Chicago Park District’s Financial Assistance Fund Gets $40,000 Boost from CVS Health Grant to Help 570 Kids Attend After-School Programs and Connect to Wellness Resources and[...]

CVS Health & Aetna to host wellness and nutrition activities for Park Kids after-school program at Tuley Park in the Chesterfield community with wellness kit giveaways during check presentation

CHICAGO, IL - Just in time for the start of the Winter Program Session registration on December 9th and 10th, the Chicago Park District is excited to announce CVS Health will be providing the Chicago Park District's Financial Assistance Fund with a $40,000 grant. The Fund provides economic support to kids unable to pay for after-school programming. This generous gift will give over 570 kids an opportunity to engage in recreational and educational activities while enrolled in our park programs across the city. This donation is crucial to leveraging the Park District's resources and providing access to opportunities for our youth in communities citywide.

At the meet and greet scheduled for November 14, 2024 at Tuley Park, 501 E. 90th Pl., in the Chesterfield community, CVS Health will present the Chicago Park District with a $40,000 check and engage about 45 after-school program participants in a series of wellness activations focused on inspiring kids to lead healthy, active lives, and make nutritious choices, while learning about healthcare careers during the event in support of the Financial Assistance Fund program. Participants will also receive a wellness kit equipped with a water bottle, jump rope, and brain game.

Nearly 27,000 children between the ages of 6 to 12 years old enroll in the Chicago Park District's Park Kids after-school program. For a reasonable fee, these programs provide kids with a safe, supervised spaces to complete homework assignments, and engage in fun, extracurricular activities. One in five Summer Camp and Park Kids participants receive additional financial assistance to enroll in the programs. In 2023, over 4,100 youth benefitted from the support. To date, the Financial Assistance Fund has fundraised $290,000 thanks to support from organizations like CVS Health.

This is the second consecutive year that CVS Health & Aetna, a CVS Health company, has partnered with the Park District to help support Chicago kids by boosting the overall impact and reach of the Park District's Financial Assistance Fund. The $40,000 grant from CVS Health will help support 570 kids participating in Chicago Park District youth programs, including summer day camps.

Wellness activations in parks citywide play an integral role in promoting health and wellness by providing Chicagoans with equitable access to resources to allow them to live healthy lifestyles, regardless of identity, income, or neighborhood. Our partnership with CVS Health & Aetna aligns with all three of the Park District's Health and Wellness Pillars, in particular Promoting Community Wellbeing by connecting community members to programs and resources to elevate their quality of life.

The Park District's Health and Wellness Pillars include:

• Promoting Community Wellbeing - connecting community members, including Park District employees, to essential programs and resources that advance wellbeing, improve health outcomes, and enhance quality of life.
• Supporting Active Living Through Parks - providing access to spaces to allow Chicagoans to lead active lifestyles.
• Ensuring a Healthy Food Environment - supporting access to healthy food options for those who are food insecure; increasing nutrition education to improve diet quality and reduce chronic disease risk.

-30-

About CVS Health

CVS Health® is the leading health solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and over 300,000 dedicated colleagues - including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health - whether that's managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system - and their personal health care - by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Follow @CVSHealth on social media.

About Chicago Park District

The Chicago Park District has served Chicago residents for 90 years. It is a Gold Medal Award-winning organization, which recognizes excellence in park and recreation management across the nation. For more information about the Chicago Park District's more than 8,800 acres of parkland, more than 600 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 12 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, over 75 nature areas, thousands of special events, sports and entertainment programs, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or contact the Chicago Park District at 312/742.PLAY or 312/747.2001 (TTY). Want to share your talent? Volunteer in the parks by calling, 312/742.PLAY. Follow us on Facebook @ChicagoParkDistrict and on Instagram and Twitter @chicagoparks.