By Monique Howard
Since 2019, the nonprofit Florida Blue has partnered with Dillard High School through the “Growing Resilient Communities,” initiative, which focuses on the needs of a local high school and how that correlates with the overall betterment of communities.
“Florida Blue sustains the program on an annual basis,” said Cindy Mason, Florida Blue market leader who lends her expertise to the effort that provides unique opportunities for underprivileged youth.
“It allows us to employ students in jobs where they earn income and receive a paycheck every two weeks.”
Recently, Florida Blue further invested in the partnership by remodeling the on-site program workspace. Renovations included new computers, updated signage and interior upgrades to create a more modern and professional learning environment.
“Our goal with that is to create a really inviting workspace for the students—so they can be as excited as you’d want them to be when they go to work,” Mason stated.
The “Growing Resilient Communities,” program provides Dillard High School students opportunities to enroll in paid internships that provide real-life work experience.
Robert S. Levinsky, 12th grade assistant principal at Dillard High School, praised the organization for setting students on the path to career readiness.
“Florida Blue is a phenomenal opportunity for our scholars and a great partnership with the school,” Levinsky exclaims. “The scholars get real world work experience by processing claims and working with customers. They learn invaluable interpersonal skills and gain experience in the workplace.”
The program includes both seniors and juniors, with 12 to 14 students enrolling each school year.
“The goal is to provide them with training in our claims department that is transferable,” Mason said. “It’s a really good on-the-job training opportunity for them. If they choose to continue their career with Florida Blue, there is an option for that—or if they choose to go elsewhere in the field.”
Florida Blue offers support beyond high school, providing Dillard graduates enrolled in college with laptops. Former Dillard High School students are also given the opportunity to work part-time with the organization. After graduating from college, Florida Blue offers opportunities for full-time employment.
“Since we started at the Dillard High School location, we’ve had two students who have gone full circle,” Mason commented. “They started from the very beginning, went to college and graduated, and now they’re full-time hires with the program. They’re actually supporting the on-site location at Dillard High School.”
As the state’s Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, the organization has served communities for 81 years and remains committed to helping Floridians achieve better health.
The “Growing Resilient Communities,” program is part of the broader initiative titled “Partners in Education for Business and Success,” which was created in 1991.
