News Release

HOME OF THE SPARROW RECEIVES $19,000 GRANT FROM
THE BAXTER INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

Grant to Support Expanded Medical, Dental, and Mental Health Counseling

McHENRY, Ill., December 5, 2002 - The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Baxter International, Inc., has awarded a $19,000 grant to Home of the Sparrow, a transitional shelter program for homeless women and their children. The grant will enable Home of the Sparrow to expand its comprehensive counseling services through the hiring of licensed and board-certified consultants in the medical, dental, and mental health fields.

There are an estimated 600-1,000 homeless people living in McHenry County. Home of the Sparrow's clients, 60 percent of whom are children, are referred to the shelter from churches, hospitals, and domestic violence shelters. When women and their children enter the program, Home of the Sparrow provides for their immediate needs such as food, clothing, and counseling services to help them through the crisis of homelessness. The addition of medical, dental, and mental health consultants will allow Home of the Sparrow to more quickly and accurately identify the needs of women and children entering the shelter, as well as refer them to the appropriate counseling programs.

"Today's residents are not only homeless, but they come to us with more mental and physical problems than those we have served in the past," said Karen Stunkel, executive director, Home of the Sparrow, "The women we serve today have more specialized needs and The Baxter International Foundation grant will enable us to respond more effectively to these needs."

Home of the Sparrow's counseling programs are designed to teach residents to cope with emotional and mental distress, and to understand and address the important root causes that led them to homelessness. The programs guide and support participants in transition from homelessness to self-reliance, independence, and self-respect by promoting economic and emotional well-being.

"We are pleased to support the expansion of Home of the Sparrow's comprehensive counseling services," said Patricia Morgan, executive director of The Baxter International Foundation, "These programs are helping women and their children improve their quality of life by teaching them how to lead healthy lifestyles and maintain self-sufficiency."

Home of the Sparrow, established in 1988, is the only transitional shelter program in McHenry County for women and their children. Currently, the agency shelters up to seventy-two women and children each night. Home of the Sparrow's mission is to empower individuals and families by teaching self-reliance, independence and self-discipline. In pursuit of its mission, Home of the Sparrow advocates with local community, religious and governmental agencies to initiate policies and implement programs that prevent homelessness, joblessness, and hunger. For more information please call (815) 344-5171.

As the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc., The Baxter International Foundation helps to increase access to health care in the United States and other countries. In 2001, foundation grants totaling $4.8 million improved access to care for children, the uninsured and the elderly, helped prevent child abuse and neglect, promoted health education, expanded education opportunities for health-care providers, and helped victims of global disasters.

Baxter International Inc. is a global medical products and services company that, through its subsidiaries, provides critical therapies for people with life threatening conditions. Baxter employs more than 5000 people in Northern Illinois.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Media Contacts: Tanya Tyska, Baxter, 847-948-3256 Kathy Stunkel, Home of the Sparrow, 815-344-5171