Molina Healthcare of South Carolina and Big Brothers Big Sisters Partner to Provide New Shoes for Elementary Students
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., Oct. 26, 2024 – Molina Healthcare of South Carolina (“Molina”), in collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry, (”BBSL”) and the Charleston County School District Department of Federal Programs’ McKinney-Vento Office, distributed 120 pairs of new shoes and socks to second and third grade students attending Chicora Elementary School. Molina provided the shoes in recognition of National Make a Difference Day, the largest day of community service in the country.
Nearly half of the students in the Charleston County School District (46.2%) live below the poverty line. Some students receiving the shoes and socks are homeless and part of the district’s McKinney-Vento program.
“No child should face a day at school without adequate and clean footwear and Molina is pleased to provide Chicora Elementary School students with these essentials,” said Dora Wilson, plan president for Molina Healthcare of South Carolina.
“Recognizing the needs of our students makes a lasting impact and can be life-changing for many, and Molina has shown its commitment to making a positive difference,” said Monica Smalls, principal of Chicora Elementary.
BBBSL hosted the event, and its representatives were on hand to speak to Chicora Elementary parents and caregivers about the organization’s youth mentoring programs. Research points to the many benefits of mentoring for young people, including better attitudes about school, healthier relationships and lifestyles choice, enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence, and stronger relationships with parents, teachers and peers.
“We are delighted to partner with Molina Healthcare and Chicora Elementary for ‘Make a Difference Day,” said Merridith Crowe, CEO of BBBSL. “Our young neighbors deserve to have a robust team of adults around them as they work to realize their innate greatness. When children have the support of their community and have dedicated mentors at their side, they learn they matter, they belong, and they can dream big.”
About Molina Healthcare of South Carolina
Molina Healthcare of South Carolina has been providing government-funded health care since 2013. The Company serves members through Medicaid, Marketplace, Medicare, and Medicare-Medicaid (Duals) health programs throughout South Carolina. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare of South Carolina, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry (BBBSL) works with parents, guardians and volunteers to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Using a nationally recognized, evidence‐ and outcomes‐based model, BBBSL mentoring relationships protect and foster scholastic achievement, healthy peer-to-peer/family relationships, avoidance of risky behaviors and strong self‐concept among children served.