Organizations join forces to bring health and wellness to the underserved
PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Back on My Feet, a national nonprofit organization, announced it is expanding its partnership with Cigna through a $100,000 grant from the Cigna Foundation and the naming of a Cigna executive to its Board of Directors to help drive health and wellness programming. Operating in 12 major cities coast to coast, Back on My Feet combats homelessness through the power of running, community support and essential employment and housing resources.
Dave Guilmette, President, Global Employer and Private Exchanges for Cigna Corporation, was recently appointed as Vice Chairman of the Back on My Feet National Board of Directors, providing oversight and leadership to the strategic vision of the national nonprofit. Guilmette joined the Back on My Feet board in early 2016 and brings with him more than 30 years' experience in the health care industry.
With Guilmette's leadership and the $100,000 in grant support from the Cigna Foundation, Back on My Feet and Cigna will launch an enhanced Health and Wellness Program to help Back on My Feet program participants lead healthier lives.
"Back on My Feet and Cigna are naturally aligned with a commitment to investing in health as a key component to success," said Katy Sherratt, Back on My Feet CEO. "We are honored to have Dave expand his leadership role with Back on My Feet, bringing his expertise and insight to the board. Through our partnership with Cigna, we are able to further grow our mission and provide our members continued support on their path out of homelessness."
By participating in the Back on My Feet program, members have seen, on average, a 48 percent decrease in high blood pressure, a 41 percent decrease in obesity and a 13 percent decrease in BMI. The new Cigna-supported Health and Wellness program targets Back on My Feet alumni, individuals who have graduated from the program into employment and independent housing, and are working hard to stay on their feet.
"I'm honored to be able to serve in an even deeper leadership capacity with Back on My Feet, an organization that is providing individuals a chance to overcome homelessness, with opportunities to better understand their physical and mental well-being, maintain physically active lives and make healthy lifestyle decisions," Guilmette said.
Back on My Feet and Cigna's multifaceted partnership will help to break down the immense barriers to healthy living the homeless population face. For more information and to help support Back on My Feet, visit https://www.backonmyfeet.org/
About Back on My Feet
Back on My Feet combats homelessness through the power of running, community support and essential employment and housing resources. Operating in 12 major cities coast-to-coast, Back on My Feet recruits members at homeless and residential facilities and begins with a commitment to run three days a week. The second phase of the program, Next Steps, provides educational support, job training programs, employment partnership referrals and housing resources. Since 2007, Back on My Feet has served more than 6,000 individuals experiencing homelessness and engaged more than 100,000 volunteers and supporters. Our members have run a collective 500,000 miles and obtained more than 4,500 jobs and homes. Every $1 invested in Back on My Feet returns nearly $2.50 to the local community through increased economic output and cost savings.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has more than 95 million customer relationships throughout the world.
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Contact:
Kirsten Anderson
Back On My Feet
212-561-7497
media@backonmyfeet.org
Websites: www.backonmyfeet.org; www.cigna.com