Amerigroup Georgia and Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta Announce Partnership to Promote Healthy and Active Living Among Atlanta’s Youth
Amerigroup Pledges $200,000 to Support Key Health Programs and Offer Free Club Access to Youth in Need
ATLANTA – Sept. 8, 2016 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta and Amerigroup Georgia are announcing a new partnership initiative to promote healthy and active living among kids and teens in Atlanta. A longtime supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs, Amerigroup Georgia has pledged $200,000 in funding and in-kind donations to support key health programs and initiatives impacting 3,500 children each day. Funding will also enable free access to the Club for many children in need.
“Through partnerships with leading organizations like Amerigroup, we are able to deliver programs that help kids stay active, eat right and make smart choices,” said Missy Dugan, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. “If we can help kids build healthy habits now, we believe we can impact their health for a lifetime.”
National statistics indicate a critical need to support efforts that positively impact healthy behaviors among Georgia youth. Georgia reports the third highest prevalence of overweight children in the country. Many youth across the state do not have access to nutritious food or safe places to play, learn and develop.
“Amerigroup Georgia has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta for more than 10 years to provide resources and to assist in building brighter futures,” said Fran Gary, president of Amerigroup Georgia. “We are honored to have been selected as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro’s Atlanta’s exclusive managed health care partner, and we look forward to our ongoing efforts that help children and families improve their lives.”
In addition to strengthening day-to-day programming at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s 25 locations, Amerigroup’s funding will support the organization’s first ever Girls Fitness Day. Held on Sept. 10 at the Warren Club, this event will engage more than 100 middle school and high school girls – a key group at risk for obesity. Attendees will participate in a range of activities focused on fitness and fun, including yoga, cheer and step, soccer, basketball and self-defense. The day will culminate with lunch and an inspirational message from Gary.
Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia has been serving Georgians through the Georgia Medicaid program for more than a decade. The health plan currently serves more than 375,000 members enrolled in the Georgia Families Program, which includes Planning for Health Babies (P4HB), PeachCare for Kids® and the Georgia Families 360° program. Amerigroup provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in their health care. Through health and education programs, members are empowered to choose and sustain a healthy lifestyle. For more information about Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia, visit www.myamerigroup.com/ga.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta serves nearly 10,000 children and teens each year. By 2020, the organization is working to ensure that 90 percent of the youth it serves are graduating on time, living healthy lifestyles, and giving back to their communities. To learn how you can help shape young lives, visit www.bgcma.org/get_involved.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s mission is to save and change the lives of children and teens, especially those who need us most, by providing a safe, positive and engaging environment and programs that prepare and inspire them to achieve Great Futures. Through 25 Clubs in 10 metro counties, trained and professional staff serve more than 3,500 youth (ages 6-18) daily through programs that foster academic success, healthy lifestyles and character and leadership development. BGCMA also oversees Camp Kiwanis, a 160-acre outdoor residence camp. While the cost to effectively serve those who need us most is more than $5,700 per member, BGCMA asks families to pay only a $50 annual membership fee and no child is turned away due to inability to pay. For more information, please visit www.bgcma.org.
Media Contact:
Melanie Buckmaster
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
404-527-7586
mbuckmaster@bgcma.org
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