Today, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), one of the country's largest not-for-profit healthcare organizations, and the Baltimore Ravens announce Roberta's House as the latest recipient of their joint grant program, Huddle Up for Health.
Out of a pool of more than 80 applicants, Roberta's House was chosen for its commitment to providing trauma-informed care, support and services to those navigating the complexities of grief and loss. The Roberta's House approach to treating grief as a public health issue is aligned with Huddle Up for Health's vision of lifting up organizations that address public health issues to achieve health equity.
"Grief and loss go so far beyond any inciting incident or challenge individuals face," Aneesha Scott, LCSW-C, LICSW, Behavioral Health Program Clinical Director, said. "Particularly with the population that seeks Roberta's House services, we recognize and respond to the interplay between systemic inequalities, historical traumas and mental health challenges that contribute to an ability to heal. We are so grateful to CareFirst and the Ravens for recognizing the importance of our work and choosing Roberta's House as this year's Huddle up for Health's grant recipient."
Roberta's House provides culturally sensitive and inclusive services for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) at all ages. They seek to center these voices in all they do and meet individuals and communities to foster healing, empowerment and resiliency.
The $50,000 Huddle Up for Health grant supports Roberta's House behavioral health programs in Baltimore City and across Maryland. The funds will go towards free counseling services where licensed clinicians diagnose and treat mental health disorders, lead peer support groups and provide trauma-informed care training and intervention in the community. Additionally, a portion of the funds will be allocated for staffing and facilitating vital support groups for Men of Loyalty and Dignity (MOLD) to ensure that participants receive high-quality support, guidance and mentorship tailored to their unique needs and experiences.
"We break down barriers to good health by harnessing the power of our strategic partnerships to provide comprehensive care tailored to our community's unique needs," Mack McGee, Chief Marketing Officer at CareFirst, said. "Roberta's House stands out for its deep understanding of the diverse experiences within our communities, offering support that truly makes a difference. We are proud to partner with such a passionate and impactful organization."
"Our organization is and always will be deeply invested in the Baltimore community, and that includes supporting organizations doing great work for those who live and work in it," Ravens Vice President of Community Relations and Executive Director of the Ravens Foundation, Heather Darney, said. "Roberta's House is a wonderful resource to the men, women, children and families looking to overcome loss and grief within a system not designed to make it easy for them to do so successfully. We are honored they are this year's recipient."
Designed to provide awareness and support to the community by addressing health disparities, Huddle Up for Health continues community wellness and health equity initiatives established by CareFirst and the Ravens, while broadening the focus to include other health challenges individuals face throughout Maryland.
When CareFirst and the Ravens began their partnership in 2003, they pledged to combine their strength, expertise and resources to support communities throughout the state of Maryland.
Huddle Up for Health notably encompasses the ongoing "Fresh Food Mobile" initiative that started in 2019. Stemming from a concerning level of food insecurity challenges in Maryland, the Fresh Food Mobile has facilitated ease of access to food and services offered through the Maryland Food Bank's support programs, including the school-based Pantry-on-the-Go program. Since its creation, the Fresh Food Mobile has delivered over 320,000 total meals to individuals in need.
In 2023, CareFirst and the Ravens announced Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing as the first Huddle Up for Health grant for Maryland-based mental health nonprofits. Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing focuses on supporting youth through mentorship to self-manage their emotional, behavioral, physical and medical regulation. Since receiving this grant, the organization has been able to advance initiatives in support of youth recovery and establish a care transition program that help youth achieve success as rejoined members of the community and redefine their future.
To stay up to date on Huddle Up for Health and learn more about the Ravens' community initiatives and involvement, visit www.baltimoreravens.com/community. For more information on CareFirst's community initiatives, visit www.carefirst.com/community.
Contact: Media Relations
1-800-914-NEWS (6397)
mediarelations@carefirst.com
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About the Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are one of six NFL franchises to win multiple Super Bowls since the turn of the century. Under head coach John Harbaugh, who arrived in 2008, Baltimore has posted the NFL's third-most total victories (172), won the league's fourth-most playoff games (12, tied), advanced to an impressive four AFC Championship contests, and in 2012, captured the World Championship in Super Bowl XLVII. The Ravens, who also won Super Bowl XXXV during the 2000 campaign, have made the playoffs in 11 of the past 16 seasons, producing five AFC North Division titles during this time (2011, 2012, 2018, 2019 & 2023).
Our mission is to win football games, serve our fans and be a positive force in our community.
About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
In its 87th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit healthcare company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.5 million individuals in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2023, CareFirst infused $233 million in support of regional community impact to improve overall health and advance accessible, affordable, equitable, high-quality healthcare. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit www.carefirst.com.
About Roberta's House
Roberta's House, a 501c3 nonprofit family grief support center, was founded in 2007 by the March Family to address the high risk of children in Baltimore City developing maladaptive and violent coping behaviors after a death. Roberta's House offers comprehensive bereavement support programs. Roberta's House is the only organization of its kind, providing free bereavement support for the entire family system. With a professional staff of 21 and more than 500 trained volunteers, Roberta's House offers trauma-informed care that uniquely supports the grieving process and helps children and families cope with loss. Roberta's House has provided services to over 8,000 children and adults. Roberta's House is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the public to perform its mission.
