City Springs Students Buckle Up For A Bright Future
Learn how CareFirst’s support for this Baltimore school is making a big impact
Sarah Wolf, Media & Community Relations
In East Baltimore, it is hard to miss all of the purple surrounding City Springs Elementary/Middle School. Three sets of double doors at the main entrance, murals covering the brick façade, 700 students all in purple polos, and of course, that vibrant AstroTurf athletic complex, recognizable to anyone who has passed by.
But City Springs’ students and staff would be the first ones to remind you of their motto: “It’s not a color. It’s an attitude!”
It was that attitude – which allows students to experience the joy of learning and recognizes that the investment we place in young people is paramount to our shared future success – that forged a partnership between CareFirst and City Springs in 2012.
“As a major business headquartered in Baltimore, we sought to identify a meaningful way to support a local school,” said Maria Harris Tildon, CareFirst Executive Vice President of Marketing, Communications and External Affairs. “We were excited to be connected to City Springs – a neighbor to our Canton offices – where we work closely to identify and fill gaps critical to the success of students and teachers.”
The partnership with City Springs includes on-going volunteer opportunities for CareFirst associates, many of whom participate in school beautification events, one-on-one mentoring, and the collection and donation of educational books and clothing essentials. It also includes financial assistance for additional resources and expanded programming.
Most recently, CareFirst provided a $17,000 grant to City Springs that allowed the school to purchase a 15-passenger van in December 2018.
These funds were in addition to $25,000 the school received during an episode of The Ellen Show in late-2017. The episode featured City Springs teacher Wyatt Oroke and his inspiring work on behalf of his students, who surprised him via video conference for the announcement of the gift.
The van made more than 20 trips in the beginning of 2019, taking students to universities, theatrical productions and other culturally enriching events they may not have otherwise had the opportunity to attend.
Watch: City Springs Principal Rhonda Richetta on the school's recent purchase of a 15-passenger van.
Over the lifetime of the partnership with City Springs, CareFirst has offered support for a variety of resources, continuously collaborating with school staff and City Springs Principal Rhonda Richetta to determine what would make the greatest impact for students.
“That has included support for initiatives such as restorative justice training to lower suspension rates, providing iPads to improve test-taking aptitude, and continuous mentoring and empowerment through programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters’ ‘Bigs in Schools’ and Girls on the Run,” Tildon said.
And seven years later, CareFirst has contributed more than $450,000 to programs and resources benefiting more than 4,000 students who have attended City Springs over that time.
With 450 miles already on the odometer and many more trips to come, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see the school’s new van coated in City Springs purple, taking eager students to new and exciting opportunities in Baltimore and beyond.