Supporting Community Health Through Philanthropy

Community health workers are one of the most important, and least visible, links in the health care system. At Wheeler, they serve as trusted guides who help people overcome the barriers that often stand between them and better health.

In Bristol, Wheeler’s community health worker, through longtime philanthropic support of the Mott Corporation and IDEX Foundation, is more than an outreach role. This team member is from the communities we serve, and builds trust in places where families already live, gather, worship, and seek help. That means meeting people not only in our health center, but also in homes, libraries, churches, schools, and neighborhood spaces.

Community health workers connect people to both health care and the practical supports that make care possible. They help individuals establish primary care, provide preventive health education, perform blood pressure and glucose screenings, and connect patients to services such as SNAP, food resources, utility support, and transportation assistance. They also help reduce stigma, misinformation, and confusion that can keep people from seeking care.

“At Mott Corporation, our commitment to the Bristol community is guided by our core values to ‘Care Deeply’ and ‘Believe In Possibilities,’ reflecting a dedication to supporting Wheeler’s community health workers as trusted guides who break down barriers to care. By providing these vital links to preventive care, we are investing in the health of our neighbors and building a stronger, more resilient future for all,” said Karthik Viswanathan, president, Mott Corporation.

At Wheeler, this work is deeply personal and highly practical. On average, the Community Health Worker supports dozens of patients each month through in-person and phone-based engagement. The role also helps people recently discharged from the emergency department reconnect to ongoing care, reducing reliance on crisis services and strengthening continuity.

Despite their proven value, community health workers are often not reimbursed through traditional insurance. That makes philanthropy essential. Mott’s continued support for Wheeler’s community health worker in Bristol helps ensure that residents are not left outside the health care system, but are guided into coordinated, preventive, and integrated care that improves lives and strengthens communities.