Atlanta Victim Assistance (AVA) has been selected to receive funding from The Cigna Group Foundation’s 2026 Improving Youth Mental Health grant program. The support will allow AVA to expand its Safety 1st program, reaching more Atlanta students and families with trauma-informed resources designed to promote emotional well-being and help prevent future violence.
Safety 1st is a school-based violence prevention program serving youth and families in Atlanta communities disproportionately impacted by violence and limited access to mental health resources. With support from The Cigna Group Foundation, AVA will add a second Safety 1st cohort at Maynard Jackson High School and Carver STEAM Academy, increasing access to the program during the school day.
“We are incredibly grateful to The Cigna Group Foundation for investing in our young people and recognizing the importance of reaching them early with the tools and support they need,” said Shontel Brunson-Wright, Executive Director of Atlanta Victim Assistance. “Many of the students we serve have experienced violence firsthand or have seen its effects on their families and communities. This support allows us to reach more students while also engaging their families in creating a stronger foundation for healing and healthy relationships.”
Through structured, evidence-informed group sessions, Safety 1st helps students develop healthy coping strategies, strengthen conflict resolution skills and learn how to build safe, healthy relationships. The program also includes meetings with parents and caregivers to strengthen trauma-informed parenting practices and help families reinforce healing at home.
This dual-generation approach is an important component of Safety 1st. By supporting both young people and the adults who care for them, AVA seeks to improve emotional regulation, strengthen understanding of healthy relationships and increase young people’s confidence in seeking help when they need it. Caregivers also gain a greater understanding of trauma and strategies for supporting their children’s emotional and mental health needs.
Delivering Safety 1st during the school day helps remove barriers such as transportation and makes support more accessible to students who may otherwise have difficulty accessing these resources.
“Supporting youth mental health requires a collective effort, and strong community partners play a vital role,” said Sara Quist, President, The Cigna Group Foundation. “Organizations like Atlanta Victim Assistance are helping young people and families access trusted support, build meaningful connections, and develop the tools they need to thrive.”
AVA is one of 22 nonprofits selected for The Cigna Group Foundation’s 2026 Improving Youth Mental Health grant program. The initiative is part of the Foundation’s three-year, $9 million commitment to support nonprofit organizations helping young people, families, caregivers and youth-serving professionals build stronger foundations for mental health and well-being.
For AVA, the investment builds on its ongoing work with Atlanta schools, law enforcement and community partners to reach young people affected by violence and provide support that can make a difference now and into the future.
Click here to read the announcement including the complete list of grant recipients. More information on The Cigna Group Foundation’s commitment to improving youth mental health can be found here.
Learn more about AVA’s Safety 1st program at www.atlantava.org/programs-services/safety-1st.
