Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Awards Grants to Community-Based Organizations for #VaccTogether Month
Funding to support the expansion of access to COVID-19 vaccinations, testing and education
CHICAGO, May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) today announced the recipients who will receive a portion of $550,000 in total funding to help deliver critical COVID-19 resources to those most impacted by the pandemic. These grants are part of BCBSIL #VaccTogether Month – an initiative connecting communities with vaccines and bolstering local outreach and education efforts ahead of the summer months.
As part of BCBSIL's collaborative approach to help Illinois residents recover from COVID-19, the awarded funds empower 16 community-based organizations across the state to expand access to COVID-19 vaccinations, testing and education.
"Building healthy communities is at the heart of everything we do at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, and throughout this pandemic, we have been honored to support local organizations who share our mission at this critical time," said Harmony Harrington, vice president, government and community relations, BCBSIL. "As we encourage Illinoisans to do their part to bring us all #VaccTogether, we stand ready to partner with these grantees to help expand vaccine education and access. By connecting hard-to-reach populations with resources, we're empowering more Illinois residents to protect themselves, protect others and take their health into their own hands."
BCBSIL offered this special round of grant funding through its Care Van® Immunization Initiative, which reinvests payments from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) to enhance community health.
Organizations receiving funding include:
- Albertsons Companies
- Aunt Martha's Health & Wellness
- Chicago Family Health Center Inc.
- Chinese Mutual Aid Association Inc.
- DuPage Access
- Family Christian Health Center
- Heartland International Health Center
- Howard Brown Health Center
- Inner-City Muslim Action Network
- Lake County Health Department Mobile POD
- Lawndale Christian Health Center
- SIHF Healthcare
- Sisters Working It Out, NFP
- South Shore Works Planning and Preservation Coalition
- South Suburban College Foundation
- TCA Health, Inc
As part of its ongoing #VaccTogether efforts, BCBSIL encourages Illinoisans to share personal photos and stories on social media using the hashtag "#VaccTogether" as they receive the COVID-19 vaccine, help someone get vaccinated or reunite with a loved one.
Learn more about BCBSIL's ongoing support for members and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is committed to expanding access to quality, cost-effective health care to as many people as possible in Illinois. BCBSIL is dedicated to innovation and exploring, nurturing and activating future possibilities to make the health care system work better for our members and our communities. BCBSIL is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Learn more at bcbsil.com and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
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