Excellus BlueCross BlueShield recently awarded Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees a health and wellness award to support its women’s wellness group, which supports mental health and social engagement among the refugee and immigrant women.
The program, which is coordinated by Center for Refugees’ health access coordinator, focuses on small group activities, education, wellness and artistic activities, with a focus on socialization and community engagement.
Each two-hour program begins with a health topic which is presented either by an external agency or a program staff member from The Center. The women then participate in a craft or artistic activity, which research has shown to be therapeutic for populations that have experienced previous trauma.
“Many of the families that we encounter face the monumental task of starting their lives over in a new country with limited social and mental wellness support,” explains Shelly Callahan, executive director at the center. “This program provides these women with discussions around health topics and provides activities that allows them to socialize with other women who are facing similar obstacles in a new country.”
The center assists refugees, immigrants, and those with limited English language proficiency throughout the integration process and helps them achieve independence by developing services that fosters a healthy community filled with many cultures.
Excellus BCBS’s Health and Wellness Awards support programs that conduct ongoing work or initiatives designed to improve community health and health outcomes. Health disparities are complex and can have many causes. These awards are given to programs that address specific health conditions or factors linked to health disparities.
“Helping to build a healthy community is core to our mission as a nonprofit health plan,” shares Tony Vitagliano, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield regional president. “We are proud to provide the center with this essential community health funding to support women in the immigrant and refugee population. The information they learn and the positive experiences they have will benefit their entire families.”
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is committed to supporting local organizations that improve community health. The company’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.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Utica region encompasses Clinton, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego and St. Lawrence counties.