Texarkana, Texas – On Monday, CHRISTUS Health distributed over $300,000 in grant money to five local nonprofit organizations through its Community Impact Fund. The recipients—Community Healthcore, Northeast Texas CASA Inc., Harvest Regional Food Bank, Randy Sams Outreach Shelter, and St. Edward Catholic Church—will use the funds to expand food, shelter, case‑management, transportation and mental‑health services for the city’s most vulnerable residents.
Grant selection focused on community health needs
David Karchut, CHRISTUS vice president of mission integration, explained that the grant process evaluated community health needs, social determinants of health and the greatest gaps in local services. “This is a way for us to collaborate,” Karchut said. “Our recipients have been working very hard at providing both services and resources for the most vulnerable members of our community.”
How the money will be used
Jennifer Lacefield, executive director of Randy Sams Outreach Shelter, described the impact of the grant: “This grant money from CHRISTUS is such an invaluable asset to us, because it enables us to provide food, shelter services, case‑management services, identification documents, much‑needed transportation and so much more.”
Brenda Clark, director of nursing at Community Healthcore, highlighted a critical health‑care benefit. “Without this grant, we would not be able to have a registered nurse sitting in the CHRISTUS ER,” Clark said. “It allows us to have someone in the ER who assesses, who screens, who makes recommendations and who finds a destination for individuals who are suffering from mental illness.”
Faith‑based partners join the effort
St. Edward Catholic Church, one of the grant recipients, will direct part of the funding toward outreach programs that align with its mission of serving families and individuals in need. The partnership underscores the shared commitment of faith‑based and health‑care institutions to strengthen the social fabric of Texarkana.
Celebrating community impact
CHRISTUS Health also held a “Blessings of the Hand” ceremony to honor the grantees, with program manager Jessica Guerra noting, “To give back to local communities means everything. It is part of our mission, part of what we’re called to do.” The ceremony coincided with a tribute to local first responders ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
These grants represent a tangible investment in the health and well‑being of Texarkana families, reinforcing the city’s network of nonprofits that address food insecurity, homelessness, mental‑health crises and other pressing challenges. By supporting both secular and faith‑based organizations, CHRISTUS Health demonstrates a holistic approach to community health that aligns with the values of families, faith and individual liberty.
Local leaders and residents alike praised the initiative, noting that such collaborations are essential for building resilient neighborhoods and ensuring that vulnerable citizens receive the care and assistance they deserve.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
