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m i n i s t r y g r a n t s

,000 BOn SeCOUrS Maryland FOUndatiOn ‘‘ we have realized that we are on the same boat,
in minisTry grAnTs AwArded

retUrning CitizenS prOgraM— $15,000
all of us fragile and disoriented,
The Returning Citizens Program collaborates with local prison systems to help prepare
But at the same time important and needed,
individuals about to be released from prison into the Bon Secours Community Works’
West Baltimore neighborhood for a new post-prison life. The program began in 2014
all of us called to row together,
$57 and addresses the more than 1,000 individuals being released annually into this region. each of us in need of comforting the other.”
The Returning Citizens Program seeks to address the well-being of the local community

by assisting individuals with major sociological, psychological, moral, financial and mental
challenges confronting them post prison. The funds will be used for the salary of the program
— pOpe FranCiS
manager and for incidental needs of clients – food, shelter, clothing and transportation.
This program is the only one of its kind in the area.

jaSMine rOad MerCy high SChOOl St. Mary’S health
hUMan traFFiCKing tUitiOn aSSiStanCe wagOn—health
SUppOrt—$15,000 grant—$15,000 Care in SOUthweSt
Jasmine Road represents a Mercy High School, a Catholic college Virginia—$12,000
one-of-a-kind outreach and preparatory high school for 427 girls The Health Wagon is a nonprofit
residential program for women of diverse backgrounds, is sponsored organization providing a range of
in the Greenville, South Carolina, by the Sisters of Mercy and located in health services to the medically
upstate region, who are recovering Baltimore City. Typically, its annual underserved in Southwest Virginia.
from human trafficking, drug gala is a critical source of tuition Of the 133 counties in Virginia,
addiction, homelessness and other assistance monies. Its 2020 gala was Dickenson County ranks 119 in
sociological and psychological held virtually, and while excellent, did health outcomes (a measure of how
challenges that have rendered them not achieve the same level of financial long people live and how healthy they
at great risk to themselves and others. success as past in-person events. To feel) and 127 in health factors (that
Since its 2018 inception, Jasmine meet the significant financial aid needs influence longevity and quality of life).
Road enjoys the support of many local of its students and their families during These rankings illustrate a significant
institutions and seeks to expand its this pandemic year, the school had to disparity compared to residents in
work by opening a second residential raise a total of $40,000. Of this goal, the rest of the state. Shortages of local
program in the Greenville area. The $30,000 was earmarked for financial health care providers are a major factor
funds will go toward the salary of a aid. The $15,000 grant was applied to accounting for health care disparities
residential care specialist. The carefully a one-to-one challenge grant that in addition to social determinants of
crafted healing infrastructure has served as powerful leverage to inspire health including low socio-economic
offered great help to women seeking Mercy High School alumnae and status. The funds will be used for
to rebuild their lives and become friends to support the financial aid salaries to staff two mobile units and
productive citizens. needs of the current student body. two stationary units.

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