- Initiative commits $9M over
three years, with a first-year focus on housing stability
- Request for application now open for nonprofits prioritizing
veteran mental health with programs and services directly connected
to housing and homelessness challenges
BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Aug. 12,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cigna Group Foundation,
the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), announced
today a new grant program that will commit $9 million over three years to help improve the
mental health and well-being of military veterans, with a
first-year focus on housing stability among this specific
population.
Compared to the general population, military veterans face an
increased risk of homelessness, with an estimated 40,000 veterans
who go without shelter on any given night. According to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the number of
veterans experiencing homelessness increased by 7% between 2022 and
2023.
"The Cigna Group Foundation has a longstanding commitment to the
health and vitality of our nation's military veterans and their
families," said Melissa Skottegaard,
board chair of The Cigna Group Foundation. "Too many veterans
struggle with the invisible wounds of war, including brain injuries
and post-traumatic stress disorder, both of which correlate to
experiencing homelessness. By providing stable housing, one of the
key social determinants of health, we can help provide much-needed
security and help reduce mental distress disorders among our
veteran population. We look forward to collaborating with and
supporting nonprofit organizations that are making a difference for
those who have served our country."
Grant request for application to support veteran mental
health now open
To help address this crisis, The Cigna Group Foundation has
opened its grant request for application for nonprofit
organizations with programming delivered in select states.
Applications may be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
The Cigna Group Foundation seeks to collaborate with and support
nonprofit organizations that leverage evidence-informed programs
and services to help local veterans – including underserved
populations, such as women, Hispanic and Black veterans – feel
stable where they live and ultimately create positive impact on
their mental health. The Cigna Group Foundation is focused on
approaches that may leverage the Housing First model, which
prioritizes permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness,
but that is not required.
Specifically, the programs that will be led in local communities
by nonprofit organizations should align to at least one of these
program goals:
- Increase permanent housing available for veterans.
- Improve affordability for housing for veterans through
rental or mortgage assistance.
- Enhance the offering of wraparound services for veterans
transitioning from shelters.
The Cigna Group Foundation will prioritize grants in regions
where The Cigna Group serves a significant number of customers with
high and very high social determinant of health risks, as well as
where it has a concentration of employees. This includes
Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Tennessee, and Texas.
Habitat For Humanity International Among First
Grantees
Among the first grantees is Habitat for Humanity International
(HFHI), which will use a $250,000
grant from The Cigna Group Foundation to support increased
homeownership opportunities to veterans through an expansion of its
HUD-VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) initiative. This
program links HUD rental assistance vouchers with continued case
management for veterans who have faced homelessness. Once veterans
have been stably housed for two years, they can then use the rental
assistance vouchers to purchase an affordable home constructed by
local HFHI affiliates.
"Housing instability continues to impact every community across
the United States, including
military veterans," said Adrienne
Goolsby, senior vice president of U.S. Office and
Canada at Habitat for Humanity
International. "Veterans have made significant sacrifices in
service to the country and so it is imperative that we leverage the
tools at our disposal to ensure veterans are set up for success. We
know that increased access to affordable homeownership leads to
improved health, education, and employment outcomes for veterans
and their families. Habitat is excited to partner with The Cigna
Group Foundation to work alongside more veterans to ensure they
have a safe, decent and affordable place to call home."
More information about the approach, application process, and
requirements for veteran mental health grant program can be found
here.
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 supports organizations sharing its commitment to
enhancing the health of individuals and families, and the
well-being of their communities, with a special focus on those
communities where employees of The Cigna Group live and work.
Media Contact
Jocelyn Parker
(313) 510-4173
Jocelyn.Parker@CignaHealthcare.com
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SOURCE The Cigna Group
