Supporting Small Business Creation and Workforce Training

Economic inclusion means that everyone can achieve economic stability. Economic stability means a combination of income and assets that allows a person to meet their basic needs and maintain a stable quality of life in which they feel comfortable and safe. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) is committed to addressing economic stability—perhaps one of the most important predictors of health outcomes. The poorest people in our society live shorter lives and are sicker throughout their lives. Poverty and economic instability create circumstances that make people sick, while also limiting access to healthcare. Communities with fewer resources are more likely to have unsafe housing and less likely to have access to healthy food and green space or exercise facilities, while also being disproportionately being affected by urban blight and violence.

How We Provided Support

COVID has had profound economic impacts and the most vulnerable were faced with food insecurity, housing insecurity and not being able to keep the lights on. While things may have felt like they were going back to normal for some, economic impacts of the pandemic continue to affect our communities. We invested in programs providing emergency support to provide food, housing (shelters and services to avoid eviction and foreclosure) and connect community members to services. Grants awarded to these organizations address housing, food and utility assistance for urban and rural communities, workforce and small business development, and more.

Grantee Spotlight

End Hunger in Calvert County

CareFirst awarded a grant to our community partner, End Hunger in Calvert County, to address one of the most basic needs of our neighbors: having enough to eat. End Hunger in Calvert County partnered with 72 organizations across Southern Maryland to provide community members with food and resources to minimize food insecurity.

During the grant period, 25,000 neighbors were provided with assistance and over one million meals were provided to meet the immediate need.

Associated Charities of Cumberland

In Western Maryland, CareFirst partnered with Associated Charities of Cumberland to provide vital assistance for families struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Associated Charities focused on meeting the immediate needs of community members adversely affected by the pandemic, many of whom were struggling to put food on the table and remain in their homes.

Through this partnership, Associated Charities was able to serve nearly 700 families by assisting with costs for prescription medication, rent and food.

Read our complete 2021 Community Impact Report.