Caring for Women’s Health: A Partnership with the SkillBuilders Fund

At Pharmacy of Grace, we are honored to be among this year’s SkillBuilders Fund grant recipients. This generous gift, awarded on behalf of the SkillBuilders Fund Board of Directors, will directly support our efforts to provide life-saving medications to women and girls in Wyandotte County living below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

About the SkillBuilders Fund

The SkillBuilders Fund is a private foundation committed to helping women and girls in the Kansas City region realize their full potential. With a focus on education, entrepreneurship, and leadership, the fund supports programs that promote self-sufficiency and long-term success. By removing barriers and creating new opportunities, they are helping organizations like ours build stronger, healthier communities.

You can view this year’s full list of grant recipients here.

A Growing Need

The need for affordable healthcare access for women continues to grow. In 2024, 63% of Pharmacy of Grace patients were women, a 3% increase from the previous year. Even more notably, the number of prescriptions filled for female patients more than doubled, signaling a rising demand for affordable medication.

We also saw a 5% increase in the number of low-income women accessing our services. These numbers represent more than just statistics. They reflect real people—women who are choosing their health and well-being, often for the first time in a long while.

Pharmacist Kari Duede has seen first hand the joy on a patient’s face when they realize they can finally afford their medication and prioritize their health. “As a working mom, I know how important it is to have support. At Pharmacy of Grace, we are making medications more accessible and affordable, to help women care for themselves, and their families,” Duede said.  “When access to medicine isn’t a barrier, women can live fuller, healthier lives, which in turn benefits the community as a whole.”

A Patient Story: Dawn Michelle

Dawn Michelle’s story highlights what accessible, compassionate care can do. After becoming unemployed due to a medical condition, she found herself in a difficult gap without health coverage. Finding Pharmacy of Grace offered her some much-needed relief. Our knowledgeable and friendly team helped her manage her medication costs during an incredibly challenging time.

Even after qualifying for disability assistance, Dawn still turns to us for help. When her benefits don’t fully cover her complex medication regimen, our staff works to find affordable options. For patients like Dawn, this support is more than helpful—it’s life-changing.

Our Community Impact

Many of the people we serve come through our partner organization, Mercy and Truth Medical Missions. As their contracted pharmacy, we help ensure that patients receive consistent, affordable care. Together, we are making meaningful strides toward health equity in our community.

Thank You

To the SkillBuilders Fund, thank you for believing in our mission and investing in the health and stability of women and girls in Wyandotte County. Your support is creating real change, one patient at a time.