St. Vincent de Paul has been awarded a 2023 Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Community Reinvestment Grant to fund its Ben and Catherine Ivy Center for Family Wellness.

The $104,000 grant will increase access to free diabetes care and education services for the Valley’s underserved communities, according to a release.

On average, the center sees about 450 patients a year with approximately 47% referred for treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

“Every day, we work hard to reach families in need, especially those in our community who face a higher risk of diabetes, aiming to offer them the support and education to prevent or manage the disease,” Elvia Lish, director of SVdP’s Ivy Center for Family Wellness, said.

“We do so through culturally grounded programs that help patients make lifestyle changes through healthy eating, exercise and overall wellness. We’re so grateful to Mercy C.A.R.E.S. in supporting this life-changing and -saving work.”

Registered dietitian nutritionists, who are certified diabetes care and education specialists, present classes and deliver services at no cost to the participants, the release stated.

“This program and its empowerment of individuals and families in taking preventative action to improve their health outcomes is in direct alignment with Mercy C.A.R.E.S. supports of AHCCCS’ Whole Person Care Initiative, which addresses social risk factors to improve health outcomes,” Trisha Stuart, Mercy Care community relations, said.