HealthMPowers announced a $205,000 gift from UnitedHealthcare, demonstrating their commitment to improving the health of Georgia's middle school-aged girls. This generous contribution will significantly enhance the impact and reach of HealthMPowers’  Girls Empowering Movement (GEM) program. GEM annually reaches thousands of girls across Georgia, focusing on increasing physical activity, developing leadership skills, and mental wellness practices.

The grant was made possible through UnitedHealthcare’s Empowering Health commitment, which focuses on expanding access to care and addressing the social determinants of health for uninsured or underserved individuals.

“We are excited to embark on this new partnership with United Healthcare,” said Jennifer L. Owens, President and CEO of HealthMPowers. “Having their support to improve girls’ overall health with a focus on mental wellness and physical activity will significantly amplify our reach statewide. Together, we will empower even more Georgia girls, fostering their well-being and shaping brighter, healthier futures for our communities.”

Designed by girls for girls, GEM began as a pilot program, and its success has led to partnerships with school systems and other community organizations across the state. GEM is unique in that it focuses on the health and well-being of middle school girls and addresses the barriers to girls' participation in physical activity programs.

"We are thrilled to join forces with HealthMPowers,” said Kirsten Gorsuch, Chief Communications Officer with UnitedHealthcare. “By supporting Georgia’s middle school girls now, we can positively influence healthy behaviors today, and in the future.”

GEM program director Adria Meyer has seen firsthand how GEM girls have thrived because of their participation in the program. “GEM allows us to focus on girl empowerment, resiliency, self-awareness, and physical activity in a safe girls-only space,” said Meyer. “By empowering girls to be leaders in physical activity and mental wellness, regardless of skill level, we are teaching them to be agents of change in their schools and communities.”