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STUDENTS AT GARY COMER MIDDLE SCHOOL CREATE A CULTURE OF BELONGING AS THEY CELEBRATE NATIONAL NO ONE EATS ALONE® DAY ON FEBRUARY 16

Date: 02/14/24

Local Health Plan Meridian and its Provider-Partners UI Health and Pilsen Wellness Center are Proud to Support the Lunchtime Initiative to Help Students Foster New Connections

 

(CHICAGO, IL) -- Acceptance. Belonging. Connection. These ABCs make schools and communities stronger. That’s why students at Gary Comer Middle School, a Noble School located in the city’s Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood, are participating in National No One Eats Alone® Day. The program, created by the nonprofit Beyond Differences, aims to combat social isolation by helping students get to know one another, creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and accepted for who they are. National No One Eats Alone Day is sponsored by Centene Foundation with local support from Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. (Meridian), a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation.

Meridian will cater a healthy breakfast for the event and its provider-partners, UI Health and Pilsen Wellness Center, will facilitate a nutrition activation and a sound bowl therapy presentation for the students.

When schools sign up for No One Eats Alone, they receive a free Belonging Box with in-class lesson plans on social isolation and actionable steps to cultivate belonging. The Belonging Box also includes a student leadership guide, conversation starters, and supplies to create an art project, helping students nurture connection with their classmates. All student-facing materials are available in both English and Spanish.

“This year’s No One Eats Alone Day theme was inspired by the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on social connection where he spotlights the negative health effects of social isolation and emphasizes that connections need to be nurtured like a garden,” says Laura Talmus, co-founder and executive director of Beyond Differences. “Our curriculum dives deep into recognizing emotions, understanding social isolation, and gives students tools to be social isolation disruptors and ambassadors of belonging.”

“The Centene Foundation is proud to stand with Beyond Differences and support their mission to foster inclusion and empathy among students. The National No One Eats Alone Day initiative reflects our commitment to create compassionate communities where every individual feels valued and included,” stated Dr. Alice Hm Chen, Chief Health Officer (CHO) of Centene Corporation. “Together, with our state health plans, like Meridian, we’re cultivating environments where no one sits alone at school, fostering friendships that transcend differences, and empowering a generation that embraces acceptance and connection.”

“Meridian is honored for the opportunity to partner with Centene Foundation, Beyond Differences, and our local provider partners to cultivate a sense of belonging and provide health awareness resources to Gary Comer Middle School’s students,” said Cristal Gary, Meridian Plan President and CEO. “Jointly we are promoting small actions which over time can generate greater academic, social-emotional, and positive whole-health outcomes for our youth. This initiative further supports Meridian’s uniquely local approach to meet the overall wellness and behavioral health needs of our communities.”

Media outlets are invited to attend No One Eats Alone Day and cover the school-wide event to showcase the celebration of new connections and the cultivation of belonging amongst students grades 6 to 8.

  • What: School staff, representatives from Meridian, UI Health, and Pilsen Wellness Center will facilitate activities for the entire student body on the importance of creating a sense of belonging, nutrition, emotional wellness, and mental health.
  • When: Friday, February 16, 2024, from 8:20 to 9:15 a.m. CT (Breakfast and program)
  • Where: Gary Comer Middle School, 1010 E 72nd St. Chicago Ave, Chicago

Media will have access to talk to the school’s students and Dean of Social Work and Social Emotional Learning, representatives from the local event sponsor, Meridian, and their provider partners, UI Health, and Pilsen Wellness Center. Capturing of b-roll footage is also welcomed, permitting it does not disrupt the school setting.  

Beyond Differences plans to send 2,500 Belonging Boxes to schools in all 50 states, reaching more than a million students on National No One Eats Alone Day. All Belonging Boxes are provided at no charge to schools. For more information, visit nooneeatsalone.org.

About Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc.     

Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. and its family of health plans provide government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex medical needs. This includes Meridian's Medicaid and Medicare-Medicaid plans, and YouthCare HealthChoice Illinois. YouthCare is a specialized program designed to address the healthcare needs of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) youth in out-of-home placement and former foster youth. Meridian connects members to care and offers comprehensive services to support lifelong health and wellness. Meridian is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. Learn more at ILmeridian.com.

About Beyond Differences

Nonprofit Beyond Differences’ mission is to inspire students to end social isolation in middle schools and create a culture of belonging for everyone. Founded in 2010, Beyond Differences has created year-round programs to tackle a wide range of issues that lead to social isolation. When educators register for National Programs -– No One Eats Alone, Know Your Classmates®, Be Kind Online® -- they also get access to Community-Inspired Curriculum written by Beyond Differences’ National Teen Board. These include Queer Visibility, CIRV (Centering Immigrant and Refugee Voices), and Stand Up for AAPI Youth. All curriculum and activity kits are provided free for schools. Currently, more than 10,000 schools use Beyond Differences programs and materials. For more information, visit nooneeatsalone.org.

About Centene Foundation

The Centene Foundation (the "Foundation"), a private nonprofit focused on investing in economically challenged communities, is the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation

("Centene"). The Foundation supports projects and initiatives strategically aligned with Centene's mission-driven culture and enhances the work Centene is doing to remove the barriers to wellness underserved and low-income populations face. The Foundation is committed to addressing social determinants of health and improving health equity in three distinct areas of focus: healthcare access, social services and education. To learn more, visit the Centene Foundation's website.