Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation and McShin Foundation Expand Support for Virginians in Recovery

Barchart · 10/17 10:23

The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation (Anthem) has provided a $50,000 grant to the McShin Foundation to help increase access to stable housing and peer recovery support services for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs).

“Substance use disorder is a major public health challenge that affects not only the health of individuals, but entire communities,” said Alyssa Ward, Ph.D., LCP, Behavioral Health Director, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “Virginia, like many states, is seeing an increased number of fatal overdoses each year. As part of our purpose to improve the health of humanity, we are proud to support the McShin Foundation in its efforts.”

As the only Recovery Community Organization in Virginia accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Peer Recovery Support Services, McShin Foundation is committed to serving individuals and families in their fight against SUDs. While providing the tools for recovering individuals to create positive lifestyles, they aim to spread the word of recovery and educate families and communities regarding SUDs and the stigma attached to them.

Anthem Foundation’s grant will help McShin provide additional addiction/recovery education and trainings, recurrence of use prevention groups, families & allies meetings, peer staffing, and transportation. It will also support the expansion of their Recovery Wellness Program which includes activities like rock climbing, yoga and art classes with a special focus on moms.

“The Recovery Wellness Program supports healing as a human for longevity of sobriety,” said Honesty Liller, CEO, McShin Foundation. “Supporting participants through their recovery journey, helping them heal from trauma, and showing them how to incorporate health and wellness into their lives is our approach to long-term recovery success.”

In Virginia, 2,575 humans died from overdose in 2022, according to the Virginia Department of Health. McShin Foundation’s same-day access to safe recovery housing & peer recovery support services is crucial.

The Anthem grant is part of its parent Foundation’s $30M commitment to addressing Substance Use Disorder across the country. McShin is one of 77 organizations nationally that is receiving funding.

The grant announcement took place at Mobilize Recovery’s National Bus Tour which stopped at McShin to celebrate with the Richmond recovery community on October 8.

About Anthem Blue Cross Foundation

The Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Association, is a philanthropic arm of the Elevance Health Foundation. The Foundation works to address health equity by focusing on improving the health of the socially vulnerable through strategic partnerships and programs in our communities with an emphasis on maternal child health; mental health; and food as medicine. Additionally, the Foundation also responds to disasters when our communities need us the most. The Foundation coordinates the company’s year-round Dollars for Dollars program which provides a 100 percent match of associates’ donations, as well as its Volunteer Time Off and Dollars for Doers community service programs. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross names and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association. To learn more about the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation and the Elevance Health Foundation, please visit www.elevancehealth.foundation and its blog at www.medium.com/elevancehealthfoundation.

About McShin Foundation

Founded in 2004, The McShin Foundation is Virginia's leading non-profit, full-service Recovery Community Organization (RCO), committed to serving individuals and families in their fight against Substance Use Disorders. While providing the tools for recovering individuals to create positive lifestyles, they aim to spread the word of recovery and educate families, communities, and government regarding SUDs as well as reduce the negative outlook attached to them. They offer a 28-day recovery program, Richmond sober living in recovery houses, and partner with leading physicians for drug & alcohol detox.