Providence in Northern California provided $140 million in 2022 in community benefits

St. Joseph Hospital and Redwood Memorial Hospital contributed $29.5 million locally

Seniors with no place to live, children in desperate need of basic school supplies, vulnerable families with little access to fresh produce and unsheltered individuals seeking connection in a rural community.

Through its robust community benefits commitment, Providence and its community partners met the needs last year of these Northern Californians and tens of thousands more who needed health care, mental health services, food, pathways to housing and other services. 

“A hallmark of Providence is its commitment to reaching into our communities to address social determinants of health – homelessness, poverty, food insecurity, education and wellness care,” said Darian Harris, chief executive of Providence in Humboldt County. “We’re committed to working with community-focused partners who share our mission of outreach to the poor and vulnerable, as we continue to live the legacy begun more than 100 years ago by our founding Sisters here in our community.”

Last week, Providence, based in Renton, Wash., published its 2022 Annual Report to our Communities, detailing system-wide community benefits and spotlighting local outreach. As a not-for-profit health care organization, Providence community health investments include care for the poor and vulnerable, including free and discounted care for the uninsured and underinsured and covering unpaid costs of Medi-Cal and other government programs. 

To expand its reach and expertise, Providence frequently works in partnership with community organizations that share its mission. In Humboldt County alone, Providence St. Joseph Hospital and Providence Redwood Memorial Hospital provided a total of $29.5 million in direct community outreach, charity care, grants to safety net providers and other services. Here is the breakdown:

•    $4.6 million, community heath improvement and strategic partnerships
•    $3.5 million, health professions education and research
•    $3.5 million, free and discounted care for uninsured and underinsured  
•    $18 million, to cover unpaid costs of Medi-Cal and other means-tested government programs

Highlighted in the report are innovative programs across the Providence Northern California region’s three service areas – Sonoma County, Napa County and Humboldt County.

As an example, in Humboldt County, the Mother Bernard House in Eureka is slated to open in late 2023 and will feature 42 permanent supportive housing units and six recuperative care units for individuals experiencing homelessness. The facility will also include wrap-around supportive services.

“With the homeless rate in Humboldt County roughly three times the state average, the Mother Bernard House is really about Providence’s commitment to supporting the unmet needs of the community,” said Dana Codron, senior director of Community Health Investment. 

“Through this supportive housing initiative, as well as others throughout Northern California, we are passionate about investing in projects that provide whole-person care to our community.”

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