Peach State Health Plan, a care management organization that helps Georgians live healthier lives through innovative healthcare solutions, and the Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation focused on investing in economically challenged communities, announced a $1.5 million commitment to City of Refuge, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that seeks to bring light, hope, and transformation to local individuals and families. The investment will support the development of a community health and wellness center as well as an innovation hub that supports unemployed members seeking employment.

"Peach State Health Plan and the Centene Foundation are proud to partner with City of Refuge to help break down barriers of inequality and provide supportive services to drive critical change and positive impact in one of Atlanta's most at-risk neighborhoods," said Peach State Health Plan President and CEO, Wade Rakes. "City of Refuge has served Atlanta's westside for more than 25 years and, together, we will continue with this vital work of creating the next phase of social transformation where it is needed most."

The commitment from Peach State Health Plan and the Centene Foundation will support two components:

• Health and Wellness Center – This partnership seeks to build out a quality health and wellness center at City of Refuge's forthcoming 36,000-square-foot Transformation Center. The Health and Wellness Center, which includes a 24/7 medical and mental health clinic, will serve survivors of trafficking and domestic violence.

• Workforce Innovation Hub – The Workforce Innovation Hub prepares unemployed and underemployed individuals to find meaningful employment. The commitment from Peach State Health Plan and the Centene Foundation will increase capacity at the Workforce Innovation Hub to provide more job training and readiness opportunities, including resume writing and interview assistance.

"Together with Peach State Health Plan and the Centene Foundation, City of Refuge is laying the groundwork for expanded health and wellness services to support the wellbeing of all who seek us out for help – from local veterans to those returning from incarceration to women escaping crisis," said City of Refuge founder and CEO, Bruce Deel. "The new clinic at the Transformation Center will be the physical manifestation of our goal to provide 24/7, high-quality care in our 30314 neighborhood for those coming out of domestic violence and trafficking. We look forward to breaking ground on the next phase of our campus with the Transformation Center."

Peach State Health Plan employees also volunteer quarterly with City of Refuge. In March, nearly 50 Peach State Health Plan team members set up the rooms and accommodations in City of Refuge's new affordable housing community that will support unhoused military veterans, citizens returning from incarceration and young men up to age 24. Peach State Health Plan will be on site again in September and December to support on going efforts.

For more information about Peach State Health Plan and the Centene Foundation's commitment to City of Refuge, visit https://www.centene.com/who-we-are/centene-foundation.html.