Ascension Genesys, part of Ascension Michigan, has teamed up with the Genesee Health Plan, Consumers Energy and Huntington Bank to launch emPOWER Genesee, a new program to help residents and families connect with community resources while they pay their utility bills. Resources include aid with utilities, financial issues, healthcare and enrollment.
Through emPOWER Genesee, a community navigator is located at the Consumers Energy Flint Payment Center where nearly 10,000 people pay their monthly utility bills. Since the beginning of November, the community navigator has met with more than 1,000 people and connected them to resources such as food, housing, furniture, water and healthcare.
“By delivering community navigation services on site, we can reduce service access barriers and create an environment that mitigates the impact of the social determinants of health – conditions like poverty, access to healthy foods, transportation and safe neighborhoods – that adversely affect the health of people in our community if not addressed,” said Christopher J. Palazzolo, President & CEO of Ascension Genesys Hospital and Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital.
U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee said projects like emPOWER Genesee will strengthen Genesee County and help improve the lives of residents.
Photo: Christopher J. Palazzolo, President & CEO of Ascension Genesys Hospital and Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital, speaks at a news conference announcing emPOWER Genesee.
