United Health Foundation Pledges $1 Million to Support Vulnerable Seattle Residents Amid COVID-19 Emergency
April 09 2020 - 12:00PM
Business Wire
Partnership with the Downtown Emergency Service
Center (DESC) is part of initial $50 million commitment from
UnitedHealth Group to fight COVID-19 and support impacted
communities
The United Health Foundation has committed $1 million to provide
urgent assistance to Seattle residents experiencing homelessness as
they face unprecedented hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic. The
partnership with Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) is part
of UnitedHealth Group’s (NYSE: UNH) previously announced initial
$50 million commitment to fight COVID-19 and support those most
directly impacted, including health care workers, hard-hit
communities, seniors and people experiencing homelessness and food
insecurity.
“Ever since the first U.S. COVID-19 case was diagnosed in
Washington State, we have been concerned about the potential impact
on the people in Seattle’s homeless community, who are
disproportionately at risk,” said Doug Bowes, CEO, UnitedHealthcare
Community Plan of Washington. “Joining forces with DESC will help
ensure Seattle’s homeless residents continue to get the care and
resources they need.”
The $1 million donation to DESC will help address workforce
challenges, including purchasing personal protective equipment,
hiring relief workers and supporting ill employees, as well as
helping DESC safely provide food and temporary housing to many of
the 8,000 homeless and formerly homeless individuals it serves.
“DESC is committed to adapting to the pandemic to continue
serving the homeless and formerly homeless people of Seattle,” said
Daniel Malone, executive director, Downtown Emergency Service
Center. “This partnership with the United Health Foundation will
allow us to concurrently support our health workforce as well as
safely serve the needs of our clients.”
UnitedHealth Group, including UnitedHealthcare, Optum and the
United Health Foundation, has a long history of addressing
homelessness and food insecurity — key determinants of health among
vulnerable populations in Seattle and across the country. The
United Health Foundation recently announced $5 million in national
partnerships with the National Health Care for the Homeless
Council, the Feeding America network of member food banks, and
Meals on Wheels America as part of its commitment to fight COVID-19
and support impacted communities.
About Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC)
The Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) provides integrated
services, including housing, emergency shelter, crisis intervention
and health care, to approximately 8,000 homeless and formerly
homeless people in Seattle. Its mission is to end homelessness of
vulnerable people, particularly those living with serious mental
illness or substance use disorders.
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a diversified health care
company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and
helping to make the health system work better for everyone.
UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services
through two distinct platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which provides
health care coverage and benefits services; and Optum, which
provides information and technology-enabled health services. For
more information, visit UnitedHealth Group at
www.unitedhealthgroup.com or follow @UnitedHealthGrp on
Twitter.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200409005216/en/
Lisa Contreras, UnitedHealthcare Regional Communications (520)
444-6600 lisa_contreras@uhc.com
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