Today SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo donated $50,000 to the Baraboo Area Homeless Shelter. This gift supports the nonprofit’s mission to improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable residents by increasing access to housing and immediate shelter for those experiencing homelessness in the Baraboo area.
Reverend Dave Mowers, President of the Board of Directors for the Baraboo Area Homeless Shelter shared these kind words about the donation, “Baraboo Area Homeless Shelter salutes SSM Health St Clare Hospital – Baraboo for their generous gift to our work. Our organization exists to provide whole-person care for people struggling with homelessness, and the medical impact of homelessness is often grave. This contribution will help BAHS and SSM Health to jointly address the significant medical needs represented by our clients, and the staffing and programs this gift supports will help improve medical outcomes and healthcare access. We are so grateful for the progressive vision of SSM Health St. Clare Hospital – Baraboo in tangibly investing in improving the lives of our clients.”
He continued, “Each of the Shelter’s objectives has tangible impact on the health of our vulnerable client population and directly relate to SSM Health’s mission to reveal the healing presence of God through excellent health care. Experiencing homelessness, even for a short time, has a measurable negative impact upon the health of citizens, families, and communities.”
“We believe this gift can help offer additional housing and support services for our neighbors in need and will increase access to care and provide resources for success and potentially employment at the hospital,” said Nicole Faust, Director Cardiac Rehab and Community Health Interim Manager at SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo.
The donation will be used in three specific ways:
- $30,000 will go towards the purchase of the current Baraboo Area Homeless Shelter building
- $10,000 will fund supplemental affordable rental grants for current clients
- $10,000 will provide funding for staff salary and benefits in 2022.
“The importance of good and affordable housing cannot be overstated in how it impacts one’s overall physical and emotional health,” remarked Dr. Maureen Murphy, Vice President Medical Affairs. “From respiratory issues due to black mold, developmental concerns from lead paint or contaminated water to not being able to apply for a job without a stable address, all point to this goal being a key factor in the various social determinants of health.”
The funding from St. Clare will not only support the hospitals neighbors, the support provided by the Shelter can tie directly to their access to health care services.
“One of the most important health-related steps in this process is generally assisting the client in enrolling in BadgerCare, Medicare, Medicaid, or other health insurance program,” elaborates Reverend Mowers. “In addition, staff work to connect clients with other community services to address such issues as food insecurity, addiction concerns, medical concerns, mental health issues, chronic truancy, and legal issues.”
Baraboo Area Homeless Shelter is a community-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation operating Pathway Home, Sauk County’s only homeless shelter, made up of a 30-bed facility in a leased commercial facility located at 1200 Silver Circle serving men, women and children. Baraboo Area Homeless Shelter seeks to work with every client holistically to address the root causes of their experience of homelessness to help them transition to stable housing and, if applicable, employment.
#####About SSM Health St. Clare Hospital – Baraboo
SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system serving the comprehensive health needs of communities across the Midwest through one of the largest integrated delivery systems in the nation.
SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo is Sauk County’s largest hospital, serving the health care needs of residents in the greater Baraboo, Lake Delton and Wisconsin Dells area. The 100-bed hospital provides radiation oncology, total joint replacement, women’s health services, and other specialty care. In 2018, St. Clare Hospital was certified by the Joint Commission for diabetes education and heart failure education.
For more information, visit www.ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
