There are 5,200 births annually in Allen County. Over 40% of the mothers are single, and 42% of moms used Medicaid to fund their healthcare. Furthermore, black infants and moms have twice the mortality rate of whites. Fort Wayne’s southeast neighborhoods in 46806 have consistently ranked in the top five highest in Indiana for infants dying before age one. Research shows that the environment, zip code, has a bigger impact on infant’s health than their genetic code. Infants born in 46806 have a 15-year shorter life expectancy than those born in more affluent zip codes.
This information compels the St. Joe Foundation to further its longstanding commitment to support programming aimed at helping pregnant women, new fathers, and infants (especially Black individuals and those living in 46806) to have access to free or low-cost quality care and resources, enabling them to be supported through a healthy pregnancy, birth, and first year of life inspiring hope for their future.
Some of the Strategies we are supporting include:
- Prenatal & Infant Care Network
- Prenatal & Infant Care Resource Directory
- Sleep Safely Campaign
- Footprints Fort Wayne
In addition, area organizations may apply for a grant from the Foundation to assist pregnant women, new fathers, and infants (especially Black individuals and those living in 46806). Learn more about the Foundation’s work in this area through our Community Reports and Grantee Stories.
