IU Health grant supports Beacon Inc.

BLOOMINGTON— Members of IU Health and Beacon, Inc. gathered in Bloomington in February to commemorate a $650,000 grant focused on helping this organization in its mission of helping those experiencing extreme poverty, particularly hunger and homelessness.

Photographed left to right: IU Health South Region Senior Project Manager Shawna Girgis; IU Health Foundation South Region Philanthropy Manager Emily Trinkle; IU Health South Region President Denzil Ross; Beacon, Inc. Executive Director Forrest Gilmore; Beacon, Inc. Development Director Amy Kendall; Beacon, Inc. Capital Campaign Co-Chair Traci Jovanovic; IU Health South Region Chief of Staff Brianna Solola; IU Health Community Health Grants Director Jennifer Andres.

The IU Health grant will be given to Beacon, Inc. over two years for building renovations, including permanent supportive housing, an emergency overnight shelter, and a resource center with co-located services from other community partners for individuals with substance use disorder and severe mental illness in Monroe County.

IU Health South Region President Denzil Ross

“The work that we do in the hospital is important, but it’s a small part of what our folks in the community need,” said IU Health South Region President Denzil Ross. “We’re happy that we could provide support for Beacon’s great work in the community and their growth.”

Beacon, Inc. Executive Director Forrest Gilmore

“We are so grateful to the IU Health Foundation for their trust and commitment to the new Beacon Center,” said Beacon, Inc. Executive Director Forrest Gilmore. “Together, we will create a place of hope and home that will help every person reach their highest potential.”

The grants come from the $200 million Community Impact Investment Fund (CIIF), which is administered by the Indiana University Health Foundation to address key social and environmental factors that impact people’s health outcomes. The foundation’s yearly grants come from earnings on the fund’s invested capital.