The Poor Handmaids arrived in Allen County from Germany in 1868, established St. Joseph Hospital in 1869, and today maintain their commitment to providing compassionate care to all through the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation.
The Foundation works with more than 100 local community partners to improve the health and wellness of the most vulnerable populations facing issues such as hunger, temporary homelessness, unexpected pregnancies, attaining legal work status, and access to affordable healthcare including mental health services. Since 1998, the foundation has provided more than $28 million through more than 1,900 grants to strengthen 287 local organizations. It invests in programming that improves the health and well-being of vulnerable residents in four impact areas: refugees and immigrants, food insecurity and nutrition, access to health and wellness services and prenatal and infant care. By promoting the health and safety of moms, babies, and families, Healthier Moms & Babies and A Mother’s Hope are among two of the Foundation’s partners reducing infant mortality and improving the outcome of pregnancies.
In 2024, the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation introduced the Refugee Health Collaborative initiative with community partners including: IU Health, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Amani Family Services, International House, and Double Up Indiana Program. Burmese refugees arrive in the United States speaking little to no English, which makes receiving basic services such as healthcare, counseling, and nutrition, difficult.
Meg Distler, Executive Director of the St. Joseph Community Health foundation said, “We are honored to facilitate this coalition, working with IU Health and others to ensure medical care and wraparound services for Burmese nationals. Like our sponsor, the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, we care deeply for refugees who walk a journey like that of Jesus Christ, who was also a refugee.”