Press release
Philadelphia, PA, October 30, 2024 – Eluna has been awarded a grant of $150,000 from The Cigna Group Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group, to help expand its grief programming for affected youth.
Funding supports one of Eluna’s signature programs: Camp Erin, the largest grief camp network for school-aged youth and their families across the U.S. and Canada, providing weekend, day, and online bereavement support and resources. This investment provides Eluna with an opportunity to expand family camps and support for caregivers and mental health professionals though developing new workgroups and workshops.
“Thanks to this grant from The Cigna Group Foundation, Eluna can now expand its grief programming and resources to serve more youth, families, caregivers and professionals now and in the future,” said Mary FitzGerald, Chief Executive Officer of Eluna. “Our efforts address the youth mental health crisis through interventions that equip and empower children, teens, and families impacted by grief with community, connections, and a continuum of support to help them live healthy lives. We are grateful to have The Cigna Group Foundation’s support of Eluna’s mission.”
“To effectively intervene in the youth mental health crisis, we need strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations committed to improving the health and vitality of young people,” said Melissa Skottegaard, board chair, The Cigna Group Foundation. “Communities are only just beginning to grapple with the impact of the youth mental health crisis post-pandemic. We are privileged to partner with Eluna to enable their important work to improve the mental health of youth in the communities we both serve.”
According to a recent analysis by The Cigna Group’s Evernorth Research Institute, the number of young people with mental health conditions has increased 28% since 2018, and the number of young people with at least two mental health diagnoses has risen 48% over the same period. More than one in four parents report having a child with mental health challenges, diagnosed or undiagnosed, and many report challenges to obtaining behavioral health care for their child, including access barriers.
The Cigna Group Foundation has a long history of impactful partnerships with nonprofits, and recently announced a philanthropic and community engagement initiative that has committed more than $27 million in grants over the next three years to nonprofit organizations focused on improving youth mental health, improving veteran mental health, and reducing barriers to health equity.
More information on The Cigna Group Foundation’s youth mental health grant program can be found here. Additional information about Eluna programs can be found here.
About Eluna
Eluna’s mission is to support children, teens, and families impacted by grief or addiction. Founded in 2000, Eluna offers community-building camps, interpersonal connections, and a continuum of support for youth and families. Their signature camps are offered at no cost to families through over 50 local nonprofits and community organizations across the U.S. and Canada: Camp Erin, the largest grief camp network for youth ages 6-17; and Camp Mariposa, an addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth ages 9-17. Eluna also provides free research-based education and personalized support through Eluna Resource Center. To date, Eluna has supported over 50,000 youth campers and their families with in-depth programming and data-driven evaluation to ensure high standards of care and positive outcomes.
About The Cigna Group
The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) is a global health company committed to creating a better future built on the vitality of every individual and every community. We relentlessly challenge ourselves to partner and innovate solutions for better health. The Cigna Group includes products and services marketed under Cigna Healthcare, Evernorth Health Services or its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group maintains sales capabilities in more than 30 countries and jurisdictions and has more than 186 million customer relationships around the world. Learn more at thecignagroup.com.
About The Cigna Group Foundation
The Cigna Group Foundation is a private foundation funded by contributions from The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) and its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group 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 employees of The Cigna Group live and work.
Media Contact
Darby Cox, Senior Marketing Manager
(401) 862-2990
DarbyCox@elunanetwork.org