For Immediate Release
Teenage Mothers, Kids at Suicide Risk and Diabetics Receive Grant Money from Sisters of Mercy
Oklahoma City—It’s an age-old practice—almost 200
years in the making—that when mothers, children or the underserved are
in need, the Sisters of Mercy step up. Thanks to $48,500 in grant money
from the Sisters of Mercy, pregnant mothers at Oklahoma City’s Emerson
High School, as well as Oklahoma teenagers at suicide risk and uninsured
diabetics will receive help.
Every year the Sisters of Mercy, based in St. Louis,
Missouri, awards some $500,000 to health and service programs that meet
unique community needs. The Caritas grant—named after the Latin word
“caritas”—means charity. Of 16 programs chosen this year, three were in
Oklahoma. Breaking it down: $10,000 will go to parenting education for
young, low-income mothers; $6,000 to train 1,000 medical professionals,
counselors and teachers in Oklahoma City and Ardmore to recognize
suicide behaviors in children; $32,500 to provide diabetes education and
management to pre-diabetics and diabetics who are treated in free
clinics.
“This is a generous gift from the Sisters of Mercy
that is earmarked to serve those who are economically poor and to work
for systemic change on their behalf,” said Di Smalley, president and CEO
of Mercy Health System of Oklahoma. “We have a 200-year heritage of
caring for impoverished women, children and the sick that goes back to
Dublin, Ireland. As far as Oklahoma is concerned, the Sisters have been
devoted since 1884 when five Sisters of Mercy made a long trek in a
covered wagon into Indian Territory to organize schools and care for
children and women wherever there was need.”
The tradition continues. Young high school mothers
will receive prenatal education, labor and birth support, as well as
assistance in the critical period after birth. Studies have shown that
by providing support and education, parenting behaviors and community
health improve. As a part of the suicide prevention and intervention
grant, Mercy will train healthcare workers to recognize suicide behavior
in at-risk youth. For the diabetes designated grant, some 200 Oklahomans
will receive an individual assessment (including a glucose test) and
education on the disease: how to monitor blood glucose, proper
nutrition, foot care, grocery shopping tips and exercise. For
individuals with limited resources, proper shoes, socks, glucose
monitors and testing strips will be provided to decrease the risk of
diabetes complications.
“The Sisters of Mercy have once again given us the
opportunity to demonstrate the ongoing commitment to the communities we
serve,” said Smalley. “We want to improve the access to health care and
we want to reach out to the economically disadvantaged, continuing a
long heritage of giving.”
Press release dated: July 3, 2008
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