February 12, 2024
Helena, Mont., February 12, 2024 – The St. Peter's Health Foundation is delighted to announce the remarkable success of its recent Gala held on January 12 at the Helena Civic Center. The event brought together over 350 community leaders, healthcare professionals, and philanthropists to support community-based service programs at St. Peter's Health.
Featuring a silent auction, raffle, and live music, the event invited attendees to learn more about the collaborative work being done across Helena to address our community’s toughest health challenges, while also highlighting and celebrating more than 15 collaborative non-profit and agency partners. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, sponsors, and donors, the Gala broke its previous record and raised over $363,000 that will be directly invested into sustaining and expanding these critical services offered by St. Peter's and its community partners.
St. Peter's offers a range of community-based services designed to cater to an individual's specific needs and circumstances. The main highlights of the evening focused on support services for vulnerable populations, housing assistance, and crisis counseling. A special testimonial video was shared at the event that spoke to the success of the collaborative Housing is Healthcare initiative and how it addresses the root causes of health issues, aiming to improve the overall health and well-being of folks who are unstably housed in our community.
To date, 106 individuals have benefited from the comprehensive support provided by the program.
"It's working," said Kayla Morris, St. Peter's Supervisor of Community-Based Services. "We believe that healthcare extends beyond the walls of our hospital and clinics. The Housing is Healthcare initiative perfectly embodies our commitment to creating health solutions that are not only comprehensive and compassionate, but also accessible for all members of our community."
The initiative has proven to be not only a compassionate endeavor but also a financially prudent one. With an estimated healthcare savings of $158,400 in the first year alone, St. Peter's and its partner agencies have demonstrated the economic viability of investing in social determinants of health, creating a winning formula for patients, the organization and our community.
The success of the Housing is Healthcare program is further highlighted by a remarkable 52% reduction in overall emergency services utilization among program participants. By addressing housing stability and providing ongoing support, individuals rely less on emergency services, resulting in improved healthcare resource allocation and more efficient service delivery.
"We are thrilled to witness the tangible impact of the Housing is Healthcare initiative on the lives of our patients and in our community," stated St. Peter’s Senior Director of Population Health Amy Emmert. "These statistics underscore the importance of addressing social determinants of health and reaffirm our commitment to pioneering initiatives that create healthier communities."
The St. Peter's Health Foundation extends heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the Gala. Your support not only helps us make a positive impact on individual lives but also strengthens the fabric of our community as a whole.
For more information about the St. Peter's Health Foundation and its ongoing initiatives, please visit the Foundation webpages.