Jim Ashby

President & CEO of CareMeridian

Member, Community Partners Committee

CareMeridian provides subacute and skilled nursing care for individuals with traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and other medically-complex conditions in California, Nevada and Arizona. CareMeridian is a partner of The MENTOR Network.

Q:  Why did you agree to serve on the Foundation’s Community Partner Committee?

A:  I’ve always believed that responsible organizations give back to the community.  Whether it’s the YMCA, the Boy Scouts or my kids’ school, I make a point of giving time and money to worthy nonprofits.  Historically, I have focused on those that help kids.  I believe that not only do the organizations I support benefit, but I benefit personally too.

My experience on the Community Partners Committee is a natural extension of my personal commitment and has opened my eyes to innovative programs I might not have seen otherwise.  That exposure helps me think about both CareMeridian and the communities we serve in a different light.  The same goes for the time I spend with my Network colleagues serving with me on the Committee.  Hearing what they do makes me appreciate The Network’s diversity and substantial contribution to many, many people who need assistance.   

Q:  Why is it important for The Network to have a charitable foundation?

A:  The Network’s mission is to deliver services to people in need.  I believe that if we didn’t give back to our communities we would be missing an opportunity to fully demonstrate our clear commitment to that mission.

I also think the Foundation fits our goal of being social entrepreneurs.  Charitable giving helps The Network maintain the creative edge you need to offer high quality, innovative services.  The grant process opens us up to fresh ideas currently being tried by nonprofits caring for similar people around the country.  Whether it’s an arts program for at-risk youth in Boston or an equine therapy program for individuals with physical disabilities in Colorado, The Network learns and grows by supporting them. 

Q:  What is an example of a Foundation grant that’s made a difference in your community?

A:  The Foundation supports a mentoring program run by the YMCA of Orange County, California.  The Y matches at-risk youth with adults who can help them work through academic and social challenges here in southern California.  And they spend a good amount of time in the community, the point being to help strengthen the social fabric for kids who don’t necessarily have a traditional family structure.  It’s a neat fit with The Network’s own services.  After all, we don’t make widgets; we help people do better!

I’m also really proud of a grant we gave to the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Lied sponsors a program called YouthWorks, which offers job training and mentoring for 100 to 150 at-risk youth from diverse cultural backgrounds in Clark County.