Ministry Fund

Especially the Poor

When Door County Medical Center affiliated with Ministry Health Care in 1999 to become part of this Catholic healthcare system, it also meant adopting the Mission and Values established by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, the sponsoring organization for Ministry Health Care. That mission is: to further the healing ministry of Jesus by continually improving the health and well-being of all people, especially the poor in the communities we serve.

One of the first initiatives to underscore this commitment to serve the poor was the establishment of The Ministry Fund in 1999. Katie Graf, a veteran Social Worker at DCMC, is the coordinator of The Ministry Fund. Through Katie’s energy and drive to help those who are poor or in any way afflicted, the original grant has multiplied nearly four-fold to meet the needs of Door County residents.

The Following List Identifies Some Examples of Requests

  • Shelter
  • Clothing
  • Durable Medical Equipment 
  • Car Repair
  • Fuel/Utilities
  • Transportation 
  • Medications
  • Miscellaneous
  • Dental Bills

Those who need assistance are encouraged to call the Ministry Fund at Door County Medical Center at 920-746-3717.

Applications are reviewed by a committee to determine if the request meets established criteria. The approval process can take as little as a few hours up to a few days, depending upon the type of request.

The Ministry Fund was initially established through a grant from the Ministry Health Care Fund. It is replenished now through a variety of grants and the ongoing fundraising events sponsored by hospital employees. The Ministry Fund welcomes donations from private individuals and local organizations that share this concern for the poor.

The Types of Needs Funded Through The Ministry Fund Are As Unique As The Many Individuals To Whom They Are Provided

  • A recent uninsured cancer patient needed all of his infected teeth removed before the oncologist could proceed with treatment. With the help from local churches and The Ministry Fund, we were able to accomplish this.
  • Winter is a hard time for many of our seasonal employees in Door County. The Ministry Fund, in conjunction with Energy Assistance, assists several residents with the heat they need to get them through the winter.
  • Several of our elderly patients require assistance with transportation to and from doctor appointments. Many could not afford the taxi rates. The Ministry Fund, in conjunction with Door Tran, developed a voucher system with local taxi companies to be used when needed.

Contribute to the Ministry Fund