Arlington Thrive’s grant from CareFirst provides emergency assistance to Arlington’s most vulnerable residents
Arlington Thrive is pleased to announce the largest private grant ever awarded in its history from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst). The $60,000 grant will be used to provide emergency funding for Arlington County residents in need of critical prescription medicines as well as dental and medical care.
Shandra Niswander, Arlington Thrive’s Director of Development explained, “It’s an honor to partner with CareFirst and address these critical emergency needs in our community during these uncertain times. This emergency medical assistance will ensure our most vulnerable neighbors can remain secure in their jobs, health, and homes and thrive.
The grant funding will enable Arlington Thrive to provide same-day emergency medical, dental, and prescription assistance to an additional 1,400 adults through its Daily Fund Program. Executive Director Andrew Schneider noted, “The Daily Fund Program was Arlington Thrive’s first program and continues to be its flagship program. The goal of this program is to prevent eviction, job loss due to untreated medical conditions, and other catastrophes by providing critical same-day emergency financial assistance to County residents who cannot pay for their basic needs.”
CareFirst is the region’s largest not-for-profit healthcare company and provided funding to 341 nonprofit organizations in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia communities totaling $43 million dollars in 2019. CareFirst’s community giving strategy funds innovative programs working to improve health care delivery systems, promote change on broad health initiatives, address health care disparities that target high-risk populations, and improve the overall, long-term health in these communities. In 2019, key areas of focus and funding for CareFirst were maternal and child health, safety net health services, and behavioral health care needs. “As a not-for-profit company, CareFirst is dedicated to improving access to healthcare for individuals and families throughout our service areas, including those who live, work, play and seek care in Northern Virginia, Jeanine Finch, Community Affairs Liaison for Northern Virginia at CareFirst noted, “We are proud to support Arlington Thrive and help remove some of the financial barriers to care for Arlington residents so that they can continue to thrive in their jobs, health and homes.”
Arlington Thrive delivers same-day emergency funds to our neighbors in crisis, so they can be secure in their jobs, health, and homes and thrive in a caring community. Our vision is an Arlington community where all have homes, are financially stable, and thrive. Last year, Thrive provided $765,400 in emergency financial assistance across all of our programs and helped 1,419 households (including 2,383 adults and children) stay safe and secure in their jobs, health, and homes and thrive. Thrive prevented the eviction of 490 Arlington households and kept 219 households from enduring utility disconnection. To learn more, visit www.arlingtonthrive.org
