Y and H Soda Foundation and Catholic Medical Mission Board Welcomed to FADICA Membership

Washington, D.C. – – A California based private foundation interested in Catholic organizations helping underserved populations of Alameda and Contra Costa counties, and an international medical aid agency were welcomed to the FADICA network of funders January 28, at the organization’s thirty fourth annual meeting.

The Y and H Soda Foundation was founded by the late Mr. and Mrs. Y. Charles (Chet) Soda in 1964. Long time residents of the East Bay, both were active in a variety of civic, Catholic, and philanthropic organizations, and shared a special interest in helping low income families improve their lives and well-being.

Mr. Soda was one of the original co-owners of the Oakland Raiders football team. As President of the Board of Port Commissioners of the Port of Oakland, he also played a significant role in developing the Port into the second largest container port in the United States.

The foundation recently completed a strategic planning process for the next three years and has identified three areas of focus for its work in the East Bay: family economic success, community engagement and urban Catholic education.

The Catholic Medical Mission Board was founded in 1928 and is rooted in the healing ministry of Jesus. The organization works collaboratively to provide quality healthcare programs and services, without discrimination, to people in need around the world.

Most recently the CMMB has committed ten million dollars in special aid to Haiti in the wake of January’s earthquake there.

CMMB has been working in Haiti since 1912 and maintains a key office there.

Last year, the organization sent 77 shipments of donated medicines and medical supplies valued at over $64 million dollars to help those in need.

CMMB also deployed 240 long-and short-term healthcare volunteers in the last year in Haiti. Its on-the-ground maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, and malaria programs help tens of thousands of Haitians annually. Overall, 96% of donations received by CMMB are directly applied to services to help those in need.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome these two funding agencies to our association. They both bring a depth of experience, wise stewardship, and most importantly, a commitment to the poor of our world. This can only deepen our perspective and enrich our conversations”, said Dr. Francis J. Butler, FADICA’s President.

FADICA is a philanthropic network created in 1976 to facilitate communication among funders with Catholic interests. It provides conferences, programs and research designed to strengthen the impact of the charitable programs of its members while enabling them to share experience and best funding practices.