This article appeared in the Jul/Aug 2024 issue of MiMfg Magazine. Read the full issue and find past issues online.

At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, we believe communities thrive when they’re healthy, vibrant and have access to essentials such as health care, employment, education, nutritious food and safe places for physical activity. For 85 years this has been the cornerstone of our social mission and, since then, we’ve seen the positive impact our outreach initiatives have had on people and communities across our state.

Our corporate giving and community projects focus on increasing access to health care and encouraging healthy people and healthy communities. An excellent example is Blue Cross’ longtime funding to improve the physical and mental health of Michigan students K-12. Our Building Healthy Communities (BHC) program helps create healthier school environments for staff and students, and has been shown to help reduce childhood obesity, prevent chronic disease and improve academic achievement. Since BHC’s inception in 2009, we’ve provided grants that have supported more than 538,000 students in over 1,280 Michigan schools through sustainable, evidence-based tools and resources offered by the program.

We’re additionally proud to be Michigan’s largest private funder of our statewide free and charitable clinics, which provide health care to underinsured and uninsured residents. Since 2005, through our Strengthening the Safety Net program, Blue Cross has given $17 million to ensure these clinics can continue to provide free or low-cost medical, dental and behavioral health services to those in need. Many clinics also help with food assistance, medication, lab and diagnostic testing, and other social services, further supporting the health and wellness of the 64,000-plus Michiganders each year who rely on resources offered by our safety net partners.

In addition to corporate funding, we believe that being present in the community is just as vital. Through our employee volunteer program, our workforce logs thousands of service hours each year in support of Michigan nonprofit agencies and causes. We also engage in dozens of annual community partnerships to create healthier communities and promote healthy behaviors, and address social determinants of health, such as food insecurity, and having safe places to live, work and participate in physical activity and recreation.

Blue Cross and six other organizations joined the City of Detroit in 2018 to revitalize specific areas of the city. As part of the Detroit Neighborhood Initiative, we contributed $5 million to the Strategic Neighborhood Fund in support of our adopted neighborhoods between East Warren Avenue and Cadieux Street, and we continue to work alongside local partners and organizations to bring inclusive development and even more resources to the area. This past April, Blue Cross and our partners hosted over 500 area kids and their families at a community football camp in east Detroit’s Balduck Park. Local kids learned basic football drills from area youth service coaches, high school players and Detroit Lions’ legends, including Corey Schlesinger, Lomas Brown, Eric Hipple and Eddie Murray. In a day of football-themed play, we promoted the newly renovated park, a sense of community, the importance of staying active and good sportsmanship. We also brought a little bit of the magic of Detroit’s recent NFL Draft to youth in the surrounding area.

Being present in our communities is what brings the spark, plants the seed, conceives the dream, creates impact and makes the big difference. Being ready to help is Blue Cross’ commitment — and I’d suggest, a commitment for all to consider.

About the Author

Ken Hayward is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Vice President of Community Relations and Special Assistant to the President.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is an MMA Premium Associate Member and has been an MMA member company since September 2009. Visit online: bcbsm.com.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.