January 15, 2013 – Nine nonprofit agencies were awarded a combined $118,000 in grants on January 10 from St. Mary Medical Center. According to a hospital statement, “The grants are part of the Dignity Health Community Grants Program which began in 1990 as a means for Dignity Health hospitals to partner with their community service agencies to meet the needs of the underserved, especially women, children and the homeless.” This year’s grant and their representatives pictured left to right, are, standing: Don Wrigley, Beacon House Association; Susan Beeney, New Hope Grief Support; Naomi Rainey, Long Beach Branch NAACP; Vicki Freda, Alliance for Housing and Healing; and Katherine Tarlecky, YMCA of Greater Long Beach. Seated, left to right, are: Cindy Skovgard, Pathways Volunteer Hospice; Debra Cherry, Alzheimer’s Association California Southland Chapter; Porter Gilberg, The Center; and Ruth Foelber, Lutheran School. (St. Mary Medical Center photograph)