How BCBSM Makes a Difference in the Lives of the Homeless
Jillian Berndtson
| 2 min read
More than 63,000 people in Michigan are homeless. Twenty percent are chronically homeless, meaning they have been homeless for a period totaling 12 months or longer. While recent efforts to reduce that number have proven successful, there is still plenty of work to do. Being homeless during Michigan’s winter months means freezing temperatures, high winds, low food supply and a general stress on the body. The cold weather weakens the body’s immune system, increasing the likelihood of getting sick. Lack of sleep and malnourishment also wreak havoc on the body. All lead to higher chances of getting sick and are frequently experienced by the homeless population. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is committed to fighting homelessness to help our local communities. Our employees take action around the state to better the lives of the homeless and we provide funding and resources as an organization. The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation awards grants to various shelters and centers that provide care for the homeless. The grants support their efforts to give consistent health care to the homeless and home insecure. BCBSM also funds many Safety Net Clinics around the state to provide free or low-cost care to the uninsured. BCBSM employees also hold various drives throughout the year to combat homelessness. Recently, the Blues community participated in a collection of winter coats, hats, mittens, gloves, scarves and non-perishable food items, which went to various organizations around Michigan. Across the state, our employees serve their communities by partnering with local charities and initiatives to help the homeless and food insecure. Some of our partners include Gleaner’s Food Bank and Coalition on Temporary Shelter. Blues employees also attend events that help the homeless such as the Wayne Metropolitan Project Homeless Connect and Michigan Homelessness Awareness Week. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is proud to support initiatives such as these to help improve the lives of individuals in our local communities. If you liked this post, you may also like:
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Photo credit: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
