Funds Reach Seven Local Non-Profits

Dignity Health of the Inland Empire, which includes Community Hospital of San Bernardino and St. Bernardine Medical Center, awarded more than $250,000 to seven local non-profit organizations. On Feb. 4, San Bernardino Councilman John Valdivia, and representatives from the offices of Congressman Pete Aguilar, Senator Mike Morrell, Assemblyman Marc Steinorth, San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales joined Dignity Health in recognizing the seven non-profit organizations for their efforts to improve the health and quality of life in the Inland Empire. The community grant luncheon was held at the Rezek Center at the St. Bernardine Hospital facility. The organization to receive grants included: • Central City Lutheran Mission ($27,700) • Inland Caregivers Resource Center ($24,750) • Legal Aid of San Bernardino ($32,519) • Lestonnac Free Clinic ($75,000) • Mary's Mercy Center ($25,000) • Salvation Army Riverside and San Bernardino County ($33,750) • San Bernardino Sexual Assault Services ($33,750) San Valdez, Director of the Path-To-Prosperity program, a Salvation Army Corps men's program in San Bernardino, said that the funds would be used to cover the uninsured dental and health care cost of the men in the program. Ann Matu, Director of the Transitional Living Center at the Salvation Army Corps shelter, said that the Dignity Health grants would also be used to fund uninsured dental and medical needs at the shelter. As a prior recipient of the Dignity Health grant, The Salvation Army Corps of San Bernardino has collaborated with the Dental Office of Dr. Osvaldo (Oz) Garcia, DDS to extend the grant funds by providing their services at a reduced and affordable rate. "The partnership of Dignity Health and the non-profit organizations awarded the grants reflect Dignity Health's strong commitment to serve the community, not only as a health care provider, but as a partner to those who work to better the lives of others," said Linda McDonald, Dignity Health Inland Empire, Vice President, Mission Services. Dignity Heath, the parent company to 39 hospitals, was able to fund more than $4,000,000 in grant awards to non-profit organizations throughout California, Arizona, and Nevada. Dignity operates two local hospitals which include Community Hospital of San Bernardino, started in 1910, and St. Bernardine Hospital, founded in 1931.