Arlington Thrive will be kicking into high gear as the Coronavirus pandemic affects more people in the region who depend on hourly wages for income or own small businesses that suffer from lack of clientele. Luckily, just in time for the pandemic, Arlington Thrive recently received the largest private grant ever awarded 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.

As Shandra Niswander, Arlington Thrive’s director of development, and author of the grant request that won the award, said, “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 funding will help Arlington Thrive to provide same-day emergency assistance to an additional 1,400 adults through its Daily Fund Program.

Thrive’s executive director, Andrew Schneider, added, “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.” In the current climate of financial uncertainty, Thrive’s funds will be in demand; on March 16th, Schneider asked those residents who can to donate to Thrive.

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.

Last year, Thrive provided $765,400 in emergency financial assistance across all of its programs and helped 1,419 households (including 2,383 adults and children) stay safe and secure in their jobs, health, and homes. Thrive prevented the eviction of 490 Arlington households and kept 219 households from enduring utility disconnection. To learn more, and donate in, visit www.arlingtonthrive.org