Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) has selected early education and youth development center Phoenix Day as the recipient of a technology sponsorship. This donation celebrates BCBSAZ’s 75th anniversary statewide outreach campaign, “Arizonans First. Always.,” and commemorates Phoenix Day’s 100th anniversary next year.
Phoenix Day helps improve school performance and introduces exciting career choices to at-risk youth from lower income families who reside in the Central Park neighborhood of South Phoenix. The BCBSAZ technology sponsorship includes providing 12 new computers, a charging station, WiFi, tables, chairs and educational software for the Phoenix Day computer lab. The computer lab will be used for Phoenix Day’s Summer Youth Enrichment Program and by students throughout the year during its Afterschool Program. The computer lab supports the development of language, science, technology, engineering and math skills that are aligned with the Arizona Department of Education’s CORE standards.
“Our year-long outreach campaign is a wonderful way to pay tribute to the diversity of our state and the array of organizations that leave a lasting impact on those they serve,” said Rich Boals, president and CEO. “Phoenix Day is the only academically focused program of its kind in this area of Maricopa County and we are honored to support such an incredible organization.”
“We are so grateful for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona’s support of Phoenix Day. Providing access to a computer lab outside of school hours enriches and builds upon knowledge gained in the classroom, especially for students who may not have access to technology at home,” said Karyn Parker, Executive Director, Phoenix Day.
“This is particularly important for today’s youth as they are preparing to compete in a society driven by scientific and technological innovations. Long term, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona’s contribution will support a more educated workforce prepared to compete in the global market.”
In addition to the Phoenix Day sponsorship, BCBSAZ participated in the HandsOn Greater Phoenix Serve A Thon on April 28, which involved a variety of community service projects across Maricopa County. A total of 57 BCBSAZ employees volunteered for activities including painting animal-themed murals and assembling animal beds at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, painting the interior of a group home for disabled individuals with VALLEYLIFE, and gardening at Faith United Methodist Church’s West Alice Community Garden.
The BCBSAZ statewide corporate outreach campaign kicked off in March with Pima County. Following Maricopa County, Santa Cruz and Cochise are the next counties to take part in the celebration. To learn more about BCBSAZ and its 75 years in Arizona, visit azblue.com/birthday.
