HealthMarkets Helps The Community
Enrichment Center

Since 2005, HealthMarkets Companies and its employees have been proud to support the Community Enrichment Center (CEC) in North Richland Hills, TX. The CEC provides programs for homeless families, victims of domestic violence, seniors and single parents in northeast Tarrant County.

In addition to financial support, HealthMarkets holds bi-annual, company-wide food drives in support of the CEC’s Food Pantry that serves the working poor and homeless, as well as the disabled and the elderly in northeast Tarrant County, Texas. In 2008, HealthMarkets donated the equivalent of 48,048 pounds of food; providing a week’s worth of groceries to 800 families in our community.

In 2009, HealthMarkets provided financial support and food items for the following CEC programs:

  • The Adopt-A-Family Program helps working homeless families in Tarrant County. Adopt-A-Family’s goal is to help them become independent and self-sufficient. Families are provided with stable housing and case management services while they learn to manage money and reduce their debt. In 2008, Adopt-A-Family housed more than 300 children and adults. Of the families that graduated last year, 85% found permanent housing and increased their income.
  • The Community Ministries Program oversees the Food Pantry, Senior Network and Single-Parent Family Network and provides food, resource assistance and community building programs to low-income families and seniors.
  • Open Arms is a long-term program serving victims of domestic violence and their children. Families receive safe housing, counseling and group therapy as well as assistance with education and employment. The program’s goal is to help women heal and transition to a healthy life away from violence and abuse. In 2008, Open Arms housed approximately 200 women and children and 100% of program graduates found permanent housing and increased their income.
  • The Food Pantry provides grocery assistance to people living in 15 zip codes in northeast Tarrant County. In 2008 more than 12,000 people received assistance (approximately 700,000 pounds of groceries) from the Food Pantry.
Other notable programs provided by the CEC include:

  • The Senior Network addresses the issue of senior isolation by providing a healthy, fun environment and social network for adults 62 and older.
  • The Single-Parent Family Network provides support and empowerment to divorced, separated, widowed and unwed parents and their children.
  • Literacy for Life helps adults improve their reading skills and prepare for the GED.
  • The CEC’s Resource Room helps people create resumes, search for jobs and gain employment.

For more information on Community Enrichment Center (CEC), please visit www.thecec.org.