Monroe County Family Coalition

You can make a difference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2023
CONTACT
Name: Dina Johnson
Phone: (585) 489-4833
Email: mcfamilycoalition@gmail.com

Monroe County Family Coalition, Inc. named recipient of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield 2023 Health Equity Innovation Award $30,000 in funding to strengthen mental health wellness and nutritional support for underprivileged youth and families

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Monroe County Family Coalition, Inc. (MCFC) has been recognized by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for its commitment to addressing health disparities and improving health equity and named a 2023 Health Equity Innovation Awards recipient.

The awards program aims to provide financial support to community programs that address racial and ethnic health disparities across Excellus BCBS’s upstate New York service area. MCFC was awarded $30,000 to support mental health wellness and nutritional programs for underprivileged youth and families in Monroe Co.

MCFC was founded in the wake of the Black Families Matter rally held by a group of parents and teachers on June 20, 2020, in the Town of Greece, New York. MCFC’s president Dina Johnson is a marriage and family therapist, a Black parent and an executive with professional experience in health care and health education with a focus on racial and ethnic minority populations. In addition, since its founding, MCFC has already organized a series of programs for local racial and ethnic minority communities. Most recently, MCFC held a back-to-school event in the City of Rochester, which brought together over 350 community members, including at least 25% of Black/African Americans and 15% of other racial and ethnic minorities.

“Mental health wellness and nutritional support programs for underprivileged youth and families in Monroe Co. will enhance our continuous efforts by introducing several initiatives to bolster support for vulnerable community members,” said Dina Johnson, MCFC’s president and CEO. A dedicated part-time staff will lead engagement with key stakeholders, expanding workforce development, financial literacy and one-on-one consultations. The program encompasses an annual back-to-school event, a community garden with nutrition workshops, guidance for cultivating healthy habits and a youth and wellness conference.

“As an organization deeply committed to community wellbeing, we recognize the critical importance of our efforts in enhancing support for underprivileged youth and families. Our investment reflects our dedication to fostering holistic development. This program, with its focus on education, nutrition, and mental health, aims to bridge disparities and empower underserved communities in Monroe County. We believe it’s essential to provide the necessary resources and guidance to ensure every individual has the opportunity to thrive and lead a healthy, fulfilling life,” Johnson.

MCFC is one of 20 nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations from across Excellus BCBS’s upstate New York service area – including the Rochester, Central New York, Utica/North Country, and Southern Tier regions – recognized as part of this year’s Health Equity Innovation Awards.

Organizations were invited to apply for the 2023 Health Equity Innovation Awards to receive grants of up to $30,000 each to help fund initiatives, programs and research that specifically target the root causes of health inequities, with a focus on addressing structural racism. Applicants were assessed based on clear, defined goals and measurable results for reducing health disparities and improving health equity, and 20 grant recipients were selected following a comprehensive review process that included input from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

“At Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, our mission is to help people lead healthier, more secure lives through access to high-quality, affordable health care. We’re committed to community partnerships and using our resources to support initiatives that directly target health disparities, promote access to care, and address the underlying social determinants of health, to help ensure everyone can reach their full potential,” said Simone Edwards, DrPH, MPH, Excellus BCBS’s vice president health equity and community investments. About Monroe County Family Coalition, Inc. (MCFC). Founded in 2020 in Greece, New York, MCFC is a 503(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the inequality gaps in the community and creating opportunities for underserved youth and families. MCFC partners with local government, schools, businesses and nonprofits to provide career and life skills training and consultations; mental health support; and access to local resources.

Follow MCFC on Facebook @greecenyfamilycoalition. Visit www.mcfcinfo.org for more information.

About Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a nonprofit health plan with 1.5 million upstate New York members. The company's mission is to help people live healthier and more secure lives through access to high-quality, affordable health care. Its products and services include cost-saving prescription drug discounts, wellness tracking tools and access to telemedicine. With more than 4,000 employees, the company is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce to foster innovation and better serve its members. It also encourages employees to engage in their communities by providing paid volunteer time off as one of many benefits. To learn more, visit ExcellusBCBS.com. -end-

------------------------------------------------------------------------- Change Starts With Us: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer [Celebration Day Welcome] - 9/17/2022

Good afternoon everyone, my name is Dina Johnson, CEO/President of the Monroe County Family Coalition. We welcome you to the first upstate L.O.V.E. Is The Answer, Mural Celebration Day. For the past four years celebration has been happening around the country and we are delighted to finally take a part in this international movement. So what does this day mean and why are the pledges so important? This day is an opportunity for policing and the community to unite and learn to understand each other: bridge gaps, and be a part of the solution for change in our neighborhoods. The L.O.V.E. Is The Answer Pledge reads:

I pledge to (1) LEARN about the people in my community, (2) to unconditionally OPEN my heart to their needs as if they were all immediate family members, (3) to VOLUNTEER to be part of the solution in their lives during both good and challenging times, and (4) to EMPOWER everyone I meet to do the same as if our lives depended on each other.

As you look over at the mural, respectfully completed by Quinn Orr who will be speaking later this evening, we all know our community is hurting, but with this endeavor, we thought it would not only bring color to the city’s walls but provide a safe space for people to come heal, feel a sense of hope if they have lost a loved one from violence or disease; thus overall empowering community members to keep going on their darkest days. As we know, this is just one tool for everyone in the community to find a place of healing. Moreover, MCFC is committed to continuing to bridge gaps, opening our hearts to the community, and being there for our community in times of need.

We thank everyone who is attending this event today.

Dina Johnson Rochester, New York

(from the L.O.V.E. Event Saturday, September 17, 2022 3:00 PM-5:00 PM)

In This Season of Giving Please Reach into your pockets and donate to the many community projects MCFC sponsors

Monroe County Family Coalition, Inc. (MCFC) is a nonprofit organiztion formed by a group of Monroe County parents, teachers, and counselors, in the wake of the Black Families Matter rally that was held on June 20, 2020. The community within Greece, NY, came together with a vision to create opportunities for families to bring about change, and bridge inequality gaps in the community.

Please Donate to the "ROC The Day" on behalf of the MCFC. Your Donations will help those in need in our Community.

Follow the Link on the "ROC" illustration below to make a pledge.

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Making a Difference with MCFC

To consistently explore innovative ways to advocate on behalf of families within our region

The Mission of the MCFC

To connect local families to community resources and bridge the gap between local government and partnering agencies and at-risk youth and families. To create safe places for a courageous dialog between various entities within the community that addresses diverse contentious matters.

Vision:

Creating opportunities for families to bring about change and bridge inequality gaps in the community.

Core values:

To serve the community with integrity.
To be committed to dependability.
To consistently explore innovative ways to advocate on behalf of families

As we celebrate this new American holiday, let us take a stand against racism, educate ourselves on racial justice issues, and actively support organizations that work to eradicate racism in our community. Wishing You and Your Family Happy Juneteenth Day!

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One Day at a Time… We can make a difference. Acceptance, humility, patience and understanding. These ideals will bring about change for ourselves and our relationships. And in time . . . To the world!