UTICA — Evelyn’s House – ICAN’s joint transitional and rapid rehousing program for homeless women, aged 16-24, who are pregnant and/or parenting – received a $5,000 Community Health Award from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

The award has helped promote health and well-being with the women and children at Evelyn’s House through service coordination and linkage to community-based providers. 

“Funding and support that can directly affect increased health and well-being is extremely imperative to the success of the women in our program,” shared Steven Bulger, CEO/Executive Director at ICAN. “A healthy and empowered mother can help her child get a healthier start in life and that ultimately produces stronger families and communities.”

Through a competitive application process, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Community Health Awards provide funding to launch, expand, and sustain programs and services that promote health. These investments advance health equity by extending the reach of preventive health services or health-promoting programs to vulnerable populations. The health plan’s corporate giving follows all applicable laws and regulations and does not support funding organizations that conflict with its corporate mission, goals, policies, or products.

“The company’s Community Health Awards demonstrate a corporate commitment to support local organizations that share our mission as a nonprofit health plan,” said Eve Van de Wal, Utica Regional President of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “We recognize that addressing social determinants of health, such as adequate housing, is vital to the health and wellbeing of our communities and we are pleased to support ICAN with this essential community health funding to provide safe, nurturing transitional housing and support services for mothers and their children.”