Saint Francis Foundation Announces Additional $1.32 Million in Community Grants
Our community partners are on the front lines in removing barriers to care, assessing social determinants of health, and improving patient access and outcomes.
'Our community partners are on the front lines in removing barriers to care, assessing social determinants of health, and improving patient access and outcomes,' said Saint Francis Foundation President Kate Smith. 'With the current political climate resulting in reductions to vital healthcare services, our community partners have sprung into action to identify gaps in maintaining their essential programming. Through the generosity and insights of our dedicated donors, the Foundation is in a unique position to help offset the impact of these federal actions.'
The following grants will support direct patient care services and capital improvements to benefit San Francisco's most vulnerable residents. The grantees are:
Larkin Street Youth Services ($325,000 for homeless youth)
As the City's largest nonprofit provider for young people experiencing homelessness and other systemic health challenges, Larkin Street Youth Services addresses the social crises and chronic mental and physical health issues for more than 1,800 young people each year. This latest Foundation funding will support Larkin Street's comprehensive shelter program (operating more than 500 beds across 16+ sites), housing, and innovative workforce development and education programs for homeless youth.
San Francisco Community Health Center ($325,000 for street medicine and trauma-informed care)
With a mission to transform lives by advancing health, wellness, and equality, San Francisco Community Health Center attends to the health and wellness of diverse communities through comprehensive medical, dental, and mental health services. This grant will sustain and strengthen SFCHC's proven street medicine model, which improves quality and health outcomes for more than 200 unhoused Tenderloin residents by delivering low-barrier, trauma-informed care directly where they live.
Hyde Street Community Services ($250,000 for intense case management)
Hyde Street Community Services provides comprehensive psychiatric, medical, substance abuse and case management services to more than 600 San Francisco residents each year. This Foundation funding will support the HSCS intense case management program, which provides direct interventions to address housing, psych medications and chronic trauma for people living in the Tenderloin.
Maitri – Compassionate Care ($225,000 for services for low-income transgender patients)
From its beginnings in the Castro as a respite for HIV-AIDS patients, Maitri has grown to provide 24x7 wrap-around services to low-income transgender and gender diverse patients who are recovering from gender-affirmation procedures. A long-time funder, the Foundation is supporting the expansion of the Maitri Affirmation Center, the leading program in San Francisco providing low-income transgender patients with access to nursing care, shelter, food, social programs, and mental health services.
Lyon-Martin Community Health Services ($150,000 for expansion of LGBTQ+ services)
For nearly 50 years, Lyon-Martin Community Health Services has been a vital lifeline for compassionate and trauma-informed medical and mental healthcare services for the LGBTQ+ community. This most recent Foundation grant will support Lyon-Martin's expansion into its new 17,000-square-foot facility that will enable it to serve 1,000 more patients annually. In 2024, Lyon-Martin completed more than 12,000 appointments and facilitated 549 gender-affirming care referrals.
Additional Foundation grants to Curry Senior Center and Sequoia Living are funding integrated mental health services for underserved older adults.
'The Saint Francis Foundation has always supported and celebrated diversity, equity, and inclusion,' said Smith. 'Today, as cuts to federal funding threaten access to care for thousands of underserved residents, we are meeting these challenges with respect, empathy and relentless persistence. Advancing the work of these community organizations has never been more urgent or important.'
About Saint Francis Foundation
As it has for almost half a century, the Saint Francis Foundation is committed to filling the gap in the delivery of high-quality, equitable and affordable healthcare in San Francisco. Building on its legacy as one of the Bay Area's most respected independent charitable foundations, the Foundation continues to fund innovative patient care and staff training programs at UCSF Health Saint Francis Hospital and provides grants to a growing number of nonprofit community partners who ensure compassionate care for patients and families beyond the hospital environment. Since its founding in 1979, the Saint Francis Foundation has contributed more than $128 million to further community healthcare access and outcomes. For more information, please visit saintfrancisfoundation.org.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UPI
2 hours ago
- UPI
State Department to burn birth control worth $9.7M meant for poor nations
The U.S. government plans to destroy $9.7 million of contraceptives for poor nations, mainly in Africa, after the nation "explored all possible options to prevent the destruction." UPI file photo | License Photo July 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. government plans to destroy a stockpile of contraceptives worth $9.7 million for poor nations, mainly in Africa, after the State Department "explored all possible options to prevent the destruction." The contraceptives include nearly 2 million doses of injectables, 900,000 implantable devices and more than 2 million oral packets, according to internal auditing in April obtained by The Washington Post. Chelsea Polis, a researcher with Guttsmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights, told the newspaper that the contraceptives could provide more than 650,000 women with pregnancy protection for up to one year and 950,000 women for three years. U.S. laws and rules prohibit sending U.S. aid to organizations that provide abortion services, counsel about the procedure or advocate for the right overseas. "The State Department confirms that a preliminary decision was made to destroy certain abortifacient birth control commodities from terminated Biden-era USAID contracts," a spokesperson said in a statement. "Only a limited number of commodities have been approved for disposal. No HIV medications or condoms are being destroyed." The destruction will cost $167,000, the