BCBS gives grant to PlayCorps program

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island has awarded a sixth 2015 BlueAngel Community Health Grant to the Partnership for Providence Parks’ Providence PlayCorps program.
The $36,000 grant will support parks across the capital city in providing young people in low-income neighborhoods with free play, creative exploration and nutritious meals over summer breaks.
The Partnership for Providence Parks, the City of Providence’s Healthy Community Office, the Department of Parks & Recreation, and the Providence Children’s Museum are collaborating to offer the program to more than 1,000 youth this summer.
The program increases youth access to physical activities, improving overall park safety and positive behaviors, while providing adult role models for participating youth.
PlayCorps also ensures students have access to free healthy meals during summer months. Healthy food and physical activity are components that help prevent childhood obesity.
“We continue to be very proud of the impact local community organizations have made through the support of BACHG,” said Michele Lederberg, chief administrative officer and general counsel for BCBSRI. “PlayCorps is a successful partnership working to solve the problem of students losing access to physical activity and healthy meals over summer months.”
This year, five other new grants and three transitional grants totaling $319,000 have been awarded through the BlueAngel program.

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