December 7, 2020
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is aiming to improve community health and help make a positive impact in lives of residents on the West Side of Chicago. Our third Blue Door Neighborhood Center (BDNCSM) in the South Lawndale community is scheduled to begin offering virtual programs on Dec. 7, 2020.
Blue Door Neighborhood Centers are designed to be hubs where the community can learn, connect and focus on their whole person health – which includes tackling the physical, mental, environmental and social factors that can impact wellbeing.
The South Lawndale site, at 2551 W. Cermak Road, will offer services for people whether or not they are a BCBSIL member. Programming will include low-impact fitness, health literacy and classes on topics such as managing diabetes, behavioral health and healthy eating. It will also offer education on how to better use health insurance and connect people to other community resources, as well as feature a meeting room that can be reserved by nonprofit organizations that have missions aligned with the goals of the BDNC.
The first BDNC opened in April 2019 in Pullman. In its first year of operation, the Pullman BDNC had more than 6,000 visitors and collaborated with 55 community-based partner organizations. The second BDNC, a facility combined with employee workspace, opened in August 2020 in Morgan Park. All programming is currently virtual due to COVID-19 safety restrictions. The BDNC team still hosts more than 70 engagement opportunities monthly, continuing to be a resource to the communities they serve.
Learn more at Blue Door Neighborhood Center or check out our Facebook page 
.