Highmark Foundation Supports Mercy Center for Women with a $32,000 Grant though Highmark Bright Blue Futures
October 28, 2026 | Erie, Pa.
Erie, Pa. (October 28, 2026) — Highmark today presented Mercy Center for Women in Erie with a $32,000 grant through Highmark Bright Blue Futures recognizing the organization’s work to help women and families build long-term stability and create measurable, lasting improvements in community health.
"At Highmark, we believe that true community health starts by empowering individuals with the resources and stability they need to thrive," said Kenya T. Boswell, senior vice president of Community Affairs for Highmark Health and president of the Highmark Foundation. "Mercy Center for Women’s holistic care changes individual lives, fosters family stability, and strengthens the fabric of our community."
Mercy Center for Women provides trauma-informed support through basic-needs assistance, education, workforce readiness, parenting support, and housing services. The organization has demonstrated success in helping clients earn their GEDs, prepare for employment, and access neighborhood-based wraparound services.
"The relationship and commitment of Highmark Bright Blue Futures will support families seeking warmth, nourishment, and new beginnings," said Jennie Hagerty, CEO of the Mercy Center for Women. "The Mercy Center for Women is grateful for the incredible opportunity and partnership."
The grant builds on Highmark’s ongoing support for Mercy Center for Women, including annual sponsorships of its Women Making History and Pedal for Mercy programs. AHN Saint Vincent, part of Highmark Health, also provides a monthly medical clinic for the center, along with behavioral health services and drug and alcohol programming.
About Highmark Foundation
The Highmark Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) private, charitable organization dedicated to improving the health, wellbeing, and quality of life for individuals who reside in the communities served by Highmark, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. We fulfill our mission by awarding high-impact grants to charitable organizations that implement evidence-based programs aimed at improving community health. Central to the Foundation’s mission is identifying and continuously reevaluating our region’s prevailing healthcare needs. By doing so, the Foundation remains at the forefront of those needs, well-equipped to pinpoint the issues that more urgently need support.
We established two restricted funds in 2021, the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health and the United Concordia Dental Charitable Fund, to further support the ongoing work of the Highmark Foundation.
In 2023, we established the Highmark Bright Blue Futures Awards, an awards and recognition program to honor exceptional organizations demonstrating a measurable, lasting impact in community health through outcomes-based initiatives.
For more information, visit www.highmarkfoundation.org and follow the Highmark Foundation on LinkedIn.
Contact:
Monica Lewis
Highmark Health
Monica.Lewis@highmarkhealth.org