Thank you Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI!
Thank you Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI for their investment in providing diversity, equity, and inclusion books to children!
Since 2008, Reach Out and Read RI and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI have been partnering to provide new, developmentally-appropriate books to children during their pediatric well-visits. This year, BCBSRI is investing in providing books with diversity, equity and inclusion themes to children who receive care at 8 partnering RORRI healthcare sites in Cranston, Cumberland, Johnston, Lincoln, West Warwick, and Warwick. BCBSRI Employee Business Resource Groups volunteered to review almost 40 children’s books, the majority which are "own voice" (books that feature diverse representation which are written by an author who identifies as that representation). Enthusiastic volunteers were thrilled to read books that they wished they had when they were growing up!
As a follow-up Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island and the BlueAngels volunteers helped label and box over 30 titles of around 2,000 DEI books. 9 out of the 62 partnering RORRI healthcare site will receive between 60 – 750 books, depending on the number of children served. The sites are in Cranston, Cumberland, Johnston, Lincoln, North Providence, West Warwick, and Warwick.
Thank you Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island and BlueAngles for your continued support in helping RORRI make this a world where every child is read to every day!