Community Health Plan of Washington takes our responsibility for supporting community organizations to heart every day.
At Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW), we work to identify and address health disparities and inequities surrounding access to and delivery of healthcare for individuals. We know the impact that the social determinants of health (the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age) along with many other factors, including racism & discrimination have on people’s health and wellbeing.
For this reason, we are pleased to share that CHPW has donated a total of $250,000 to 25 community-based organizations throughout Washington state. This donation will be used by the organizations to support their work in addressing health equity disparities in local communities and bring awareness to multiple supporting organizations in their area. This is our second year we have provided this type of grant to community-based organizations who are providing needed care and support for those in their community.
With a focus on investing in local partnerships, we aim to protect those lives that have been affected by health equity disparities. This donation will help these 25 organizations offer the vital healthcare and social services that is part of what they do every day. Each of the organizations provides direct services to support people of color in meeting their needs in a culturally responsive way.
You Grow Girl!, a nonprofit organization serving female-identifying youth and families throughout Washington state, was one of the 25 community-based organizations to receive the funds. The organization’s Executive Director, Jamila Coleman, shared the following remarks at the virtual press conference:
“As part of our whole sister, whole family comprehensive wrap-around framework, You Grow Girl! offers career-focused mentoring, leadership development programming, and an array of community-based behavioral health services, including Wise Wraparound, all within a safe and supportive sisterhood at no cost to those we serve.
Resources for us were already limited, but there was a need for us to expand our services and to address the insufficient housing resources for homeless older youth was expressed by our sisters. Being a recipient of your investment, we have allocated these funds to support our ‘Therapeutic Young Adults Housing Program,’ which will open its doors this year. Your investment will ensure that our homeless sisters, ages 17 through 24, struggling to navigate the world, will be equipped with the essential skills for increased sustainable success in their transition from foster care and homelessness into adulthood as inspirational contributors to society. Your continuous investment and behavioral health services, and under-resourced communities are contributing to a just, equitable society and healthy economy.”
CHPW recognizes that advancing equity is a collaborative effort – it is in coming together with Washington’s CBOs to harness the power of community that we can address people’s many and distinct needs. This funding recognizes that these organizations are on the front lines of meeting those needs. Learn more about the other 25 organizations in this announcement from earlier this summer, and stay tuned here and on our social channels as we share more stories about the work of these organizations.