Healthy Communities Delaware (HCD) today announced a $3 million combined public-private investment in communities, between the State of Delaware and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware. This investment is targeted to support place-based, community-driven initiatives to improve the vital conditions that all communities need to thrive. The $1.5 million investment from Highmark Delaware’s grant fund, BluePrints for the Community, matches a $1.5 million investment from the State of Delaware in a public-private partnership to advance health, well-being and equity.
“Highmark Delaware’s investment will directly support the work of many HCD community partners, which are community-based organizations throughout the state working to create healthy, safe and vibrant neighborhoods. Highmark’s investment is vital to advancing health, well-being and equity, and will help move us toward a Delaware where all people and places are thriving,” said Stuart Comstock-Gay, President & CEO, Delaware Community Foundation; Managing Partner of Healthy Communities Delaware.
“You can’t have a healthy economy without a healthy community and you can’t have a healthy community without a healthy economy,” said Governor Carney. “These investments from Highmark and the State of Delaware aim to improve the vital conditions and enable Healthy Communities Delaware and the community-based organizations who work every day to continue their important work.”
“"Healthy communities are vital to creating a healthier, stronger Delaware.” Said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Ph.D., R.N. Thanks to Highmark's matching investment, we will have more resources to advance key health initiatives and eliminate health inequities. In a state as diverse as Delaware, progress requires us to break down barriers, form relationships and work together. Public-private partnerships such as those with Healthy Communities Delaware, Be Ready CDC, and Highmark lead the way to deliver the long term change and collective impact that we all want to see in communities that need it most."
“We are proud to match the State of Delaware’s investment in this important statewide, community-driven work. Through this investment, we are strengthening the vital conditions that all people and communities need to thrive. From humane housing to lifelong learning, and from meeting basic needs to creating a sense of belonging, and improving other conditions that impact a person’s health – we can help more Delawareans live long and healthy lives. It is a privilege for Highmark Delaware to be an investor and shared steward in this collaborative effort. We encourage our business and community partners to engage in this work to promote health and equity with your voices, time and resources,” said Nick Moriello, President of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware.
“Our zip codes have a greater impact on our health than our genetic codes, and so we are investing in growing healthy communities to support healthy people. As continues to be demonstrated through COVID recovery, community-based organizations are a key component of our public health infrastructure. They play a critical role in helping to address inequities and build resilience. Delaware public and private organizations, small and large, are shared stewards for health, well-being and equity, working together in an integrated way that improves our communities’ vital conditions and ensures that Delaware communities are healthy places to live, learn, work, and play,” said Molly Magarik, Cabinet Secretary at Delaware Department of Health & Social Services.
“The multi-year investments we have received from Healthy Communities Delaware, and now from Highmark, help us to accelerate our work to build resources in the Hilltop community. This includes the Solomon’s Court mixed use development right across the street, which will bring affordable housing options and space for businesses to our community. This is a different kind of investment partnership, and the long-term commitment of Healthy Communities Delaware helps us to leverage significant additional investment to create the community our residents want and deserve,” said Pastor Margaret Moon-Taylor, Executive Director, Be Ready Community Development Corporation