Embright Education has been awarded a grant of $102,906 from The Cigna Group Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), to help address the youth mental health crisis. The primary objectives of this program include: ● Expand Embright Education’s curriculum to all first and second grade classrooms in Trenton Public Schools, reaching 2,200 children. ● Strengthen youth resilience, emotional regulation, and social connectedness through research-backed, culturally responsive social-emotional learning lessons. ● Reduce inequities in youth mental health by delivering consistent, accessible programming for children impacted by poverty, stress, and trauma. “With this generous grant from The Cigna Group Foundation, we will be able to positively impact youth in this community through programs that empower children with resilience-focused tools for emotional regulation, assertiveness, positive peer relationships, and healthy decision-making so they may reach their full potential,” said Jessica Nitti, Executive Director of Embright Education. “We are grateful to have The Cigna Group Foundation’s support in advancing Embright’s mission.” “Local nonprofits continue to be a tremendous source of support for kids and teens grappling with mental health issues, and we are thrilled to team up with Embright Education to advance their program of supporting students by fostering social-emotional skills that will help with post-pandemic stress among youth,” said Melissa Skottegaard, board chair, The Cigna Group Foundation. “The youth mental health crisis continues to weigh heavily on our communities, and it is our privilege to partner with trusted nonprofits to continue this important work.” According to an analysis by The Cigna Group’s Evernorth Research Institute, the number of young people with mental health conditions has increased 28% since 2018, and the number of young people with at least two mental health diagnoses has risen 48% over the same period. Inadequate levels of social and emotional functioning are increasingly recognized as central to many public health problems, and more than two out of three children and adolescents experience trauma by age 16. The Cigna Group Foundation has a long history of impactful nonprofit support, and in 2024 announced a philanthropic and community engagement initiative committing more than $27 million in grants over three years to nonprofit organizations focused on improving youth mental health, improving veteran mental health, and reducing barriers to health equity. ********** Tracey Destribats, private eye. That’s the punchline to this article. Now, walk back with me, please. Destribats stood in her Eet Gud Bakery and delivered this promise after someone broke into her store early Sunday morning. The burglar made off with a small amount of cash. “I’m going to look at every part of the video and try to find out as much as I can. Yeah, I’m going to put on my detective hat. I promised myself to not lose control about this because I’ve been through worse situations. But I am angry,” Destribats admitted. While Eet Gud bakery, established in 1928 by the Gorish family and purchased by Destribats in 2018 lists in Hamilton, the family compound remains in Trenton. Destribats already holds numerous identifications as an education advocate, board member of Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, philanthropist, and business owner. *********** As tributes continue for Rob Reiner, local residents should know he left his mark on Trenton and New Jersey as a staunch advocate for early childhood education. In October 1997, Reiner joined New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman to launch a $100 million comprehensive early childhood education care education initiative. Whitman acknowledged Reiner with this social media post. “While #RobReiner was obviously an amazing director, people may not realize what an impact he had as a humanitarian. He presented his Zero to Three program at the NGA, and I asked him to come to NJ where we later instituted it.” Reiner supported a community-based initiative called Family and Children Early Education Services program (FACES) which sought to ensure every child under the age of six and his or her family has access to early childhood services critical to health and development. L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at [email protected]. ...read more read less