Say “Hello” (Again) to Alisa Barrios
At the St. Joseph Fund, our work is rooted in relationships with one another, with our partners, and with the communities we are called to serve. That is why we are so glad to reintroduce Alisa Barrios, who has returned full-time as our Community Partnership Specialist (grants manager). Alisa brings more than two decades of experience across the St. Joseph Health system, along with a deep understanding of our history, mission, and ongoing commitment to communities experiencing the greatest barriers.
Her return marks both a homecoming and a renewed chapter in our work of partnering in ways that are healing-centered, trust-based, and rooted in love.
Meet Alisa
Can you share a little about your journey and what it means to be back full-time with SJF?
I’ve been with Providence St. Joseph Health since 2004. I started as an administrative assistant at the St. Joseph Health System Foundation and, over time, stepped into the grants manager role. For the last several years, my time was split between Community Health Investment and SJF. While both divisions are equally rewarding and challenging, being full-time with SJF is exciting because it really feels like home.
I can now focus more on a single thing, and that feels very meaningful. I’ve worked closely with the team at SJF for a long time and know how deeply its mission has remained grounded in care for the most vulnerable in our communities.
What has kept you connected to the SJF over the years?
What has always stayed with me is the mission. I have a strong respect for the SJF’s origins and for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange who ensured their mission remained embedded in this work. That thread has never been lost.
I’ve also had the opportunity to witness how the SJF’s approach has shifted over time. When I first started, much of the work centered on direct services, including supporting clinics, food pantries, shelters, programs for mothers and babies, and disaster relief. Those needs remain important, but over the years, SJF has increasingly looked upstream, asking what is causing hunger, homelessness, and poor health in the first place. It has been meaningful to watch that shift happen and to be part of it.
How does “Rooted in Love” resonate with your approach to the work?
The first thing I think of is the Sisters and their commitment to the dear neighbor, especially those who are most vulnerable. To me, that is what it means to be rooted in love — to protect that focus and truly care for one another fiercely.
I also see that legacy in our team. The care is genuine. It is not for show, and it is not about numbers. It comes from a sincere commitment to people and communities. That has always meant a lot to me.
Philanthropy can be emotionally demanding. How do you stay grounded?
The world feels overwhelming right now, and the needs are overwhelming, too. I try to come back to the idea that we cannot do everything, but we can do something. That perspective helps ground me.
I also think the way we interact with our partners matters. Even when we cannot solve every challenge, we can make each interaction human, respectful, and real. We can listen well. We can understand the loads people carry. This authentic connection is part of what makes our work different – and helps me stay grounded.
What is bringing you joy right now outside of work?
My family, especially my daughter, is a huge source of joy for me. Staying connected with friends who are thoughtful, caring, and creative also brings me a lot of joy. I have friends who are making art, starting new projects, and reminding me that joy matters, even in difficult times.
We need both joy and action. We can’t ignore what is happening around us, but we also can’t live entirely in overwhelm. We have to keep living, keep loving, and keep finding ways to move forward.
What are you most looking forward to in this chapter with SJF?
I’m very happy to be back in part because I believe deeply in the work. Their path has changed over the years, but the heart of it remains the same: staying focused on those who are too often overlooked or disregarded. In a world where that can happen far too easily, it means a lot to know that my work, in some small way, contributes to supporting the most vulnerable in our communities.
Alisa’s return is a reminder that strong partnerships are built not only through systems and strategy, but through care, continuity, and shared purpose. We are grateful for the wisdom she brings to this work and for the ways she helps steward relationships with integrity and compassion.
To stay connected with stories from our partners, reflections from our team, and updates on how we are advancing healing-centered, community-rooted work, sign up for the Rooted in Love newsletter.
