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Baltimore, MD (January 15, 2009) — Nehemiah House, a transitional housing facility and emergency homeless shelter in Baltimore County, is teaming with not-for-profit health insurer CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) to provide 500 health and hygiene packages to Nehemiah House clients.  CareFirst is contributing $13,500 to fund the program.  Nehemiah House will supply their clients with the packages to help prevent disease and maintain good health. 

"Support from CareFirst will add to the services offered to the 250-plus adult homeless men who come to Nehemiah House on an annual basis," said Brian Smith, Executive Director for Nehemiah House.  Nehemiah House is a 50-bed facility that operates the only emergency and transitional shelter in Baltimore County for homeless men.  Men may be veterans, chronically homeless, substance abusers, disabled, or simply need shelter and an opportunity to secure a job. The grant from CareFirst adds to our services by giving clients much needed personal care and hygiene items and to offer clients assistance with prescriptions who are unable to pay for them." 

More than 8,000 men have received aid from Nehemiah House since the program began in 1991. Clients are encouraged to stay from one day to one year, depending on their willingness to break the homeless cycle.  The CareFirst grant will be used to purchase items such as new shirts, socks, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste and combs, as well as to subsidize prescription assistance for the men. 

Maria Harris Tildon, CareFirst Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Community Affairs, explained, "The homeless are a significant portion of the uninsured population in need of help in Baltimore County.  Providing opportunities for these men to prevent illness and keep conditions more easily treatable is an important service.  During this tough economic time organizations such as Nehemiah House, that dedicate their mission to our community's less fortunate, are laudable in their efforts." 

In its 71st year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care organization which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.3 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia.  Through its CareFirst Commitment initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst supports efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas.

Contacts:
Christopher Snyder, 410-882-2217 (Nehemiah House)
Kevin Kane, 410-998-5822 (CareFirst)

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