Tampa YMCA Expands Emotional Well-Being Programs with Cigna Group Foundation Grant

Supporting youth mental health is a key focus of our strategic plan, and this October, as we recognized World Mental Health Day on October 10, we’re proud to share another meaningful step forward. Thanks to a generous $101,000 grant from The Cigna Group Foundation, the Tampa Y is deepening its commitment to the emotional well-being of children and teens in our community.

This new funding will strengthen our Before and After School Enrichment (BASE) programs, equipping staff and students with the tools they need to better navigate today’s youth mental health challenges.

So, what does this mean for the kids and families in our community? With the help of The Cigna Group Foundation, we will:

• Train BASE staff in Youth Mental Health First Aid so they can recognize and respond to signs of emotional distress.

• Integrate research-based social-emotional learning through the Second Step® curriculum.

• Provide calming kits at every BASE site, offering stress-relief tools like fidgets, breathing exercises and mindfulness activities.

• Build stronger, more empathetic environments where kids feel safe, connected and supported.

“With this generous support from The Cigna Group Foundation, the Y can help kids build resilience, practice healthy coping skills and thrive emotionally, both in and out of the classroom,” said Hilary Bolt, Executive Director of Before and After School Enrichment Programs at the Tampa YMCA.

This partnership couldn’t come at a more critical time. According to The Cigna Group’s Evernorth Research Institute, the number of young people diagnosed with mental health conditions has increased 28% since 2018. Nearly 70% of children and teens experience trauma by age 16, highlighting the need for proactive, accessible mental health support.