Affinia Healthcare is proud to announce it has received a grant for $41,000 from the Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis.

The grant will be used to improve access and utilization of healthcare services for more than 600 newly arrived immigrants through the employment of a Community Health Worker to help connect them to Affinia Healthcare’s medical, dental, behavioral health and other providers.

This is the second grant Affinia Healthcare has received from the Lutheran Foundation in the last 18 months for services for immigrant communities. In 2023, Affinia Healthcare received $63,000 from the Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis, also for services to immigrant communities.

“Affinia Healthcare is grateful for the support of the Lutheran Foundation as it allows us to continue our mission of reaching underserved populations in the St. Louis area,” said Dr. Kendra Holmes, President & CEO, Affinia Healthcare. “These funds will allow our new neighbors to access needed and high-quality healthcare services in a welcoming environment as they begin to establish their new lives in the St. Louis area.”

Affinia Healthcare serves as the primary care home for most of the newly arrived refugees and other immigrants who often lack health insurance access, caring for over 4,000 immigrants on an annual basis.

Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis is the grant-making ministry of 74 St. Louis area Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregations. The Foundation’s vision is to see the Church brought into the lives of hurting people and people included in the healing life of the Church.

Ameren Support for Urban Garden

The Ameren Corporation has awarded a 2024 Community Impact Grant for $10,000 to Affinia Healthcare to support development of an urban garden. Affinia Healthcare is partnering with the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri in Old North St. Louis to develop an urban garden in the 63106 ZIP Code which is considered a food desert. Affinia Healthcare received a $30,000 grant earlier this year from the National Association of Community Health Centers, which will also be used for the urban garden in Old North St. Louis.