Mercy Health Plans promotes and supports innovative health and social services that enhance community life.  The commitment to community outreach is an important part of the Mission and each co-worker is given one paid day per calendar year to perform community service.  Some of the organizations receiving our support and services are:

• American Heart Association
  We support the annual Heart Walk by forming teams of employees, family members, friends, and others.  Participants raise money to fight heart disease and stroke, then walk in the event.
• Susan G. Komen
  The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation fights to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease through research and educational programs.  Our co-workers support the Komen community outreach programs by participating in the annual Race for the Cure, as well as fundraising and community awareness events.
• St. Louis Area Food Bank
  Co-workers donate a significant portion of their community outreach hours to sort and pack food for the Food Bank, which is the distribution site for 14 Missouri counties.  The food goes to pantries, shelters, and schools to feed the area's hungry.  Each year, MHP hosts a food drive to contribute to the collection efforts of the Food Bank.
• Community Lead Prevention Action Initiative
  The Lead Free Housing project has provided temporary housing for families whose homes are undergoing renovation to make the home lead safe.  Originally started in 1997 by a Catherine's Legacy grant from the Sisters of Mercy, the Project is now supported by pooled funding from additional Mercy grants, federal dollars, corporate donations and other community funding.
• Education to Prevent Domestic Violence
  Starting with Catherine's Legacy grant in January 1999, to prevent domestic violence through education, MHP has sponsored yearly regional efforts for education as to the nature and prevention of violence.  In 2006, Mercy joined the state of Missouri and other partners in the multi-year Safe Families project.  Springfield violence prevention efforts include work with the Family Violence Center and the Rare Breed.
• Maternal Child and Family Health Coalition
  The Safe Start Project, funded through a Catherine's Legacy Grant in January 2000, gave MHP an opportunity to assist with the formation of the St. Louis Maternal Child and Family Health Coalition (MCFHC), a community response to family health needs.  MHP also contributes funding and technical assistance to St. Louis Healthy Start, a MCFHC program for wrap around services to at-risk mothers and their children, which includes women's focus groups and a book club funded by Mercy.  In 2006, the community partnership was awarded a four-year continuance of the Healthy Start Program.
• MS 150
  MHP is a major sponsor of this yearly event to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis research and treatment.  For the seventh year, Team Mercy took to the road once again on September 9th and 10th to raise awareness and funding for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society.  Our 32 riders had options to ride 40, 75, or 100 miles each day.  Other co-workers staffed the Welcome and Medical Tents.  This event raises funds for research and local programs in the battle against Multiple Sclerosis.  Team Mercy was one of four teams selected as MS Corporate Champions in recognition of participating in at least three different MS Society events and raising over $15,000.
• Access Academies
  MHP's collaboration with Access Academies includes corporate sponsorship, participatory events, and direct services as we provide educational support to low-income students and families to enhance their quality of life and community health.