Through the Chase Auto Gives Back program, Chase Auto has donated a Subaru Foster to Brownsville Multi-Service Family Health Center (BMS), in an effort to ensure that the BMS staff have access to transportation to assist the community.
BMS has implemented various resources to address the significant impact of COVID-19 in communities like Brownsville and East New York, where health and economic disparities occur. They've ensured free testing, a Food Saftey net for patients, and converting to Telehealth for immediate health care access.
With the assistance of the new vehicle, the organization will be delivering food, transport from different BMS sites, and performing outreach in the community. They have also donated $50,000 to assist with BMS' COVID-19 relief efforts which include safety equipment for Telehealth and supplies for their Food Access Safety Net.
"Brownsville Multi-Service Family Health Center is a phenomenal organization with a community-based mission that is so critical during these times," said Melinda Welsh, Chase Auto CMO and Head of Consumer Programs. "Many of our employees live and work in Brooklyn. We were more than happy to support BMS as they deliver lifesaving services to residents in need."
BMS has conducted over 1,500 tests, with about 20% positive cases. Testing is administered by BMS staff, volunteers, and staff from the organization Doctors Without Borders. Regardless of whether or not a patient has insurance or their immigrant status, they will have the same access to the high-quality preventive care provided by BMS. They've also offered a Food Safety Net initiative to distribute food at various homeless shelters and senior residences. Thanks in part to the donations from City Harvest and other organizations, BMS has given out over 10,000 bags of food to the community.
"BMS's COVID-19 efforts are extremely important for the Brownsville and East New York Community since our communities of color already faced significant disparities in premature death due to hypertension and diabetes and were left even more vulnerable to COVID-19," said Harvey Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer for BMS Family Health and Wellness Centers.
"Support from JPMorgan Chase helps continued care delivery through supplies of safety equipment for our healthcare workers, resources to transition patients to Telehealth and transportation to move staff across sites as well as delivering food across our community."
Free COVID-19 testing is available at the BMS site Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. Testing is by appointment only. Call the COVID-19 Hotline to make an appointment: (888) 364-3065
