Barnes & Thornburg Racial and Social Justice Foundation Awards $50,000 Grant to Healthier Moms & Babies

FORT WAYNE - The Barnes & Thornburg Racial and Social Justice Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to Healthier Moms & Babies in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Healthier Moms & Babies is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to bettering the community by promoting the health and safety of today's-and tomorrow's-moms, babies and families.

"Thank you to Barnes & Thornburg and the Racial and Social Justice Foundation for believing in and supporting the mission of Healthier Moms & Babies to reduce infant mortality and improve the outcome of pregnancies in the Fort Wayne community," said Paige Wilkins, CEO of Healthier Moms & Babies. "This funding will directly address and mitigate leading risk factors for infant mortality by supporting programs such as home visits, mental health therapy, diaper distribution, doula services and father or partner involvement."

In 1996, St. Joseph Medical Center received a grant from the Indiana State Department of Health for a demonstration project to address causes of infant mortality-this was the beginning of Healthier Moms & Babies. In August 1997, Healthier Moms & Babies was transferred to the Fort Wayne Medical Society Foundation.

"We are honored to support Healthier Moms & Babies in their efforts to educate, empower, advocate and prepare individuals during childbearing years and beyond," said D. Randall Brown, managing partner of the firm's Fort Wayne office. "The programs offered through this organization play a vital role in mentoring and educating parents as well as enhancing the overall well-being of families in our community."

"Barnes & Thornburg and the Racial and Social Justice Foundation are committed to promoting, advocating and effecting racial and social justice in local communities and across the nation," said Dawn R. Rosemond, foundation board member and firm diversity partner. "We recognize the importance of addressing infant and maternal health disparities that affect minority communities and are proud to partner with Healthier Moms & Babies as they continue to improve these outcomes and drive change across our community."

The Barnes & Thornburg Racial and Social Justice Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2020 with financial support coming entirely through personal donations from the attorneys and business professionals in each of the firm's offices. To date, it has granted more than $1.2 million to organizations in communities where Barnes & Thornburg has offices.

With more than 800 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from offices in Atlanta, Boston, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Jersey,