“We’re proud to support the critical work of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan and Wayne Metro in addressing social determinants of health in the community, which we know directly impact individuals’ health outcomes,” said Teressa Smith, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Michigan. “By addressing these determinants and leveraging data-driven initiatives to provide targeted support, Aetna and our partners can better understand the needs of individuals and families in the Detroit area and proactively deploy resources to address health challenges head-on.”

The donation to Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan will enable the organization to expand its efforts in providing essential services to under-resourced populations, including food assistance, housing and employment support and health care navigation services. The organization’s Center for the Works of Mercy, a comprehensive initiative helping to reduce homelessness, hunger and unemployment, has grown rapidly since its opening, with over 4,000 annual client interactions. Funding from Aetna will be used to support the increasing demand for critical life-stabilizing resources by bolstering personalized case management services, while also supporting data-driven initiatives to help local service providers better understand the needs of community members to provide timely, relevant support.

“We’re so grateful for the support of partners like Aetna, who share our dedication to tackling social determinants of health in the community,” said Paul Propson, CEO of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan. “With this generous donation, we’re able to deepen our impact in the community by reaching more individuals and families battling homelessness, food insecurity and barriers to employment.”

Additionally, Aetna’s donation to Wayne Metro will work to improve housing and create healthy homes in Southeast Michigan through initiatives aimed at utility, rent, mortgage and property tax support, and home repair assistance for low-income individuals and families. This additional funding will help Wayne Metro to assist over 9,000 households combatting healthy housing barriers over the course of 12 months. 

“The contribution from Aetna is significant in allowing us to address health obstacles that so many in our community experience, and it will directly impact our efforts to supply essential resources that improve housing quality and make a tangible difference in the lives of those in the community,” said Louis D. Piszker, CEO of Wayne Metro. “Their support not only recognizes the critical work of our organization but also increases our capacity to serve individuals and families in and around Detroit.”