To care for our communities during COVID-19, we have committed $500,000 from our community foundation to address priority needs to support Albertan’s most vulnerable populations.
This support will include
- a coordinated approach with the United Way to stabilize food security and compromised essentials,
- support to address increased suicide rates among youth and adults in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, and
- support for grassroots community initiatives to assist isolated and rural communities.
This comes in addition to our sponsorship of the Text4Hope program—a program to help Albertans cope with the heightened stress, anxiety or depression during this time—which is expected to provide support to up to 250,000 Albertans over the next three months. And, we are also contributing toward the Community-Based Seniors Serving Sector initiative, being led by the Alberta Ministry of Seniors and Housing, to enhance connections between health care and vital community social resources for Alberta’s 600,000 seniors during this time of social distancing.
“This is an incredibly difficult time not only for our customers but for all Albertans,” says Mark Komlenic, CEO of Alberta Blue Cross®. “With over 1.8 million plan members and dedicated, caring team members across the province, Alberta Blue Cross® has deep roots in the communities we serve. We personally know and feel the challenges that our families, friends, coworkers and neighbours are facing right now, and we’re committed to doing what we can to support our fellow Albertans through this time.”
Funding for the community support comes through the ABC Benefits Corporation Foundation, established by Alberta Blue Cross® in 1998 to enable community investment on a sustainable basis.
“These are unprecedented times—not only because of COVID19 but also because of the negative impact of the oil price crash on our provincial economy,” says Kevin Gregor, Foundation chair. “We urge all Albertans to join us in extending support and compassion to those in need. We may be socially isolated, but we are truly all in this together.”
Watch for program and funding updates on our community page and learn more about how we’re connected in our communities.
