$80K in expenses

The Central Valley Health Foundation provided financial support for the Central Valley Network, which includes Adventist Health Hanford, Adventist Health Selma, Adventist Health Reedley, Adventist Health Tulare and their related clinics. In addition, support is being provided for the hospice operated by Western Health Resources (WHR) and for other humanitarian purposes.Many employees at Adventist Health in the Central Valley support the Central Valley Health Foundations Employee Emergency Fund. The Employee Emergency Fund was created to support employees during an unexpected financial hardship. Employees are asked to fill out an application which is reviewed by Human Resources and an established committee. In 2023, $26,999 was disbursed to 20 employees. Adventist Health knows that our greatest strength is our employees, and the Employee Emergency Fund is one of the many ways Adventist Health invests in the wellbeing of our people. Adventist Health in the Central Valley has three birth centers, Hanford, Tulare, and Reedley. With thousands of deliveries happening each year, not every delivery outcome is a positive one. The Healing Hearts Fund was established by employees who wanted to do something to support the mothers who experience the loss of a baby at our hospitals. The Healing Hearts fund gives mothers the opportunity to have their childs funeral expenses covered up to $1,000. The Birth Centers also provide other forms of support which helps our patients and employees during a tragic time. In 2023, financial support of $10,396 was provided to 10 receipients. Separately, let us share an experience that illustrates how we care for our community:My name is Araceli Cervantes and I am a commnity health worker in the Central Valley. On August 5th, Practice Administrator Lisa Chavarin sent me a message via Teams, sharing that Dr. Christine Millan had a patient in need of financial assistance. I didnt know much at first, but as I read through the few details I was given, something tugged at my heart. This patients story would soon become deeply meaningful to me.He had just been diagnosed with colon cancer. But rather than focus on the frightening news about his health, his first words revealed a different kind of pain he worried, How will I pay my rent?Without hesitation, I stopped what I was doing and began searching for resources throughout the community. I made calls, filled out referrals, and connected him with programs offering food boxes, transportation to medical appointments, and, most urgently, rental assistance.During my search, Social Worker Maria shared with me the contact information of Lauren Day from The Foundation and encouraged me to reach out. With hope in my heart, I emailed Lauren, explaining the patients situation and asking if there were any available funds to help cover his rent.Lauren responded almost immediately, confirming that The Foundation had funds available to assist. All she needed was a receipt showing the rent amount. I called the patient right away to share the wonderful news. His voice, filled with gratitude and emotion, made it clear that this was more than just financial help it was a lifeline. For the first time since his diagnosis, he could focus on his health and on supporting his wife, who had just received difficult news of her own: a tumor growing in her stomach.The patient quickly brought in his rent bill, and I sent it to Lauren. By the very next day, she emailed me to say the rent check was ready. I called the patient again, this time with tears in my eyes, to tell him his rent had been paid. His response was filled with heartfelt thanks he said it was as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.Later that day, when I met his wife at the Complex Care Clinic, her joy was radiant. She repeatedly thanked me and The Foundation, saying what a blessing it was to have people who cared so deeply during such a hard time. Her words stayed with me: You are a blessing, and The Foundation is a blessing.That day, it wasnt just the patient and his family who were blessed I was too. Being able to help, to live out our mission in such a tangible way, reminded me why I chose this work and why Im so proud to be part of Adventist Health.With a mission to live Gods love by inspiring health, wholeness, and hope,I can truly say that mission was fulfilled.Websites for our community benefit information: https://www.adventisthealth.org/about-us/community-benefit/