Increased State Funding Supports 30 Black Churches, Serving More Than 100,000 People in New York State

Builds on Governor’s Commitment to Fighting for Families

Governor Kathy Hochul on Feb 14th, announced increased funding for United Way of New York City to support the expansion of Choose Healthy Life, a program dedicated to increasing access to health services in underserved communities through the Black church. The expanded initiative will add 10 Choose Healthy Life–funded churches in New York State to the 20 existing churches in New York City, bringing critical health services and wellness programs to five New York cities: Albany, Buffalo, Newburgh, Rochester and Syracuse. The Governor announced that Choose Healthy Life is receiving nearly $5 million, a $1.5 million increase over the prior fiscal year to fund the expansion which affirms her commitment to improving health outcomes in Black communities. Additionally, the Governor proposes adding another $1 million in her FY26 Executive Budget, bringing the total funding amount to $5.9 million over the lifespan of the program.

“Black churches play an indispensable role in neighborhoods across New York State: connecting people with services and resources that enrich their lives and our communities as a whole,” Governor Hochul said. “Your family is my fight — that’s why I’m committing new funding to expand Choose Healthy Life and the critical health and wellness services they provide.”

Choose Healthy Life National Black Clergy Health Leadership Council Co-Chair Rev. Al Sharpton said, “Governor Hochul’s unwavering leadership in advancing the health and safety of New York’s most underserved neighborhoods deserves our deepest gratitude. Her partnership with Choose Healthy Life exemplifies the bold action required to save lives.”

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Governor Hochul made the announcement at Choose Healthy Life’s (CHL) Inaugural Summit which convened CHL clergy leaders, faith-based health navigators and elected officials from across New York State. The convening included the newest Upstate church pastors and navigators that are part of the expansion.

In partnership with UWNYC, the 20 CHL churches in New York City have been highly successful in addressing persistent health disparities by serving over 100,000 individuals through the Black church. Guided by the clergy, an individual is chosen from each church community and trained to serve as a full-time health navigator. These trusted health navigators have been central to successfully serving nearly 9,000 individuals for social determinants of health needs, providing over 6,000 individuals with Blueprint for Wellness screening reports documenting their health status, and generating over 900 referrals for social support services.

Choose Healthy Life was founded in 2021 amid the COVID pandemic and grew to fund 120 churches across 13 states. New York, with 30 churches, has more CHL churches than any other state.

The newly participating churches in CHL’s expanded efforts include:

• Albany: Macedonia Baptist Church, Metropolitan Baptist Church
• Buffalo: First Shiloh Baptist Church, True Bethel Baptist Church
• Newburgh: AME Zion of Newburgh, One Accord Christian Church
• Syracuse: People’s AME Zion, Tucker Missionary Baptist Church
• Rochester: New Bethel CME, Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church

Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State agenda is aimed at enhancing resources for families in New York, helping them build a strong foundation for their children. The Governor’s bold proposals and investments include:

• putting New York on a path towards universal child care;
• providing universal free school meals;
• investing $110 million in child care capital funding;
• advancing a nation-leading birth allowance — the New York State BABY Benefit;
• expanding access to infertility treatments;
• and distributing free diapers and other supplies to the families of nearly 100,000 babies.

Your family is my fight — that’s why I’m committing new funding to expand Choose Healthy Life and the critical health and wellness services they provide.”

Governor Hochul

United Way of New York City President and CEO Grace Bonilla said, “Nearly three million people in New York City, which represent half of working-age households, do not earn enough to cover their basic needs, making access to healthcare a challenge. Choose Healthy Life is a critical program that addresses this crisis, ensuring that families, especially those historically overlooked, have access to screenings, vaccinations, and early interventions that can prevent serious health issues. We are honored that our success in New York City has yielded an additional investment by Governor Hochul, allowing us to partner with our sister United Way agencies across the state to deliver health services to New Yorkers in some of the most vulnerable cities in our state. Through these services, we are working toward lasting, systemic change to create a healthier, more equitable future for all New Yorkers.”

Choose Healthy Life Founder and Board Chair Debra Fraser-Howze said, “This new chapter in Choose Healthy Life’s mission would not have been possible without the continued investment from Governor Hochul and the invaluable support of United Way of New York City. Choose Healthy Life is successful because of the strong collaboration that exists with clergy, government, and community leaders to carry forward our shared vision of healthier communities.”

Choose Healthy Life Executive Director Rev. Kimberly L. Williams said, “New York has been a shining example of what can be accomplished when you provide Black churches with the resources to bring about change. Together with Governor Hochul and United Way of New York City, we’re transforming health outcomes for underserved communities across the state. By offering free health screenings, community wellness programs, access to vaccinations, and much more, Choose Healthy Life is lifting up families and empowering individuals to take charge of their own health.”

Choose Healthy Life New York State Clergy Leader Rev. Jacques Andre DeGraff said, “The expansion of Choose Healthy Life across the state is a monumental step forward in our mission. This anointed partnership brings both the best of faith and science together ensuring that our dedicated health navigators can be effective on the front lines.”

About United Way of New York City:

For 87 years, United Way of New York City has been at the forefront in the fight to drive equity and ensure dignity for all New Yorkers, no matter their zip code. They unite by mobilizing the best ideas, relevant data, internal and external experts and resources. United Way of New York City maximizes impact by coordinating and aligning service providers, companies, local government and New Yorkers to help families eliminate barriers and gain the agency to improve their lives for the better. To learn more, visit unitedwaynyc.org.

About Choose Healthy Life:

Choose Healthy Life (CHL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to health services through the Black church by funding, establishing and training a trusted faith-based health navigator to educate, deliver and connect the community to much-needed health services. Founded in 2021, CHL funded 120 churches across 13 states. Since then, CHL has hosted over 9,000 events, vaccinated, tested and distributed self-test kits to over 350,000 individuals, and screened over 20,000 for comprehensive health risks. On Feb 14th, CHL’s health navigators are focused on addressing the underlying lack of access to health services in their respective communities, to help individuals take control of their health. For more information, visit choosehealthylife.org.