Wesley Community & Health Centers Awarded $150,000 Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Community Reinvestment Grant to Expand Vital Community Health Services

Wesley Community & Health Centers (Wesley CHC) has been awarded a 2026 Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Community Reinvestment Grant from Mercy Care in the amount of $150,000 to expand vital community health services, which provide high-quality, accessible healthcare and community support to Phoenix’s most vulnerable populations. The funding will help Wesley CHC support the construction of a two-story, 40,000-square-foot health center in the historic Grant Park neighborhood. 

Currently under construction at Central and Hadley, just south of downtown Phoenix, the Mary Rose Wilcox Center for Health Care and Innovation will transform health care delivery for much-needed Central Phoenix communities.  When completed, the Center will feature a variety of exam rooms – 24 primary care, two same-day, and specialty – a retail pharmacy, imaging, multi-purpose community rooms, and a demonstration kitchen. By addressing both medical and social determinants of health, Wesley CHC remains a trusted pillar for thousands of Phoenix families who face systemic barriers to care.

"Our mission has always been grounded in whole-person care and community empowerment," said Blaine Bandi, CEO of Wesley Community & Health Centers. "This generous support from Mercy C.A.R.E.S. allows us to strengthen our reach and ensure that members of our community receive not only compassionate medical care, but also the broader resources needed to thrive."

Operating in Phoenix’s underserved neighborhoods since the 1950s, Wesley CHC has expanded from a neighborhood community center into a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Today, the organization offers a comprehensive suite of services including primary medical care, integrated behavioral health, diabetes self-management education (DSME), HIV prevention, and specialized women’s health services. As a supportive member of the community, Wesley CHC empowers local families through youth afterschool and summer programs, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, nutrition, and community gardening initiatives.

“This investment reflects our commitment to improving health by addressing both medical needs and the broader factors that influence wellbeing,” Dr. Gagandeep Singh, chief medical officer at Mercy Care. “Wesley Community & Health Centers has demonstrated a deep commitment to caring for underserved communities, and the Mary Rose Wilcox Center for Healthcare and Innovation will expand access to comprehensive, culturally responsive care while creating new opportunities to address health related social needs.”

Mercy C.A.R.E.S., which stands for Community Action Resources Education and Service, is Mercy Care’s community giving initiative. Through Mercy C.A.R.E.S., Mercy Care partners with organizations that address health disparities and align with our community health focus areas:   building basic needs, increasing health access, managing chronic conditions, and supporting mental health and well-being. Since 2016, Mercy C.A.R.E.S. has invested nearly $45 million in community reinvestment projects that build basic needs, increase health access, manage chronic conditions, and support mental health and well-being. This year, 46 partners, from local nonprofits to statewide coalitions, amplify Mercy Care’s reach and deepen the organization’s impact across Arizona.

About Wesley Community & Health Centers

Wesley Community & Health Centers (Wesley CHC) has served Phoenix’s most vulnerable and underserved neighborhoods since the 1950s. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Wesley provides high-quality primary care, integrated behavioral health, health professional training, and diverse community development programs including youth services, nutrition, and education. Wesley CHC is dedicated to building healthier communities through compassionate, inclusive, and comprehensive care.

About Mercy Care

Mercy Care is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all Arizonans. Since 1985, Mercy Care has provided access to quality physical and behavioral health care services for Medicaid-eligible families, children, seniors, and individuals with developmental and cognitive disabilities through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Mercy Care is a not-for-profit Medicaid managed care health plan sponsored by Dignity Health and Ascension Health. Learn more at MercyCareAZ.org.