The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York today announced they will provide seven grant awards as part of their collaboration on Univera Healthcare’s 2024 Health Equity Innovation Awards. The Health Equity Innovation Awards provide funding to community-based organizations to support programs focused on combating racial and ethnic health disparities.
In addition to more than $100,000 in funding provided by Univera Healthcare through 13 grants, the Health Foundation will support the following programs with awards totaling more than $125,000:
- Calming Nature Doula Center – Nurturing Futures: Empowering Moms Initiative: The program will provide personalized, continuous care during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, significantly enhancing maternal wellbeing and fostering a positive birthing experience.
- Gerard Place for Healthy Mom & Baby- Pre/Post Natal Care and Support: The program will make impactful, measurable differences in maternal/baby health and security in several ways, including extending breastfeeding rates, engaging moms with mental health care, promoting safe sleep practices, and increasing rates of engagement with prenatal and postnatal medical appointments.
- Hope of Buffalo, Inc. DBA: Peaceprints of WNY – Project Blue Niagara County Expansion: The program will provide clients with pathways to long-term employment; safe, clean, supportive housing; basic needs like food, clothing, and hygiene supplies; links to medical, mental health, and substance use disorder treatment; educational and other services.
- Community Connections at Findley Lake: The program provides the building blocks of well-being, including access to food, companionship, and safe housing, to help residents remain safe and healthy in their own homes as they age.
- Harvest House Buffalo – Good Neighbors Dental Care: The program is community-centered, allowing for enhanced voice and empowerment in achieving individualized health care goals in an equitable way.
- Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc. (CHCB) – Addressing Health Equity Through Diabetes Management and Oral Health: The program will address diabetes management and oral health within federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), with a focus on health equity.
- United Way of Buffalo & Erie County: The program offers culturally competent training, education, advocacy and support for breastfeeding with special interest in BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or People of Color) communities.
View Univera’s awardee list here.
This collaboration between Univera Healthcare and the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York was more than two decades in the making. In 2002, the foundation, then known as the Community Health Foundation of Western & Central New York, was established, and endowed with assets from Univera Healthcare that would eventually total over $100 million. Over the ensuing 22 years, the Health Foundation has awarded more than 500 grants totaling $50 million to organizations across Western and Central New York.
“The enthusiastic community response to this opportunity and impressive list of selected grantees is evidence that our region’s nonprofits are working hard to advance health equity for Western New Yorkers,” said Nora OBrien-Suric, PhD, President, Health Foundation for Western & Central New York. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Univera on the Health Equity Innovation Awards and send our congratulations to each of the selected organizations.”
ABOUT THE HEALTH FOUNDATION FOR WESTERN & CENTRAL NEW YORK
The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York is an independent private foundation that advocates for continuous improvement in health and health care for the people and communities of Western and Central New York. The Health Foundation’s vision is a healthy central and western New York where racial and socioeconomic equity are prioritized so all people can reach their full potential and achieve equitable health outcomes. For more information, please visit www.hfwcny.org.
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