SSM Health supports Charis Pregnancy & Family Help Center

August 11, 2025

NORTHEAST WISCONSIN – SSM Health has donated $10,000 to the Charis Pregnancy & Family Help Center to support its Charis-Vida Medical Clinic, which provides free, confidential and compassionate medical care, parent support services and material support for men, women and families.

Charis empowers women of Fond du Lac to choose life for their children and families through education, friendship and practical support.

This program offers an earn while you learn mentoring program, pregnancy mentoring, material assistance, pregnancy loss support, community assistance referrals, prenatal classes, parental training, fatherhood program and more.

“Thanks to generous community support, Charis can provide opportunities and resources at no cost to the patient or client,” Cindy Sweeney, Charis executive director, said. “We believe an ability to reach more in need of our services can help generate better self-care, resiliency, productivity and healthier relationships throughout Fond du Lac County. It is also important to increase male participation to empower, educate, equip and encourage fathers in the care and provision for their families.”

The donation was presented to Sweeney and Paige Kelley, development director, by Tami Schattschneider, SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital, VP Patient Care Services/CNO, and Bryan Kress, SSM Health Wisconsin Northern Region Director of Finance.

In 2024, SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac’s community benefit ministry totaled more than $568,000 across the communities it serves. 

This investment helps ensure access to health care for patients who are uninsured or underinsured, trains the next generation of health professionals to care for those in need and funds programs to address the most pressing health needs of our communities.