MOBILE, Ala., Nov. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second
year in a row, the Cigna Foundation will provide a $100,000 grant to Veterans Recovery Resources, a
community-based, non-profit organization that offers professional
clinical care and peer-based wellness programs to military service
members, veterans, families, caregivers and survivors in southwest
Alabama and surrounding areas.
Building on the successful results of the 2019 grant, the Cigna
Foundation will fund additional peer support specialists, whose
role is to provide care to fellow veterans on their recovery
journey. As veterans who have overcome addiction, substance
abuse and mental illness, peer support specialists are uniquely
equipped to offer practical skills, knowledge and assistance as
well as empathy and hope.
"Peer Support Specialists are the backbone of our organization,"
said John Kilpatrick, founder and
Executive Director of Veterans Recovery Resources and a military
veteran. "Veterans need a trusted ally in their recovery process to
share life, embrace difficult times, and move toward a healthier
tomorrow. If combat teaches you anything, it's that we can't fight
alone. We need others to be successful in recovery; we can't do it
alone."
Veterans Recovery Resources offers a continuum of
clinically-based medical and behavioral services, peer support
programming and community integration activities to provide a
veteran-centered, holistic and phase-based approach to substance
abuse and mental wellness.
"We work closely with veterans across the country to improve
their physical and emotional health, and that is why we are so
proud to support the important work of Veterans Recovery
Resources," said Bryan Holgerson,
Cigna market president for Alabama
and Georgia. "This grant will
provide even more peer support specialists to help veterans in our
community who are struggling with mental wellbeing."
As a Military Friendly® and Best for
Vets employer, Cigna's dedication to helping those who served
can be found in the workplace, in local communities and across the
nation:
- Free Veterans Support Line (855-244-6211) is available
to all veterans, their families and caregivers with resources for
pain management, substance use counseling and treatment, and
more.
- Live guided-relaxation exclusively for veterans on
Tuesdays at 5 pm ET. Veterans can
call 866.205.5379 (use passcode 113 29 178 and then press #).
- Partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs to
help educate veterans about safe opioid use, and improve the
delivery of care and health outcomes for veterans.
- Salute, a Cigna employee resource group, offers an open
forum, support, and programming for employees who serve or have
served in the military, their families, and those that support our
veterans.
- Our local ambassador teams partner with military installations,
colleges, and community programs to translate and match the job
skills of veterans and military spouses with open
roles.
- As the official sponsor of the 2020 Marine Corps
Marathon and partner of the Achilles Freedom team, we're
honored to run virtually alongside active military and veterans of
all abilities and celebrate their courage and commitment to keep
moving forward.
About the Cigna Foundation
Cigna Foundation,
established in 1962, is a private foundation funded by
contributions from Cigna Corporation (NYSE:CI) and its
subsidiaries. Cigna Foundation supports organizations sharing its
commitment to enhancing the health of individuals and families, and
the well-being of their communities, with a special focus on those
communities where Cigna employees live and work.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation is a global health service
company dedicated to improving the health, well-being and peace of
mind of those we serve. Cigna delivers choice, predictability,
affordability and access to quality care through integrated
capabilities and connected, personalized solutions that advance
whole person health. All products and services are provided
exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna
Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company,
Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York, Connecticut General
Life Insurance Company, Evernorth companies or their affiliates,
Express Scripts companies or their affiliates, and Life Insurance
Company of North America. 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 over 30
countries and jurisdictions, and has more than 190 million customer
relationships around the world. To learn more about
Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or
Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
About Veterans Recovery Resources
Veterans Recovery
Resources is a "by Veteran, for Veteran" non-profit,
community-based wellness program dedicated to supporting a life of
flourishing for those who have served. Founded in 2015, the
organization's mission is to accelerate Veteran well-being by
removing the barriers to mental health care and providing a unique
recovery program for Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors
experiencing post-traumatic stress, substance abuse and other
wellness issues. The outpatient clinic is located at 1156
Springhill Avenue in mid-town Mobile,
Alabama. More information is available at
www.vetsrecover.org.
MEDIA
CONTACTS:
Colonel John Kilpatrick
251.405.3677
jfk@vetsrecover.org
Holly Fussell
423-304-9128
holly.fussell@cigna.com
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SOURCE Cigna Foundation