Boys & Girls Clubs in Georgia Awarded New Grants by the Amerigroup Foundation

Grants provide $5,000 to each Club to improve health & wellness factors among Georgia youth to create healthier future generations

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Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Nov 29, 2018, 10:00 ET

ATLANTA, Nov. 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Through Triple Play, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Amerigroup Foundation are delivering education and programming that promotes the importance of physical activity and proper nutrition, and enables youth to build the skills needed to overcome environmental factors that can negatively impact health and wellness. Thanks to $35,000 in Triple Play grants from the Amerigroup Foundation, more youth will have access to health and wellness programming in Georgia.

Through the partnership, Boys & Girls Clubs in Georgia have made significant strides in enabling youth to reach their full potential as healthy, productive adults. When comparing Georgia Club kids to national youth averages, 95 percent of Clubs kids never drank alcohol while 37 percent of national youth reported never drinking alcohol. Thanks to the Amerigroup Foundation, the following Clubs will receive grants to implement the Triple Play program:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (Awarded $10,000)
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia
Boy & Girls Club of Chattahoochee Valley
Boys & Girls Clubs of Toccoa-Stephens County Georgia
Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Georgia
Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany

"Amerigroup Georgia associates are working to ensure Georgia's youth have opportunities to live healthier lives," said Mel Lindsey, Amerigroup Georgia health plan president. "Through our Foundations, we are taking a proactive approach to adolescent health that considers social and environmental factors that impact well-being, and providing access to resources and supports that foster a greater awareness about the benefits of leading healthier lifestyles that can positively impact their future."

As Boys & Girls Clubs of America's proven health and wellness program, Triple Play is a game plan for the mind, body and soul. Supported by founding sponsor The Coca-Cola Company and co-sponsor the Amerigroup Foundation, the program's three components deliver on the belief that whole child health fosters young people's ability to gain diverse knowledge, skills, and protective factors that enable them to overcome barriers to wellness, resulting in positive future health outcomes.

"Amerigroup Foundations' continued support of Triple Play has enabled us to continuously build and implement a whole child development approach," said Jennifer Bateman, National Vice President of Youth Development Programs for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "Through the partnership, we're enabling Georgia youth in all communities statewide the opportunity to develop the healthy habits, and social and emotional skills to lead a healthy lifestyle for life."

Through Triple Play, the Amerigroup Foundation aim to create positive outcomes for youth, families and communities that are sustained over time. Together, the partnership seeks to level the playing field to enable all youth to achieve great futures.

The Triple Play grants are part of a five-year, $10 million commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs of America from The Anthem Foundation, Amerigroup Foundations' parent company.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 4,400 Clubs serve 4 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. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more on Facebook and Twitter.

About Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia

Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia helps improve health care access and quality for more than 383,000 Georgians by developing innovative care management programs and services. Members are assured care that is not only accessible, but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated and patient-centered. Amerigroup Georgia provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in their health care. Through health 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.

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America