Monies raised through generous contributions by Provena Health corporate office employees has been recently donated to ministries throughout the Provena Health system. The money will be specifically allocated toward innovative community benefit programs that support local needs.

In the spring of 2008, the Provena Health corporate office launched the “We Are Provena” employee giving program, a way for members of the corporate office team to directly impact the work of its local ministries. Employees were asked to contribute to a special fund, the Transforming Communities Fund, which would support the work of community benefit programs across the system.

By the close of the campaign, more than 200 employees generously gave over $30,000, far exceeding expectations, especially for the first year of a giving program. Then, each Provena ministry was encouraged to request funding for one of their community benefit programs. Each applicant program was required to meet set criteria, which included being consistent with Provena Health’s mission, vision and values; being in line with the Public Health Institute’s five Advancing the State of the Art of Community Benefit core principles, namely that the program addresses an identified disproportionate unmet health need in the community; and that the program reflects local community priorities and serves as a tool for building healthier communities.

The Transforming Communities Advisory Council, a group of corporate office employees selected to oversee the application process and allocate awards, then met to discuss the merits of the five worthy programs submitted from the ministries for funding consideration. And the well-deserving recipients are…

Fit 'N Healthy Challenge
Provena St. Mary's Hospital – Kankakee, IL
The Fit 'N Healthy Challenge is a 10-week health and wellness initiative aimed at improving quality of life by involving the whole person - body, mind and spirit. It's an effort to help at-risk groups change and improve their health through education, exercise, inspiration and accountability. Each participant is required to meet for regular exercise sessions, log their daily steps, attend educational offerings, and take advantage of a variety of health screenings. They also receive daily scripture inspiration.

Center for Diabetic Wellness
Provena Mercy Medical Center – Aurora, IL
The Center for Diabetic Wellness at Provena Mercy Medical Center provides much needed education and care, helping numerous area diabetics learn how to control their condition and responding to an identified need in the community. Recognized as a best practice and earning and Education Recognition Certificate by the American Diabetes Association during 2006, the Center serves those who might otherwise have gaps in their care.

Camp Fitness
Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center – Joliet, IL
When studies revealed that obesity was fast becoming one of the biggest health threats for area children, Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center created the Joliet Partners for Healthy Families, a coalition that includes Joliet School District 86, the Joliet Park District, Harvey Brooks Foundation, University of St. Francis and the University of Illinois Extension. Camp Fitness, one of the programs spearheaded by this partnership, is a twice-a-week after-school physical education and nutrition education program for third and fourth graders from eight District 86 schools, more than half of whose student population is at poverty level.

Fox Valley Community Benefit Collaborative
Provena Mercy Medical Center – Aurora, IL, Provena Saint Joseph Hospital – Elgin, IL, Provena McAuley Manor – Aurora, IL, Provena Fox Knoll – Aurora, IL, Provena Home Care, Provena Pine View Care Center – St. Charles, IL and Provena Geneva Care Center – Geneva, IL
When Kane County announced its goal of achieving its 2030 Vision to be the healthiest county in Illinois by reducing the level of chronic disease, several Provena ministries in that area knew they could make an impact. They teamed together and determined that addressing chronic disease from the perspective of nutrition would be an appropriate and important way to leverage the assets of the Provena Health system. Their focus on healthy food is in response to data suggesting that rates of obesity are disproportionately higher among the economically disadvantaged. Members of the collaborative have partnered with Bountiful Blessings Ministries, which operates a self-select food pantry in Aurora, to create an innovative program that organizes "healthy food drives" and educates area pantry employees, volunteers and donors about the importance of providing healthier food selections.

I Sing the Body Electric
Provena United Samaritans Medical Center – Danville, IL
I Sing the Body Electric is a powerful community outreach program of the Provena United Samaritans Medical Center Foundation. The program challenges high school students in Vermilion County to use creative arts to develop effective messages about healthy lifestyle choices for their peers, younger students and community members. The program works to close the gap between the lack of prevention programs and the prevalence of adolescent health risk behaviors.

“I'm so honored and proud to have played a role in this process,” says Todd Klock, System Director, Service Line Planning and member of the Transforming Communities Advisory Council. “Seeing the heartfelt generosity of the corporate office family and knowing that our contributions will be used to support local community benefit programs that provide such critical services to in those in need has been yet another shining example of our Mission in action.”

Learn more about how Provena Health ministries are transforming communities...one life at a time.