The Healthcare Foundation of La Porte announced its new name will be Health Foundation of La Porte.
The new name is a better match for the organization's mission, according to the organization's leadership. The change takes into account that health is influenced by many factors, including housing, income, education, access to health care and relationships.
“As Health Foundation of La Porte, the foundation remains committed to its mission of empowering La Porte County residents to live healthy and well,” said Maria Fruth, president and CEO, in a press release. “The new name represents a significant step forward in solidifying the foundation's purpose and amplifying its impact on community health.”
The foundation was established from the sale of the IU Health La Porte Hospital in 2016. The original name honored the history of the hospital foundation. With the new name, the organization aims to clarify its role in the community.
With this broader sense of health in mind, Health Foundation of La Porte partners with a wide range of partners on community projects and programs. Initiatives are aimed toward improving the physical, mental and social well-being of community members.
HFL has worked with organizations to build trails and improve infrastructure for parks and playgrounds. It has helped to make housing more accessible and to reduce food insecurity. HFL also focuses on mental health, education, art, transportation and infant mortality.
Through their Healthy Partners initiative, HFL has provided education, support and meeting spaces to more than 80 nonprofit organizations and government entities at the HFL Conference & Learning Center.
Since November 2017, HFL has invested more than $41 million in the La Porte County community. The foundation’s vision is to become one of Indiana’s top 10 healthiest communities by 2030.
