Each Friday, we’ll bring you a round-up of positive news about how Chamber members are making a difference in our community.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The health care workers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have been modern day heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring safe access to health care for children throughout the region. The leaders at CHOP have lent their expertise on a variety of COVID-19 Hot Topics to offer advice as the pandemic continues to unfold. In addition to treating patients in these unprecedented times, the hospital — through its Healthier Together initiative – recently joined forces with the City of Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia YMCA to support PlayStreets, a program that makes safe, fun play available to thousands of children throughout Philadelphia. CHOP also partnered with the Philadelphia Housing Authority to address hunger and poverty in local neighborhoods through a new food program partnership in response to the pandemic that delivered thousands of meals to PHA residents.
Economy League
As our country continues to fight racial and social injustices, the Economy League’s dedication to fostering inclusive, equitable growth is even more important to attack the root causes of racism. Through their Philadelphia Anchors for Growth & Equity initiative, the Economy League is creating jobs and growth in underserved neighborhoods by leveraging the purchasing power of large eds-and-meds “anchor” institutions. In partnership with the City’s Commerce Department, the organization is working with these institutions to help them shift more of their $5 billion in annual procurement spend to diverse, local vendors. In a similar vein, the Economy League is working with Temple University on the Lenfest North Philadelphia Workforce Initiative, a comprehensive approach to bringing more North Philadelphia residents into the labor force by creating career pathways into jobs at Temple University and Temple Health Systems and their major suppliers.
PNC
PNC announced an expanded commitment, totaling more than $1 billion, to combat systemic racism and further support the economic empowerment of African Americans and others in low- and moderate-income communities. As outlined in the announcement, the majority of this commitment will come to life through work led by PNC’s community development banking team. The bank’s expanded commitment will also provide more than $50 million in additional charitable support for national and local work that will help eliminate systemic racism and promote social justice; expand financial education and workforce development initiatives; and enhance low-income neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing. Additionally, an employee engagement component will enable PNC employees to volunteer in support of qualifying social justice and economic empowerment nonprofits, with up to 40 hours paid time off annually to do so.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region
Hundreds of immigrant children and families living in the Philadelphia region are facing a hunger crisis that is exacerbated even further by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the City of Philadelphia along with fellow nonprofits and a variety of community organizations, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region is serving immigrant, refugee, and other underserved communities in Philadelphia by providing weekly boxes of fresh food and supplies for more than 600 families. The partnership came together due to a $30,000 grant from the PHL COVID-19 fund. Each box, provided weekly, serves a family of four and contains approximately 15-20 lbs. of vegetables and fruit, a dozen eggs and specialty items such as avocados, mangos, or jalapeños.
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare has stepped up to make a difference in Pennsylvania and nationwide as a part of a broad range of initiatives to combat the global public health emergency. The company committed $1.5 billion of support towards tackling challenges related to the pandemic, and donated an additional $700,000 to Pennsylvania health care workers. The donation will provide PPE and support for frontline workers in addition to the development of an online training program for direct care workers related to providing care and best practices during the pandemic. Most recently, UnitedHealthcare announced a donation of $200,000 to nonprofits in Pennsylvania, as part of the company’s $12.3 million in Empowering Health grants focused on expanding access to care and addressing the social determinants of health for people in underserved communities.
Interested in sharing your story? Contact your member engagement representative to let us know what your organization is doing to make a difference in our community.
