St. Clare Center becomes community health facility

A Franciscan Health physicians’ office in Crown Point is now a facility dedicated to prenatal assistance and food insecurity programs.

The building previously housed the Prenatal Assistance Program, the Diaper Pantry and the Fresh Start Market. It also housed the Franciscan Physician Network offices of Dr. Emmett Robinson, Dr. Rajarajeswari Majety and Kathleen Nix, nurse practitioner.

Majety is transitioning to a leadership role with Franciscan's Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. Robinson and Nix are relocating their practices to the Crown Point Health Center.

The move allows for the expansion of the Prenatal Assistance Program, Diaper Pantry and Fresh Start Market spaces in the building. It also makes room for food insecurity program staff, fetal infant mortality review staff and the community benefit staff.

“Living out our mission at Franciscan Health means supporting the health and wellbeing of our community, from expectant mothers in our prenatal assistance program to families facing food and diaper shortages,” Caitlin Leahy said in a press release . Leahy is the Franciscan Alliance senior VP for the Franciscan Health Foundation and Community Health Improvement.

The Prenatal Assistance Program provides pregnancy education, counseling, peer support and enhanced access to public assistance programs, community services and hospital programs. The program also runs a Diaper Pantry, which provides diapers, wipes, formula, bottles and other supplies to families in need.

Nearly one in three families struggles to afford diapers. As many as 57% of families with diaper insecurity miss school or work because they do not have diapers to send their children to childcare.

The Fresh Start Markets help individuals in need shop free of charge for healthy food. The markets are part of a food insecurity initiative between the Franciscan Health Foundation and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. According to the food bank, about one in six Northwest Indiana residents is food insecure.

“Thanks to the generosity of our donors, community members, and grantors and the leadership of our Community Health Improvement team, we are bringing these vital services together under one roof for greater impact,” Leahy said.

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