WARWICK, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rhode Island Family Shelter received a $20,000 grant from UnitedHealthcare that will focus on providing shelter, education and resources to underprivileged families and children in the community. The grant will also help expand and support shelter programs needed for local residents to avoid becoming homeless again.

"Rhode Island Family Shelter plays a critical role in providing temporary shelter and supportive and affordable housing for the underserved and most vulnerable in our community," said Patrice Cooper, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Rhode Island. "We are grateful for the opportunity to support Rhode Island Family Shelter's efforts to ensure people have access to housing as well as education and counseling programs."

According to the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, in 2013 there were 4,447 homeless people in Rhode Island, including 631 families, 1,117 children and 264 veterans. The Rhode Island Family Shelter houses approximately 300 people per year, more than half of them children.

"We appreciate this donation from UnitedHealthcare that will help support housing and shelter services for local residents throughout Rhode Island, ensuring high-quality services," said Patti Macreading, executive director of the Rhode Island Family Shelter. "Additionally, this grant will enable us to continue to expand and support educational services and programs needed for less fortunate families to get back on their feet in the community."

UnitedHealthcare serves nearly 300,000 people in Rhode Island with a network of 17 hospitals and more than 4,500 physicians and other care providers statewide.

About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 850,000 physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter.

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