CHICAGO, Nov. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) awarded $30,000 to Mano a Mano Family Resource Center to help contribute to their mission to empower immigrant and underserved families of Lake County. The grant provides much-needed resources for quality programs and services.

“This grassroots approach (like Mano a Mano’s) ensures that services are meaningful and effective for the communities it serves,” said Clarita Santos Senior Director of Community Health Initiatives. “Grants like these are one way BCBSIL works to form community partnerships.”

The grant from BCBSIL will help support the continued efforts of Mano a Mano’s Healthy Families Program, which educates individuals and families about health topics and understanding how to live a healthier lifestyle. Topics include nutrition, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, women’s health, cancer, depression, dental health, and assistance in enrolling for state and federal health benefits. 

“The investment from BCBSIL and other partners enables us to reach the most vulnerable in our communities and provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services and resources,” says Mano a Mano Executive Director Megan McKenna de Mejia. “Our partnership with BCBSIL is key to realizing our vision of a healthy and sustainable community.” 

Since opening its doors in 2000, Mano a Mano has demonstrated success in implementing other valuable programs:

• Citizenship classes to learn about the citizenship process and prepare for the written civics exam on US history and government.
• Community school for parents where adults can take classes for English as a second language, GED, computer literacy education.
• Employment connection
• Kindergarten readiness
• On location daycare to help care for children while parents focus on their classes. 

Resources provided by Mano a Mano are free of charge and its goal is to help families improve their quality of life while making a smooth transition into a community without the loss of their cultural identities.