Skip to Main Content
Ready to renew your Medicaid coverage? Explore our step-by-step guide to Medicaid renewal. Here's how
Ready to renew your Medicaid coverage? Explore our step-by-step guide to Medicaid renewal. Here's how

Batters Up! Chicago Westside Sports Baseball Season Gets Underway with Parade and $135,000 Grant from Meridian Health Plan of Illinois and Centene Foundation

Date: 06/03/24

Grant funds to offer nutritious food to fuel players on and off the field and their families

On June 1, Chicago Westside Police and Youth Sports, administered by City of Refuge - Chicago (City of Refuge), a sport-based youth development and community building program, kicked off its baseball season with a parade in Garfield Park. Meridian Health Plan of Illinois (Meridian) and the Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation, donated 1,500 grocery bags packed full of farm-fresh local produce for this special day. As a part of a new partnership, Meridian and the Centene Foundation are providing a $135,000 grant over three years to equip City of Refuge players with nutritious, protein-rich meals, as part of efforts to address food insecurity and build healthy communities.

1,500 grocery bags packed full of farm-fresh local produce were distributed to event attendees and community members during the event.

“We are delighted to be supporting City of Refuge’s sports program,” said Cristal Gary, Meridian Plan President and CEO. “Meridian invests in the communities we serve so that everyone can have opportunities to live healthy lives. We value our partnership with organizations like City of Refuge that help kids and families have healthier lifestyles including being active, eating well, and making connections with others.”

Chicago Westside Police and Youth Sports is a collaboration between local law enforcement, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations in the Austin, North Austin, East and West Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and Englewood neighborhoods to bring free sports to youth ages 7 to 14 and their families in areas that are disproportionately impacted by violence.

The baseball season runs from May through August at six sites with 350 youth and 65 coaches and mentors. Basketball programming operates at 10 sites with 500 youth and 80 coaches and mentors. Practices occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays with games on Saturdays. At each practice and game, mentoring occurs, and resources are distributed. During the summer months, crime is reduced by almost 50% on practice and game days.

Youth program participants, their coaches and mentors, and program partners kicked off the baseball season with a parade from Garfield Park’s historic golden dome field house.

“It’s much deeper than sports – we provide connection for disconnected youth and their families,” said Stephanie Marquardt, City of Refuge - Chicago Executive Director. “We provide resources, help keep kids busy and off the streets, and develop community. Now as these kids get active on the diamond, we are delighted to have Meridian there with us to supply healthy, nutritious foods.”