CVS Health & Aetna hosted wellness and nutrition activities for Park Kids after-school program at Fosco Park in the Near West Side community during the check presentation
CHICAGO, IL — Just in time for the start of the Winter Program Session registration on December 1st and 2nd, the Chicago Park District receives a $40,000 grant from CVS Health to help support the Chicago Park District’s Financial Assistance Fund. CVS Health representatives presented Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa with a $40,000 check during a wellness activation at Fosco Park, located at 1312 S. Racine Ave., in Chicago’s Near West Side community on November 5th.
Park Kids after-school program participants engaged in a series of wellness activations focused on inspiring kids to lead healthy, active lives, and made nutritious choices, while learning about healthcare careers during the event in support of the Financial Assistance Fund program. Park Kid participants also received health and fitness kits.
“We are grateful to CVS Health for their generous gift and continued support,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “Their contributions will give over 570 kids an opportunity to engage in recreational and educational activities while enrolled in our park programs across the city. This donation is crucial to leveraging the Park District’s resources and providing access to opportunities for our youth in communities citywide.”
Nearly 30,000 children between the ages of 6 to 12 years old enroll in the Chicago Park District’s Park Kids after-school program and Summer Day Camp Park programs annually. For a reasonable fee, these programs provide kids with safe, supervised spaces to complete homework assignments, and engage in fun, extracurricular activities. One in four Summer Camp and Park Kids participants receive additional financial assistance to enroll in the programs. The Fund provides economic support to kids unable to pay for after-school programming. In 2024, over 4,700 youth benefitted from the Financial Assistance Fund. This year, the Financial Assistance Fund has fundraised $358,000 thanks to support from organizations like CVS Health.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive physically, emotionally and socially.” said Jenny McColloch, VP of Sustainability and Community Impact at CVS Health. “Our collaboration with the Chicago Park District is helping more kids access safe, engaging spaces where they can learn, play, and grow. By investing in programs that promote active living and wellness education, we’re helping to build healthier futures for Chicago’s youth and bringing our commitment to improving community well-being to life.”
This is the third consecutive year that CVS Health & Aetna, a CVS Health company, has partnered with the Park District to help support Chicago kids by boosting the overall impact and reach of the Park District’s Financial Assistance Fund. The $40,000 grant from CVS Health will help support 570 kids participating in Chicago Park District youth programs, including summer day camps. The health company celebrated this year’s contribution with an employee volunteer day at Fosco Park, building on prior years’ celebrations, which included a backpack giveaway at Ellis Park and contributions to the Financial Assistance Fund.
Wellness activations in parks citywide play an integral role in promoting health and wellness by providing Chicagoans with equitable access to resources to allow them to live healthy lifestyles, regardless of identity, income, or neighborhood. Our partnership with CVS Health & Aetna aligns with all three of the Park District’s Health and Wellness Pillars, in particular Promoting Community Wellbeing by connecting community members to programs and resources to elevate their quality of life.
The Park District’s Health and Wellness Pillars include:
• Promoting Community Wellbeing – connecting community members, including Park District employees, to essential programs and resources that advance wellbeing, improve health outcomes, and enhance quality of life.
• Supporting Active Living Through Parks – providing access to spaces to allow Chicagoans to lead active lifestyles.
• Ensuring a Healthy Food Environment – supporting access to healthy food options for those who are food insecure; increasing nutrition education to improve diet quality and reduce chronic disease risk.
Learn more about the Chicago Park District’s Health and Wellness Initiative at chicagoparkdistrict.com/wellness.