IU Health grant supports Bloomington's Healing Hands Outreach Center in their efforts to assist Bloomington expectant and postpartum mothers

Members of IU Health and Healing Hands Outreach Center gathered in Bloomington on Monday, March 30, to commemorate a $543,422 grant focused on helping this organization in their goal to support low-income, high-risk expectant and postpartum mothers.

The grant from IU Health will be given to Healing Hands Outreach Center over three years to expand maternal health services for low-income families, including women who are currently or formerly incarcerated, by training community doulas, facilitating postpartum support groups and addressing additional social determinants of health.

“You can't always tell when someone needs help, and I’m really excited we can support Healing Hands Outreach Center’s great work—particularly their efforts to grow sustainable resources and services to assist low-income, high-risk expectant and postpartum mothers,” said IU Health South Region President Denzil Ross. “Indiana ranks among the highest of states in terms of infant and maternal mortality, and it will take many different groups like IU Health and Healing Hands Outreach Center working together across the state to turn the tide.”

“Our team, along with our incredible volunteers, served more than 40,000 individuals last year within our current space,” said Healing Hands Outreach Director Heidi Brown. “Our heart is to serve our city, and we are excited to expand our capacity to meet a growing need we’ve seen among young mothers in our community.”

City Church for All Nations of Bloomington, Indiana, has partnered with IU Health Foundation to donate an additional investment to Healing Hands Outreach Center.

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

Details and application materials are available here for community partners who wish to apply for the 2026 CIIF grant cycle. To maximize impact, the 2026 and 2027 grant cycles will prioritize sustained, multi-year funding for programs focused on infant and maternal health.

Pictured above (l-r): Shawna Girgis, IU Health Community Benefit Senior Project Manager; Cindy Dodge, Healing Hands Outreach Center Volunteer Coordinator; Daniel Martinez, Healing Hands Outreach Center Project Manager; Kristin Castro, City Church for All Nations East Associate Campus Pastor and Executive Ministries Director; Brian Lawyer; Heidi Brown, Healing Hands Outreach Director; Denzil Ross, IU Health South Region President; Amy Meek, RN, IU Health Director Community Health – Clinical Operations; Brianna Solola, IU Health South Region Chief of Staff; Emily Trinkle, IU Health Foundation South Region Regional Lead Development Officer; David Norris, City Church for All Nations Senior Pastor