CINCINNATI, OH – bi3, Bethesda Inc.’s grantmaking initiative, has awarded $50,000 to Santa Maria Community Services, Inc. for capacity building to relieve the impact of COVID-19 on both the agency’s clients and staff. Funds will be used for purchasing devices and assistance with internet access for Santa Maria clients as well as for training clients and staff on use of communication platforms.
“Santa Maria quickly responded to the changing needs brought on by COVID-19, and we are addressing the critical survival needs of families in the community,” said H.A. Musser, Jr., President and CEO of Santa Maria Community Services, Inc. “Families have been dealing with loss of employment, food shortages, daily challenges of isolation and the stress of the pandemic, threats of impending eviction and utility shutoffs, and significant challenges with decisions about childcare for young children. This grant will provide much needed relief to families in Price Hill who have been struggling during the pandemic.”
bi3 sought proposals addressing health or social needs that impact health outcomes, particularly for people experiencing health disparities. The $50,000 grant award will help build Santa Maria’s capacity, strengthen operations and be better able to meet future needs.
“bi3 is dedicated to addressing health disparities,” said Jill Miller, President of Bethesda Inc. “During this unprecedented time, we feel it is essential to help community organizations like Santa Maria Community Services with resources they need to ensure all citizens have access to services.”
This grant is part of a larger bi3 effort to invest in local nonprofits as they continue to adapt to provide services virtually amid the pandemic. Since 2010, bi3 has awarded nearly $50 million in grants to TriHealth and community-based organizations to fund innovative ideas to transform health and healthcare.
For a complete list of grant awards, visit bi3.org.
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About Santa Maria Community Services, Inc.
Santa Maria Community Services, Inc. is an independent, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization originally founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1897 and place-based in Cincinnati Ohio’s Price Hill community. Santa Maria provides more than 3,000 individuals with educational tools and resources to build strong families, promote healthy residents, and foster neighborhood revitalization. Our Price Hill Family Centers provide a welcoming environment and the coaching, support, and flexibility to assist families to achieve their identified goals toward stabilization and self-sufficiency. Our mission is to be a catalyst and advocate for Greater Price Hill families to attain their educational, financial, and health goals. Our vision is for Greater Price Hill to be a vibrant, thriving, and self-sustaining community.
About bi3
bi3 is Bethesda Inc.’s grants initiative to transform health for all people in Greater Cincinnati. bi3 invests in innovative ideas with the ability to spark and scale new approaches to improving community health and healthcare. bi3 seeks to achieve health equity and reduce health disparities to ensure every person has equal opportunity to achieve their highest level of health and well-being. bi3’s creator Bethesda Inc. is a co-sponsor of TriHealth, a leading integrated healthcare delivery system in Greater Cincinnati.