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Health Matters: Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center | 3 I n 1902, Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart, a Canadian religious sister who led the Sisters of Providence to the Pacific Northwest, said, "My sisters, whatever concerns the poor is always our affair." Today Providence Cedars- Sinai Tarzana Medical Center still adheres to that philosophy. Shawn T. Kiley, chief mission integration officer for Cedar-Sinai Tarzana, explains how this enters into the decision about community partners: "We award grants to partners that provide much-needed services to those in need in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys. This grant is called the Mother Joseph Fund, named after this pioneering sister. This year, more than $400,000 is being released from the fund to supplement income to 16 community partners. These grants range from $5,000 to $50,000." Providence has a long tradition of reaching out to others, developing partnerships to serve the needs of the community, especially for those who are poor and vulnerable. "We evaluate services and programs provided by nonprofit organizations that are in alignment with our mission and values. More specifically, the fund criteria require that they provide a program and/ or service that aligns with one of the top three needs identified by our Community Health Needs Assessment. Currently, the criteria include: homelessness and housing instability, behavioral health, including mental health and substance use disorders, and food insecurity. Through these grants, the people of Providence are able to extend their circle of compassionate care to those who are living in our community and are in desperate need of basic human services as the pandemic continues. CURRENT GRANT RECIPIENTS Among this year 's grantees, Haven Hills, which received $25,000, is an organization in Canoga Park that is providing service to people in situations of abuse. "Especially during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people's situations in terms of domestic violence have gotten worse," says Kiley. "Haven Hills is responding to the increase in need for domestic violence services by providing safety, shelter and support to all victims of violence and working to break the cycle of abuse." Haven Hills offers a 24-hours-a-day crisis line, a crisis shelter, transitional housing, outreach services, workshops and children's programs, among other offerings. The West Valley YMCA received a $50,000 grant. Says Kiley, "This organization is providing mental health resources to children in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing mental and behavioral health issues as students return to school. Depression, anxiety and isolation are issues that many young students face as they begin to attend classes after a year of being shut down. The West Valley YMCA has designed programs specifically to connect with these issues. They are launching empowerment hubs, which will focus on learning, recovery and mental well-being. The Y is also offering a weekly 'Grab and Go' food distribution, aimed at providing the whole family with staple food items." Among other worthy organizations receiving grants this year: • Catholic Charities of Los Angeles/Guadalupe Community Services Center • MEND • Burbank Noon Lion Charities • Family Promise • Therapeutic Living Centers for the Blind "We know that no single organization can provide all the services needed in our community," says Kiley. "By developing partnerships and working together, we know we can do so much more to bring about our vision of 'Health for a Better World.' " Community Partners Providence Cedars- Sinai Tarzana offers grants and assistance to worthy organizations.

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