Barbara South Coast community who require assistance, and invites you to join in the mission.
On April 10th, St. Francis Foundation invites former staff, volunteers, patients and friends of the ST. Francis Medical Center to join in a celebration and awards ceremony honoring those who have made memorable contributions to the Spirit of St. Francis. Space is limited and RSVP is required.
For more information, please call the St. Francis Foundation office at (805) 563-4702 or visit www.stfrancisfoundationsb.org.
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