Kaiser Gives $4.5 Million To Help Buy Watsonville Community Hospital • Hope Services Supports Children with Disabilities in Ukraine

COMMUNITY NEWS

Kaiser Gives $4.5 Million To Help Buy Watsonville Community Hospital

On Aug. 23, eight days before the Aug. 31 deadline to buy Watsonville Community Hospital from the out-of-town owner, Kaiser Permanente announced an additional $4.5 million for the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District Project to make the purchase.

This brings Kaiser Permanente’s total commitment to $7.5 million, making the Oakland-based nonprofit health care provider the largest private donor in the campaign to raise $67 million.

“We recognize the importance Watsonville Community Hospital plays in providing the necessary medical care for residents of this community and are proud to support the acquisition efforts of the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District,” said Irene Chavez, senior vice president and area manager for the Kaiser Permanente Santa Cruz County service area. “We want to ensure all residents have convenient access to the care they need so they can lead healthy lives.”

Following years of changing leadership, the operators of Watsonville Community Hospital filed for bankruptcy in December 2021, threatening the loss of key services for Pajaro Valley residents including emergency medicine, women’s health services, pediatrics, medical-surgical care, orthopedic, cardiac care and more.

“We thank Kaiser Permanente for their generous donation,” said Mimi Hall, who chairs the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District board. “Our local health care system depends on establishing the hospital as a successful, sustainable operation for all members of our community.”

The Pajaro Valley Healthcare District has until Aug. 31 to close escrow, a deadline set by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in San Jose.

On Tuesday, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors was told enough money had been raised to purchase the hospital.

The fundraising effort is about $1.6 million shy of the $67 million goal, which included funds for operating capital in the first year, according to County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios.

The campaign attracted more than 450 donors. More than $7 million was donated through Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, $6 million was committed by the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley and the state committed $25 million.

The hospital has about 600 employees with a payor mix that depends on government funds. About 50% of patients are covered by state MediCal; 30% have Medicare. Both programs reimburse less for services compared to private insurance.

The health care district has a 5-member governing board with two seats up for election Nov. 8. Voters in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties will have a say.

Incumbents Marcus Pimentel and Jasmine Najera, who were appointed this year, are seeking four-year terms along with Joe Gallagher, a retired physician. n

Hope Services Supports Children with Disabilities in Ukraine

When Ukraine was attacked by Russia in February, Americans were stunned.

Chip Huggins decided to do something to help.

He’s the president and CEO of Hope Services, which for 70 years has supported people with disabilities and mental health needs.

“In any conflict, those with disabilities and mental health needs face a disproportionate risk of abandonment and violence,” he explained. “Watching the events unfold in Ukraine, we felt compelled to act.”

His idea was to set aside 25% of sales on Wednesdays and Thursdays from April 13 through July 1 at the three outlet stores in Watsonville, San Jose and Fremont to support nonprofits providing on-the-ground services in Ukraine.

The campaign got a lot of positive feedback, according to HopeTHRIFT Retail District Manager Shawn Bailey.

“It was a win-win: we got people into the stores and also helped spread the word about the work we do right here in our own community,” he said.

In all, more than $56,000 was raised, which will be divided between Save the Children and Humanity and Inclusion.

The two were selected based on their sterling credentials and their ability to deliver assistance immediately to those in need.

“It was important to partner with organizations whose missions match ours: serving children and individuals with intellectual disabilities and those with mental health needs,” says Cathy Bouchard, Hope Services’ specialty director, who was tasked with finding nonprofits that would effectively implement the funds. “We decided

Children with disabilities in Ukraine. to work with two organizations, one large and one small. We thought it would be important to utilize the power of a large organization as well as access the nimbleness and flexibility of a smaller group.”

Save the Children, founded in 1919 to aid refugees, is supporting the most urgent needs of children and their families in Ukraine today, providing food, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support, and cash.

Humanity and Inclusion is co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for its work to ban landmines. According to an HI official, Ukraine is fast becoming the world’s most polluted country when it comes to explosive devices. HI teams are on there, providing “mine risk education” to show civilians how to spot, avoid, and report weapons. The nonprofit also provides financial, mental, and psychosocial support services plus rehab for those directly impacted.

Hope Services’ mission is to see all persons with disabilities and mental health needs supported and protected. Its HopeTHRIFT stores are one venue providing career training for clients.

One of them is Krishna, a supervisor at HopeTHRIFT San Jose. He says he could not walk independently until he was 5 and a doctor’s diagnosis left his family with little hope for the future.

“Hope Services has given me the opportunity to be accepted in the community, so I say to those seeking a career despite your disability, Hope Services is the best place to do so,” he says.

The County of Santa Clara recently awarded $285,000 to Hope Services to support its work.

“Vans and laptops seem like such basic items, but for Hope Services these items will allow more clients to participate in classes, training, and employment opportunities, and have access to telehealth mental health services, out in the community, out in the mainstream,” explains Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian. “I’m glad our County could do our part.”

Fellow County Supervisor Cindy Chavez adds, “Hope Services is literally a world-class operation, whether lifting up and equipping people living in the Silicon Valley, or in Ukraine with everything they need to live productive lives. Hope Services certainly delivers on its promise to make the world a better place.”

County Supervisor Otto Lee adds, “I am honored to stand with my colleagues supporting Hope Services, and I am so deeply grateful for your service…You stepped up during the pandemic and I want to recognize the critical support you provided to Ukraine.” n •••

HopeThrift is at 1062 Green Valley Road in Watsonville.