spokesperson said. Most contraceptives have less than 70% of shelf life before expiration, the spokesperson said. The Guardian contacted an aide who visited the warehouse in Belgium and found the earliest expiration date was 2027. Two-thirds didn't have any labels. Belgium, the United Nations and humanitarian groups said they unsuccessfully stopped the destruction plans for the contraceptives. The U.S. Agency for International Development, which Trump disbanded and merged into the State Department, was to have distributed them. They are part of a $9.5 billion program over 10 years to provide aid to more than 40 nations. The government said it based its decision on a policy that restricts funding for reproductive-related actions in the Mexico City Policy and the Kemp-Kasten amendment. President Ronald Reagan instituted the policy in 1985 and it has become a political issue. It has rescinded by Democratic presidents and reinstated by Republicans several times, including by President Donald Trump when he returned to office in January. A bipartisan group of U.S. legislators doesn't want the contraceptives to be destroyed, including Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Democrats Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Brian Schatz of Hawaii. "This is a waste of U.S. taxpayer dollars and an abdication of U.S. global leadership in preventing unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions and maternal deaths," said Shaheen, who in June sent a letter to the Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the matter. The U.N. Population Fund and the International Planned Parenthood Federation were interested in receiving the contraceptives. "UNFPA was in conversation with Chemonics about purchasing the contraceptives but didn't receive an answer from them," UNFPA spokesman Eddie Wright said. "It's the height of hypocrisy for a government to preach efficiency and cutting waste, only to turn around and recklessly destroy lifesaving supplies when the need has never been greater," Micah Grzywnowicz, regional director of the International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network, said in a statement MSI Reproductive Choices offered to pay for shipping and repackaging. MSI provides abortion services. "The complete dismantling of the world's largest donor for international family planning has been a catastrophe for the global supply chain of contraceptives," said Sarah Shaw, associate director of advocacy and for the organization. Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced an increase in teen births, according to a study at Columbia University in 2024. The number of births climbed from 4.5 million births in 2000 to 6.1 million in 2021as they decreased in the rest of the world. In Africa, 30% of all woman use birth control but more than half would use it if available, according to DebboAfrica, a healthcare company for African women. Worldwide, around half of women of reproductive age of 15-19 use some form of contraception, according to Focus2030. Foreign aid cuts could lead to more than 14 million additional deaths by 2023, including two-thirds children, according to a study published in Lancet earlier this month. Congress earlier this month passed legislation to remove $8 billion in foreign assistance. The Atlantic reported earlier this month that 551 tons of emergency food were expiring and will be incinerated rather than being fed to almost 1.5 million children in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Almost 800,000 Mpox vaccines to be sent to Africa also are not usable because they are past their expiration date, Politico reported earlier this month.
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
3 critical signs of cardiac arrest in the wake of Hulk Hogan's death
Hulk Hogan has wrestled his last match — taken down not by a rival in the ring, but by one of America's top killers: cardiac arrest. News broke Thursday morning that the wrestling icon, born Terry Gene Bollea, had died after weeks of declining health. 'He was suffering from shortness of breath, got tired easily, had lost a lot of weight and was on oxygen as his life ebbed away at his mansion in Clearwater, Florida,' an insider alleged to the Daily Mail. 6 Getty Images While Hogan, 71, may have built his legacy surviving body slams and steel cages, cardiac arrest proved to be one opponent even the handlebar-mustachioed marvel couldn't overpower. Globally, the condition claims more lives each year than colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, pneumonia, car crashes, the flu, HIV and house fires combined, according to the American Heart Association. In the US alone, cardiac arrest kills more than 436,000 Americans every year — making it one of the nation's deadliest health threats. Here's everything you need to know about this heart-stopping emergency and how to act before it's too late. What is cardiac arrest? It's a deadly medical emergency where the heart suddenly stops beating — or beats so erratically that it can't pump blood at all, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 6 Anciens – When that happens, oxygen stops flowing to the brain and vital organs. Within minutes, the body starts shutting down — and without immediate help, the chances of death are high. Despite common confusion, cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. A heart attack is a circulation problem caused by a blocked artery that cuts off blood flow to the heart muscle. Cardiac arrest, by contrast, is an electrical malfunction. The heart's rhythm goes haywire, and the muscle flatlines. Who's at risk for cardiac arrest? The most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest is an irregular heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation, which keeps the heart from pumping blood effectively, according to the Mayo Clinic. Certain heart conditions — like coronary artery disease, heart valve problems, and a history of heart attacks — can increase the risk of this dangerous rhythm. But cardiac arrest can also strike people with no known heart issues. Other factors that may increase your chances include: Smoking or heavy alcohol/drug use High blood pressure or cholesterol Low potassium or magnesium levels Obesity Diabetes Sleep apnea Chronic kidney disease A sedentary lifestyle A family history of heart disease or cardiac arrest While the risk of cardiac arrest increases with age, it can strike at any time — even in children. In fact, sudden cardiac arrests happen in about 1 in every 70 schools each year, often impacting young athletes. 