Mayo Clinic offers aid to nonprofit community of Valley of the Sun
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Mayo Clinic is contributing $22 million to organizations in Arizona, Minnesota and Florida that are working to make communities stronger by helping meet the needs of underserved vulnerable populations.
Mayo Clinic officials tell the Arizona Digital Free Press, $2 million dollars will go to Arizona nonprofit organizations including Circle the City, Adelante Healthcare and The Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
“Our core value is that the needs of the patient come first, and we’re on a pathway to touch people everywhere around the world,” said Dr. Richard Gray, CEO of Mayo Clinic in Arizona. “We have a goal of touching more than half the world’s population by 2030. That includes patients we don’t directly interact with, but still care about. These three organizations are doing wonderful work in helping meet the needs of patients. We are proud to be here in Arizona and want to be a positive force in supporting these organizations for the important work they are doing in our communities.”
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego calls Mayo’s award a huge win for Phoenix in helping heal homelessness.
“This boost in funding will go a long way in providing critical healthcare to those who need it most, ultimately helping put more Phoenicians on a path to permanent housing,” Mayor Gallego said in a prepared statement. “Solving our biggest challenges will require each and every one of us, and I’m grateful to have Mayo Clinic as an ally in this important work.”
Mayo Clinic offers funds nonprofit community of Valley of the Sun
Arizona nonprofit Circle the City will receive $1 million. The nonprofit organization provides medical care to men, women and children experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County.
“Often when patients come to us, they’ve lost all hope. Respite care provides them with a time and place to heal with compassion, dignity and respect,” says Kim Despres, CEO of Circle the City. “We are so grateful to Mayo Clinic for helping us provide this healing and hope in the East Valley.”
Johnny is one of Circle the City’s patients recovering from a medical condition that left him homeless.
“If it weren’t for Circle the City, I wouldn’t be here today,” says Johnny. “I was hurting, and they cared for me and held my hand. Now I’m doing better, and they are helping me find a place to live. Thank you, Mayo Clinic, for supporting this great place.”
Adelante Healthcare will receive $500,000. The federally qualified health center has nine locations in Arizona that provide care to uninsured and underinsured patients. Adelante offers family medicine, pediatrics, women’s healthcare, dental and behavioral health.
“We are so grateful for the generosity of Mayo Clinic and our partnership that allows us to meet the needs of our community collectively,” says Pedro Cons, CEO of Adelante Healthcare. “This will have an incredible impact on helping us close gaps in providing healthcare where the needs of our patient population are the highest.”
A total of $400,000 will go to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix. The nonprofit works to feed, clothe, house and heal individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Services include medical and dental care, housing and shelter, clothing and food to thousands in need daily.
“It changes people’s lives, lets them feel valued and know that they’re loved, and they can get well, back into the community living the lives they were meant to live,” says Shannon Clancy, CEO of St. Vincent de Paul. “We couldn’t do what we do without partners like Mayo Clinic who come together and lead with their hearts and their compassion.”
The remaining $100,000 will go to five other non-profit organizations and Title 1 schools to assist in meeting important health and educational needs in the community.
