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BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Cigna is celebrating its 20^th year working with the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education [ Career Beginnings ]program. Through the program, employees of local businesses mentor high school students from Hartford, Bloomfield, and East Hartford. Cigna supplies more mentors to Career Beginnings than any other company.

"Cigna has been a fantastic ally in our mission to help high school students in urban areas realize the dream of attending college. Many Cigna mentors over the years have established relationships with their students that lasted during and even beyond the college years."

The goal of Career Beginnings is to increase the percentage of Hartford-area students going directly from high school to college, and then on to fulfilling careers. Mentors help students prepare for college, assist them in finding colleges they may want to attend, and coach them through the college application process.

This year, 32 Cigna employees from the companyas Bloomfield global headquarters will mentor 32 students. More than a third of the programas mentors will come from Cigna, bringing the total to more than 300.

aIn 20 years, no other company has come close to supplying the number of mentors as Cigna,a said Martin Estey, executive director of Career Beginnings. aCigna has been a fantastic ally in our mission to help high school students in urban areas realize the dream of attending college. Many Cigna mentors over the years have established relationships with their students that lasted during and even beyond the college years.a

To underscore the importance of this 20-year relationship to Cigna and its people, the Cigna Foundation has committed $10,000 in 2012 specifically targeted to helping Bloomfield High School students and their parents participate in Career Beginnings.

aOur long-term alliance with Career Beginnings is an example of the [ culture of service ] at Cigna,a said Gianna Jackson, executive director of the Cigna Foundation. aOur CEO, [ David Cordani ], has said, aIf youare not finding a way to give back, youare not looking hard enough.a We are proud that our mentors are giving back by guiding young people in a way that will positively affect them for the rest of their lives.a

About Cigna

Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has approximately 70 million customer relationships throughout the world.To learn more about Cigna, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit [ www.cigna.com ].

Cigna Foundation is a private foundation funded by contributions from Cigna Corporation and its subsidiaries. The Cigna Foundation supports organizations sharing its commitment to enhancing the health of individuals and families, and the well-being of their communities, with a special focus on those communities where Cigna employees live and work.