6 Hulk Hogan had faced a slew of health issues and suffered from a 'weak heart' in the lead-up to his death. George Napolitano / Men generally face higher odds of cardiac arrest, but women's risk rises after menopause. Warning signs to watch for 'The typical signs of a cardiac arrest include abrupt loss of consciousness with eyes rolled back, seizure-like activity due to lack of oxygen flow to the brain, and irregular, labored or no breathing,' Dr. Irfan Asif, professor and chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine University of Alabama at Birmingham, said in an interview. He added that someone suffering cardiac arrest may have a very weak pulse — or no pulse at all. 6 A sudden collapse is usually the first noticeable sign of sudden cardiac arrest. Rainer Fuhrmann – Other warning signs that can come before cardiac arrest include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, weakness and heart palpitations like a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart. But here's the kicker: Sometimes there are no warnings at all. That's why knowing how to respond can mean the difference between life and death. What should you do if someone goes into cardiac arrest? 'If you are experiencing a cardiac arrest, try to get to a place where you are not alone, or signal to someone you are in distress before you are incapacitated,' Dr. John Bozinovski, a cardiac surgeon at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told HuffPost. If you see someone collapse and suspect cardiac arrest, act fast. First, check if they're responsive by loudly asking, 'Are you okay?' and gently shaking their shoulders. Look for a pulse and check if they're breathing normally, according to the University of California, Davis. 6 AED's are commonly found in public places like airports, schools, shopping malls, office buildings and sporting venues. brostock – If others are nearby, assign someone to call 911 and another to find an automated external defibrillator (AED), which can shock the heart back to rhythm. If you're alone, call 911 yourself and put the phone on speaker. For children, start CPR right away. For adults, get the AED quickly, as it's usually a heart issue. To perform CPR, lay the person on their back on a firm surface, tilt their head back to open the airway, and check for breathing. If they're not breathing, begin chest compressions: place your hands, one on top of the other, in the center of the chest, pressing hard (about 2 inches deep for adults) at 100–120 compressions per minute. 6 CPR can help maintain blood flow and oxygenation until emergency responders arrive. THANAGON – Use the AED as soon as it arrives and follow its prompts. Alternate CPR and AED use until help arrives or the person wakes up. Every minute without intervention after a cardiac arrest lowers survival chances by 10%. Yet fewer than half receive timely help, according to the American Red Cross. While CPR or AED use can double or triple survival odds, studies show bystanders use an AED only 7% of the time and perform CPR 42% of the time when witnessing a public cardiac arrest. Experts are urging everyone to learn CPR to boost those numbers. 'Everyone should take an in-person CPR course at least once, with a refresher every two to three years,' Dr. Eric Goralnick, associate professor of emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School, advised. 'You could save the life of a family member, friend, or even a stranger,' he added, noting that many CPR classes also cover first aid and AED use.
NBC News
2 days ago
- NBC News
Kennedy considering firing members of preventive services task force
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is considering removing all 16 members of a highly influential advisory committee that offers guidance about preventive health services, such as cancer screenings, HIV prevention medications or tests for osteoporosis, according to two people familiar with the plan. The United States Preventive Services Task Force is a group of independent doctors, nurses and public health experts who volunteer to regularly review volumes of the latest scientific research about diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease and mental health, as well as mammograms for breast cancer. Health and Human Services' spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in an emailed statement Friday that 'no final decision has been made on how the USPSTF can better support HHS' mandate to Make America Healthy Again.' Earlier this month, Kennedy caused alarm among task force members after he abruptly postponed a scheduled meeting that was set to focus on heart disease and prevention. At the time, task force members weren't given a reason for the cancellation or whether the meeting would be rescheduled. Kennedy's plans were first reported Friday by The Wall Street Journal. The task force plays an important role in protecting access to screenings and tests because the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare, mandates that most private insurers provide the services that the group recommends to patients at no cost. The task force makes its recommendations using a grading scale. Under federal law, services that get an A or B grade but must be covered by insurance plans at no cost for patients. The advisory group has come under fire from conservative groups for some past decisions, including its 'A' recommendation to cover the HIV prevention pill, known as PrEP. The advisory group has come under fire from conservative groups for some past decisions, including its 'A' recommendation to cover the HIV prevention pill, known as PrEP. That recommendation led to a lawsuit from several Christian employers that ended up before the Supreme Court, where the justices decided 6-3 to uphold the Affordable Care Act provision that requires insurers to cover task force-recommended preventive services for free. However, the court agreed with the Trump administration that Kennedy has final say over decisions made by members of the task force because HHS has oversight over the group. As health secretary, he also has the authority to remove and replace members. Kennedy has made children's chronic disease a keystone of his position as the country's top health official. It's unclear which areas of health care Kennedy might target by shaking up the panel. In June, Kennedy fired all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — which makes recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about vaccines, including for children — and replaced them with eight new members. The new panel includes well-known vaccine critics.
