UCB recently announced the funding recipients for the UCB Community Health Fund’s 2021 call for projects, focused on the needs of vulnerable young people in the wake of COVID-19. Three U.S.-based organizations will receive support from the Fund for projects addressing the mental health of vulnerable young people. 

Launched in June 2020, the UCB Community Health Fund is focused on supporting vulnerable people facing economic and health disadvantage across the communities where UCB operates. To date, 99 organizations worldwide have received funding totaling $4.9 million for support and research projects, with $500,000 given to 10 projects across the U.S. The Fund received more than 145 eligible applications for its 2021 call focused specifically on the mental health of vulnerable young people between 15 and 24 years of age for support and research projects from countries around the world where UCB operates. The Fund is managed by the King Baudouin Foundation and recipients are chosen by an independent selection committee.  

“In its second year, the UCB Community Health Fund continues to hear from organizations around the world doing important work to support vulnerable people impacted by the pandemic,” said Patty Fritz, Head of U.S. Corporate Affairs. “This year’s recipients in the U.S. are doing important work to support the mental health of young people ages 15-24 in continued need of support and resources and will continue to make an impact in underserved communities.” We hope the funding to recipients will enable these organizations to continue the impressive work they are doing in their communities across the U.S.”

The latest U.S. recipients of UCB Community Health Fund support are:

• Black Girls Smile, Inc. was founded with a mission to provide young Black women with education, resources, and support to lead mentally healthy lives.
• COR Inc. has a mission to unlock the potential of underserved, trauma-impacted students by removing non-academic barriers to learning and creating a school-based community to harness the power of prevention.
• The Carter Center, Inc. was founded in partnership with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter and Emory University. Their mission is on a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering, the Center seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.

“COR is beyond grateful for UCB's generous support which will allow us to provide additional, and much needed behavioral health support to our high school students.” stated Jennifer Henn, Co-Founder and Executive Director of COR, “Trusting adult relationships are key to building resiliency in our youth, and relationships are what COR does best!”

Both the 2020 call projects and 2021 projects are being implemented and it is great to see the impact being felt in communities around the world. 
 

About the UCB Community Health Fund

The UCB Community Health Fund supports vulnerable people facing economic and health disadvantage across the communities in which UCB operates. By supporting impact-driven support projects and social science research studies, the Fund aims to bring much needed relief and also strengthen relationships between UCB, communities and stakeholders. 

As a company with a strong purpose and dedication to create value for patients, now and into the future we know that through our strategic choices and daily business we can contribute the most to improve the health of people with severe diseases, including those from vulnerable groups. With the UCB Community Health Fund we want to start addressing important issues that are outside of our business scope. Learn more here.