Business

Highmark partners with Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg

PARKERSBURG -- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg to invest in mental health practices and benefit youth across the region.

The first event took place Thursday, which included volunteers from Highmark West Virginia helping members create vision boards, paint kindness rocks and incorporate mindfulness coloring

This is part of a partnership between Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies and Boys & Girls Clubs of America which was announced last year to expand trauma-informed practices, policies and programs to the more than 5,200 clubs across the nation.

"The United States has been grappling with a growing and alarming youth mental health crisis that demands a multi-faceted approach to provide kids with the tools they need to confront the challenges they face in school, at home and in their everyday lives," said Kim Keck, BCBSA president and CEO. "Between 5,000 Clubs across the country and the Blues' deep roots in every zip code, together we are uniquely positioned to intervene early, get kids the help they need, and set them on the path for the future they deserve."

The cub will receive $10,000 every year for four years and Highmark employees will have direct involvement with mental health programming by volunteering to work with club kids on wellness activities.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and BCBS companies are investing $10 million in Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help ramp up trauma-informed practices and training in clubs across the nation. The commitment is to scale the effort by 2026. Staff who undergo the training will be able to better understand the impact of trauma and ensure that youth feel safe, heard, valued and supported, so that they can achieve their full potential and thrive.

This partnership builds on the Blues' more than 250 programs across the country that support youth mental health. The partnership is informed by the strong alignment of the organizations on many levels, including the national reach and deep, local connections.

"Getting the call that Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg was the selected organization for all of Highmark's footprint was such an honor. Working with Bethany and Cathy has been an absolute delight for our team, and I just know we are going to have so much fun serving our kiddos," Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg CEO Lynn Reins said.

Senior Corporate Communications Analyst Bethany Ross and Corporate Communications Manager Cathy McAllister with Highmark Health will work directly with Reins and Program Director Dasia Russell to ensure club kids spend extra time talking about mental health and to develop coping mechanisms that can help them in their daily life.

"I am so excited for us to partner with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to focus on mental health. We are reaffirming our commitment to nurturing the mental well-being of our club kids," Russell said. "This partnership reinforces the vital role of mental health in empowering young minds and building resilient futures!"

The goal is for Highmark volunteers to come to the club once every quarter to participate in wellness activities. BCBSA research shows between 2017 and 2021, anxiety diagnoses have steadily risen among children aged 13 to 18 along with a 50-60% increase in ADHD and depression.

"We are so excited to grow our partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg through this important initiative to nurture the emotional well-being of youth throughout the nation, and especially right here in Parkersburg," said Jim Fawcett, Highmark West Virginia president. "Our team is looking forward to working together with the Club on this initiative, and we hope it sets them up for successful futures as they grow up."