Sandy Hook Promise and the Centene Foundation are Partnering to Help More than 1.5 Million Students Nationwide Learn Valuable Skills to Connect with their Classmates.
NEWTOWN, Conn. – February 11, 2025 – Students in thousands of schools across the country will celebrate National No One Eats Alone® Day, a program created by the nonprofit Beyond Differences to end social isolation and help students get to know one another, so that every student feels like they belong. In partnership with the Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), National No One Eats Alone Day is February 14, 2025.
This year, participation was at a record-high with 3,300 schools, reaching more than 1.5 million students. On February 7, No One Eats Alone Day press events took place at schools in New York City and Sacramento, California. Press will be invited to events held at schools in Lake Charles, Louisiana on February 12; in Chicago, New Orleans, and Miami on February 14; and in Cincinnati on February 21.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, social isolation and loneliness put a person at risk of developing serious mental and physical health conditions. The former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has pointed to Beyond Differences and its peer-to-peer support programs that help build connection, self-esteem, and a culture of belonging at schools, which underscores why, each year, schools nationwide and in many countries around the world celebrate National No One Eats Alone Day.
Beyond Differences has been providing free Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum and programs to schools since it was founded in 2010. On September 16, 2024, Beyond Differences became part of Sandy Hook Promise. The integration brings together two youth-centered, national nonprofit organizations with aligned missions and complementary strengths – a win-win for youth across the country.
“Social isolation is a critical warning sign that can precede school shootings and violence,” said Nicole Hockley, co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise. “By encouraging interpersonal connections and empowering students with the knowledge and skills to co-create a positive, welcoming school climate, we can make our schools, homes and communities safer and more supportive for our nation’s youth.”
Participating schools will receive a free Belonging Box, which includes in-class lesson plans on social isolation and actionable steps to cultivate belonging. The Belonging Box also
includes a student leadership guide, conversation starters to help students connect with someone new, and materials for an art project that encourages students to build connections with their classmates. All student-facing materials are available in English and Spanish.
During lunch, students are encouraged to meet someone new and complete a “Hearts and Hands” activity sheet. This interactive art activity prompts students to share unique things about themselves and discover common ground with others. Schools can display the completed sheets in a two-winged mural installation that doubles as a selfie photo opportunity for students.
“We’ve supported National No One Eats Alone Day for years because we know that social isolation significantly impacts a child’s mental health and well-being,” said Centene Foundation President Keith Williamson. “We are proud to provide resources that help students make meaningful connections, creating a positive ripple effect that strengthens relationships and enhances the mental health of the entire school community.”
In 2024, the Centene Foundation registered 443 schools across 12 states to participate in No One Eats Alone. Sandy Hook Promise sent more than 2,600 Belonging Boxes to schools in all 50 states as part of National No One Eats Alone Day. All Belonging Boxes are provided at no charge to schools. For more information, visit nooneeatsalone.org.
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About Centene Foundation
The Centene Foundation (the “Foundation”), a private nonprofit focused on investing in economically challenged communities, is the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) (“Centene”). The Foundation supports projects and initiatives strategically aligned with Centene’s mission-driven culture and enhances the work Centene is doing to remove the barriers to wellness underserved and low-income populations face. The Foundation is committed to addressing social determinants of health and improving health equity in three distinct areas of focus: healthcare access, social services and education. To learn more, visit the Centene Foundation’s website.
About Sandy Hook Promise
Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the life-saving, evidence-informed “Know the Signs” prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
About Beyond Differences
Nonprofit Beyond Differences‘ mission is to inspire students nationwide to end social isolation in middle schools and create a culture of belonging for everyone. Founded in 2010, Beyond Differences is a youth-led social justice movement, empowering students to become activists and change the culture in their schools. Beyond Differences provides Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) tools to disrupt social isolation and change the world, starting with how students treat each other at school and online. Programs include Know Your Classmates®, No One Eats Alone®, and Be Kind Online®. All curriculum and activity kits are provided free for schools. Currently, more than 10,000 schools use Beyond Differences’ programs and materials. Beyond Differences is a part of Sandy Hook Promise.
Media Contact: Barbara Zamost, [email protected], (415) 987-2810
