RELEASE
Five Grants Awarded to Organizations Dedicated to ‘Building Bridges’ for At-Risk Populations
Erica Stamatoulakis
| 4 min read
DETROIT, July 19, 2022 – Five organizations are receiving $200,000 in grant funding to expand their programming in support of Michigan health-disparate populations affected by homelessness, substance use disorder (SUD) and/or former incarceration. The funding partners, comprised of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, Ethel and James Flinn Foundation and The Children’s Foundation, placed an emphasis on addressing community health issues with this grantmaking. Grants were awarded to three community-based organizations, one Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and one recovery housing organization, each addressing unique needs and health issues of Michigan residents. The ‘Building Health Care Bridges to Stable Health’ grant programs will directly address the social determinants of health tied to a higher prevalence of infectious and chronic diseases, and mental illness in at-risk individuals. According to Healthy People 2030, social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. The planned interventions, supported by the grant funding, will identify and address issues that prevent those in need from getting the assistance and care they need, which often results in increasing the cost of care and unnecessary emergency department visits. The interventions will address unmet health care needs in disparate populations and identify the downstream impacts of adverse mental, physical and behavioral health and general wellbeing. Organizations receiving grant funding include:
“This grantmaking recognizes the unique challenges individuals face due to health inequity and systemic barriers holding them back from getting the proper care and support they need,” said Audrey Harvey, executive director and CEO of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. “The programs we are supporting will provide access to services that will address barriers to quality health care services and outcomes all Michigan residents deserve. Everyone deserves stable and safe environments that lead to sustainable pathways of leading healthier lives.” “We are happy to support this collaborative effort to improve access to treatment and services so that people can get the care they need,” said Andrea Cole, executive director and CEO of the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation. “Youth development and mental health are two key focus areas of The Children’s Foundation,” said President & CEO of The Children’s Foundation, Lawrence J. Burns. “This dynamic collaboration enables us to directly impact adolescents and young adults in multiple ways from a variety of angles, right when they need it most.” ### About the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network and is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information about our work and grant programs available, please visit bcbsm.com/foundation. About the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation is a Detroit based private foundation dedicated to improving the quality, scope, and delivery of mental health services. The foundation partners with non-profit organizations that deliver mental health care and services in Southeast Michigan to develop, evaluate and implement best practice treatment programs. For more information about our work and grant programs available, please visit https://www.flinnfoundation.org. About The Children’s Foundation The Children’s Foundation is a premier foundation focused on the health and well-being of the children of Michigan and their families by working in collaboration with other organizations in the community. By listening to community needs, The Foundation responds by mobilizing and enhancing resources through innovative partnerships and funding models. Since 2011, the Foundation has distributed more than 75 million dollars in grant funding to more than 140 partners throughout the state. Current initiatives of The Children’s Foundation include Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, The Jamie Daniels Foundation, First Tee- Greater Detroit, Detroit Excellence in Youth Arts and the Paul W. Smith Charities. Current areas of focus for the Foundation include mental health, nutritional wellness, abuse and neglect, pediatric research, injury prevention and youth development. Learn more at www.YourChildrensFoundation.org.
