Violence-Prevention Program Honored

The violence-prevention program at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center continues to win awards for community services, recently garnering a 1996 Achievement Citation from the Catholic Health Assn. of the United States.

The award was presented at ceremonies during the association’s 81st annual assembly earlier this month in San Antonio, Texas.

Last November, the Mission Hills hospital won an award from the Indiana-based Holy Cross Health System Corp. for the same violence-prevention program.

In a 1992 study, association officials estimated that Holy Cross contributed about $5.7 million in charity care. About 88% of that money was spent on people injured in violent acts.

As a result, Holy Cross formed its violence-prevention program, aiming to increase community awareness about the impact of violence, provide violence prevention and educational programs to elementary schools and to develop a community coalition to prevent violence.

The program, funded through a grant from the Holy Cross Health System, is supported by City Councilman Richard Alarcon and The Times in Education project.

The achievement citation provided by the Catholic Health Assn. is the highest honor bestowed by the health group. The award seeks to recognize innovative programs that enhance human dignity.

Providence Holy Cross Medical Center is a nonprofit Catholic medical facility serving the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Simi valleys.