Recognizing that mentors can positively influence at-risk children, WellCare of Georgia, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc., announced it invested $2,500 in The Dukes Foundation, an Atlanta youth mentoring service organization, to support its Youth Mentoring Wellness & Health program.  

Research shows that mentoring is correlated with positive outcomes, including changing attitudes, better behavior, and higher academic performance and educational aspirations.

The Youth Mentoring Wellness & Health program, which will educate and inspire children to eat healthier, is included in the Dukes Foundation's mentoring curriculum. Other areas of the mentoring curriculum include enhancing academic attitude and performance, providing peer and social skills, developing and mentoring lifelong learners, cultivating personal growth and creativity, providing opportunities for leadership and community services, and nourishing psychological and physical wellness.

"One out of three children and adolescents in the U.S. is overweight or obese and lacks good oral health care putting them at risk for serious health problems," said Horace Dukes, CEO of The Dukes Foundation. "Educating and inspiring our youth to develop lifelong, healthy habits are at the core of what we aim to do through this program. We thank WellCare of Georgia for supporting our efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children."

"WellCare of Georgia realizes that the social safety net is critical to obtaining positive health outcomes for our members and those who live in their communities," said Veatrice Futch, supervisor of community advocacy, WellCare of Georgia. "The Dukes Foundation's wellness and health program is a worthy community investment that can bring measurable improvements to the health and well-being of children."