CareFirst Contributes $100,000 To Local Summer Camps, Enrichment Programs

As many as 2,500 kids from underserved communities benefit from grant

Baltimore, MD (July 26, 2016) - In response to last year’s unrest in Baltimore City, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) has awarded $100,000 to summer camps and enrichment programs serving Baltimore youth in underserved communities this year.

More than 30 local organizations received funding that will enable as many as 2,500 additional youth to attend a camp or enrichment program this summer. Qualified 501(c)3 organizations offering summer camp and enrichment program services were able to request funding to cover costs associated with camp tuition, staffing or programming.

“CareFirst typically focuses its charitable giving on health related issues and programs, but as an organization headquartered in Baltimore and with so many members and employees in the area, we felt it was important to make this source of funding available this summer,” said Maria Harris Tildon, CareFirst Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Community Affairs.

“The organizations awarded funding represent different regions and populations within the city, and thus reflect programming that meets a wide range of needs facing today’s youth in Baltimore,” said Tildon. “As the region’s largest not-for-profit insurer and one of the Baltimore area’s most generous corporate givers, we believe it is our responsibility to actively contribute to programs and organizations that promote overall wellness for and within our communities.”

The organizations receiving funding are:

  • Access Art Inc.;
  • Afrikan Youth Alchemy;
  • The Arc Baltimore;
  • Baltimore Clayworks;
  • Baltimore Urban Debate League;
  • Banner Neighborhoods Community Corp.;
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore;
  • Camp Farthest Out;
  • Camp Puh'tok For Boys and Girls Inc.;
  • Camp Umoja Inc.;
  • Camp W.A.T.E.R.S.;
  • Casa de Maryland;
  • Code In The Schools;
  • Digital Harbor Foundation Inc.;
  • The Door;
  • Fusion Partnerships;
  • Grace Summer Fun Enrichment Program;
  • Green Street Academy Inc.;
  • Hampden Family Center;
  • Holistic Life Foundation Inc.;
  • Independence Foundation;
  • Newborn Holistic Ministries;
  • Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle;
  • Little Flowers Early Childhood & Development Center;
  • Macedonia Life Community Development Corp.;
  • Parks & People Foundation;
  • Paul’s Place;
  • Sisters Academy of Baltimore;
  • Soccer Without Borders Baltimore;
  • St. Francis;
  • St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore;
  • Walbrook Outreach Resource Development Corporation; and,
  • The Youth Club of Westhills Sarah M. Roach & James Mosher Summer Fun Camps

About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

In its 78th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.4 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2015, CareFirst contributed nearly $40 million to improve overall health, and increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit our website at www.carefirst.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram or Google+.