Buffalo Urban League Receives Funding Commitment from Fidelis Care

BUFFALO (Aug. 28, 2023) - Fidelis Care, a leading health insurer providing quality, affordable coverage to New Yorkers, and the Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation focused on investing in economically challenged communities, announced today a $1.1 million funding commitment to the Buffalo Urban League (Buffalo, NY) to develop a Wellness and Entrepreneurial Center ("the Center") designed to nurture social entrepreneurship, facilitate wellness and strengthen organizations focused on Black, Indigenous and People of Color in Buffalo's East Side.

The Centene Foundation, Fidelis Care, the Buffalo Urban League, and the Community Health Center of Buffalo, a federally qualified health center serving Erie and Niagara counties, are partnering on this project. The Center will provide services and support to a community healing in the aftermath of the May 2022 mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo through the convening of strategically aligned community-based organizations including, but not limited to, the Community Health Center of Buffalo, Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Health Centers, and the Community Action Organization of Western New York. Additionally, the Center will help accelerate opportunities for new social entrepreneurs by providing business services and resources, as well as health-focused programming.

"At Fidelis Care, we are deeply committed to fostering strong partnerships in the communities we serve," said President and CEO, Fidelis Care, Tom Halloran. "We are proud to join the Centene Foundation in support of the Buffalo Urban League, an organization at the forefront of securing economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights. As we seek to provide tangible solutions and promote sustainable economic growth and community resilience in the Buffalo area, we believe the Center will foster positive change and have a significant impact on the lives of children and adults for generations to come."

"I am extremely grateful to Fidelis Care and the Centene Foundation for their generous and impactful donation in support of the Wellness and Entrepreneurial Center," said President and CEO of the Buffalo Urban League, Thomas Beauford, Jr. "This remarkable contribution will ignite positive change within and provide essential resources to our community."

The Buffalo Urban League, in partnership with Centene Foundation and Fidelis Care, will determine whether the funding will be used for new construction or renovation of an existing building.

 To read the full press release, please see here.