Guest Commentator: Lorina Marshall-Blake, Vice President, Government Affairs, Independence Blue Cross and President, Independence Blue Cross Foundation @IBX @ibxfdn
Why is it important that businesses support early childhood literacy?
At Independence Blue Cross, we recognize that addressing early childhood literacy is critical to putting students on the pathway to a successful education. We also know that supporting education can help reduce the cycle of poverty in our region and provide children the resources and confidence they need to grow into productive, contributing citizens and leaders.
I am privileged to participate in the Chamber’s annual Read to Me program and grateful to give back not only on this day, but throughout the year in support of early childhood literacy initiatives. This commitment is shared by many Independence employees who volunteer for a variety of organizations and causes dedicated to improving early childhood literacy. In 2019, members of our corporate volunteer program, the Blue Crew, donated over 3,300 hours in support of 45 volunteer projects focused on education and literacy. The in-kind value of the volunteer time in 2019 totaled more than $85,000.
Independence employees are especially committed to our longstanding early childhood literacy partnership with Achieve Now (formerly Philadelphia Reads). For more than 25 years, our Blue Crew volunteers have supported this program, providing weekly one-on-one literacy coaching to grade school students at Isaac A. Sheppard Elementary. These special relationships benefit both the students and our volunteers, who are rewarded by seeing their efforts inspire a lifelong love for reading and learning. Through programs such as this, our employees truly live our mission to enhance the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
