BLOOMFIELD, Conn., April 22,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of The Cigna Group's
(NYSE: CI) multiyear commitment to improve youth mental health, The
Cigna Group Foundation announced a $1
million contribution over the next two years to Boys &
Girls Clubs of America.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America will use the funding to expand
its work with local Clubs to train staff on how to identify the
signs and symptoms of youth in distress, and become trauma-informed
in their policies, practices, and programs, and expand the use of
its successful Behavioral Support Toolkit to all Clubs.
"As a kid, I went to my local Boys & Girls Club and learned
many life skills while having fun. Giving young people that support
and guidance from Boys & Girls Clubs is especially important as
the school year winds down and summer vacation begins," said
Melissa Skottegaard, board chair,
The Cigna Group Foundation. "We are proud to expand our partnership
with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to support even more young
people in developing resilience and healthy coping strategies."
Over the past year, The Cigna Group Foundation strengthened its
support of Boys & Girls Clubs of America with a $250,000 grant to support youth mental health
programming and the development of a teen mental health guide,
slated to launch with Clubs this year. As trauma-informed practices
continue to take root in Clubs nationwide, Boys & Girls Clubs
of America recognizes the valuable role The Cigna Group
Foundation's initial grant played in making that progress possible.
The partnership also offers employee engagement opportunities,
which has already enabled more than 1,250 employees of The Cigna
Group to participate in activities at local Boys & Girls
Clubs.
Just this month, The Cigna Group and basketball legend Earvin
"Magic" Johnson joined forces on a "Bright Futures Carnival" that
provided Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena kids impacted by the Southern California wildfires with a
fun-filled day of activities, food and gifts – along with a special
visit from the basketball legend himself.
"On behalf of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, I want to thank
The Cigna Group Foundation for supporting trauma-informed programs
that help young people develop healthy coping strategies in a
constructive environment. Community support is crucial for the
mental and physical health of our youth, and we are grateful for
the positive impact this partnership has on kids and teens in
communities across the country," said Chad
Hartman, national vice president of corporate partnership
and engagement, Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
The Cigna Group's multiyear initiative is focused on partnering
with nonprofit organizations with expertise in three essential
areas: improving youth mental health, bolstering veteran mental
health through housing stability and services, and addressing
barriers to health equity. As part of this engagement initiative,
The Cigna Group Foundation is on track to invest more than
$27 million in grants to nonprofit
organizations through 2026.
About The Cigna Group
The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) is a global health company committed
to creating a better future built on the vitality of every
individual and every community. We relentlessly challenge ourselves
to partner and innovate solutions for better health. The Cigna
Group includes products and services marketed under Cigna
Healthcare, Evernorth Health Services or its subsidiaries. The
Cigna Group maintains sales capabilities in more than 30 countries
and jurisdictions and has more than 186 million customer
relationships around the world. Learn more at
thecignagroup.com.
About The Cigna Group Foundation
The Cigna Group Foundation is a private foundation funded by
contributions from The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) and its subsidiaries.
The Cigna Group Foundation aims to support, collaborate, and
convene with nonprofit organizations addressing society's greatest
health challenges. In addition to increasing access to programs and
care in geographies demonstrating significant need, the Foundation
responds with humanitarian aid relief during critical times and
strengthens colleagues' support of causes through matching
donations and volunteer rewards. To learn more,
visit www.thecignagroup.com/community.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America
(BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to
learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and
friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily
basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs
programming promotes academic success, good character and
leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Over 5,400 Clubs serve more
than 3 million young people through Club membership and community
outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on
Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in
BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations
worldwide. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls
Clubs of America on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Contact:
media@thecignagroup.com
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SOURCE The Cigna Group
