Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Joins My Block, My Hood, My City to Strengthen Chicago’s Southside

CHICAGO - For 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has helped individuals and families access quality health care while investing in healthier, stronger communities. Celebrating its 90th anniversary and the employees who bring its culture of caring to life, more than 60 BCBSIL volunteers partnerned with My Block, My Hood, My City and We Sow We Grow to support neighborhood beautification efforts on Chicago's Southside. They helped maintain and revitalize community garden beds, expanding access to green spaces and gathering places.

The volunteer project builds on a longstanding partnership between BCBSIL and My Block, My Hood, My City, a Chicago nonprofit dedicated to inspiring youth, strengthening communities and creating opportunities that inspire residents to explore and invest in the city.

Over the years, BCBSIL has invested more than $500,000 to support My Block, My Hood, My City's mission and community programs. The company continues to build on a legacy of community investment and employee volunteerism aimed at creating stronger, healthier neighborhoods statewide.

"Strong communities are built through both investment and action," said BCBSIL President Brian Snell. "As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, we're proud to support My Block, My Hood, My City's work year round and to contribute to a project that will have a lasting impact on the neighborhood."

Volunteers helped clean up trash and weeds and restore garden beds installed during an Earth Day initiative led by My Block, My Hood, My City and We Sow We Grow. These spaces serve as community assets that promote neighborhood pride, beautification and connection among residents.

Founded in 2015, My Block, My Hood, My City has become a driving force for change across Chicago, connecting young people to opportunities while investing in their neighborhoods. Through programs focused on education, community engagement and service, the organization creates paths for residents to learn, grow and lead.

"The health of a community is about more than hospitals. It's about having safe blocks, green spaces and access to opportunity," said the organization's founder and CEO Jahmal Cole. "We're grateful for partners like BCBSIL who understand that real change happens when organizations stop talking about communities and start showing up in them - not just with funding, but with people willing to get their hands dirty and build relationships."

The event provided BCBSIL an opportunity to engage with the communities they serve while helping strengthen Chicago neighborhoods through collaboration, investment and service, a reflection of BCBSIL's commitment to helping Illinois communities thrive.

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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is the largest health insurer in Illinois, serving nine million members and
operating in all 102 Illinois counties. BCBSIL is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal
Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Learn more at
bcbsil.com and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

About My Block, My Hood, My City:
My Block, My Hood, My City provides youth and communities with opportunities for exploration, education, and
service, helping foster pride and ownership in their neighborhoods. Through engagement, resources, and
hands-on support, the organization empowers residents to build stronger and more connected communities
across Chicago.