MTMC Community Grant Funds Senior Counseling Program
C’Anne Johnson, M.S. licensed marriage and family therapist for Catholic Charities, Elvira Ramirez, ED Catholic Charities, and and Larry Philipp, Interim MTMC President and CEO
San Andreas, CA — A Mother Lode hospital has given a Calaveras-focused family wellness program a financial shot in the arm.
Dignity Health Mark Twain Medical Center (MTMC) officials share that Catholic
Charities of the Diocese of Stockton is receiving a community grant of over $30,600. The monies will allow increased access points and patient appointments within a service area that includes Calaveras and Tuolumne counties in tandem with local partners that include St. Patrick’s Parish in Angels Camp and the Murphys Senior Center. The hospital honored its grant recipients at a recent awards luncheon.
The program provides brief intervention counseling to improve quality of life for seniors age 55 and over who receive mental health services or participate in older adult support groups. It serves individuals referred by other agencies, local churches and those who self-refer in response to local outreach. Eligible clients receive eight to 16 counseling sessions where they may receive additional referrals as needed to community partners for other services.
“Our belief is that those who participate in this meaningful program will experience reduced stress and gain improved coping skills,” explains C’Anne Johnson, M.S., a licensed marriage and family therapist for Catholic Charities.
She adds that the older adult support group helps reduce the stigma associated with aging and with mental health symptoms. Additionally, the group format nurtures an environment of acceptance and feeling of mutual community support. Related workshops and presentations also promote suicide prevention education.
To date, MTMC has provided more than $410,000 to Calaveras organizations through its community grants program. Qualifying projects and programs must respond to the
health priorities identified in the hospital’s community health assessment or
community benefit plan and involve collaboration with a minimum of two other organizations.
