CareSource Awards $15,000 Based on Employee Votes

Recipients Include Beautiful As You Are (B.A.Y.A.), Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and Racial Justice NOW!​

(DAYTON, Ohio – July 14, 2020) –CareSource proudly announced Tuesday the winners of the People's Choice Awards. People’s Choice is a quarterly opportunity for 4,400+ CareSource employees to nominate and select their favorite nonprofits according to a focus area or theme. Beautiful As You Are (B.A.Y.A.), Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and Racial Justice NOW! Were all named as winners in the Human Rights, Social Justice and Peace theme.

“We believe CareSource employees deserve a voice and a vote on which organizations receive life-changing awards to further their work on human rights, social justice and the promotion of peace​,” said Jennifer Dougherty, SVP of Human Resources, CareSource. “Our community partnerships and employee involvement lead to incredible positive change in our communities.”

CareSource employees selected B.A.Y.A. as the recipient of a $10,000 award. The funding will enhance their current programming to incorporate workshops that help to bridge the racial divide and enable them to develop effective solutions to the social injustices experienced in the Louisville, Kentucky area and southern Indiana communities. These workshops will focus on career development to eradicate poverty, community service to help decrease racial prejudice and increase racial community unity and positive coping techniques to handle outside negative influences.

“The B.A.Y.A. Beautiful as You Are program is grateful and so honored to be chosen for this amazing award. The award means we can continue to be a safe place for girls of all ages and races to come and share their struggles, feelings and find healing for their mind, body and soul,” said Tanisha Frederick, Founder and Executive Director of B.A.Y.A. “With all the unrest surrounding our youth, we must work together to make real change. The funding received from the CareSource People's Choice Award guarantees our success and will allow us to make a major impact on those in our program, their families and the surrounding communities.”

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland was awarded $2,500 as a runner up. The award will support no-cost services to clients, effectively leveling the legal playing field by giving a voice to the voiceless. In the U.S. individuals and families in poverty have the same rights as those with more resources, but many times their rights are not exercised without representation from a knowledgeable attorney. The work of the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland often assists disenfranchised individuals in avoiding homelessness and family separation and advocates for improved policies that affect low-income populations.

Racial Justice NOW! was also recognized with the runner up award if $2,500. The award supports programming to increase cultural awareness and critical thinking skills among high school students of color. Also, the Ohio-based organization advocates ​for a zero-tolerance ​culture so that every young person can be treated with dignity while obtaining a quality education. The organization also helps introduce culturally relevant curriculum, representing the students in the classroom so that lessons can impart knowledge, skills and attitudes, creating a bridge between students’ homes and school lives.

All organizations recognized with the People's Choice Awards must be an IRS-qualified 501(c)3 nonprofit, pertain to quarterly focus area, and be based in CareSource markets.

About Beautiful As You Are (B.A.Y.A.)

B.A.Y.A. works day in and day out to encourage, inspire and develop youth to find their inner voice. The organization helps build confidence and self-esteem by providing an inclusive space for girls ​to learn how to become better leaders and entrepreneurs ​​with high self-esteem and purpose. Through weekly empowerment workshops like yoga, dance, art activities and DIY projects, they provide a safe space for girls to talk about issues affecting their daily lives. Learn more at https://www.bayacorp.org/

About the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland's mission is to secure justice and resolve​fundamental problems for those who are low income and vulnerable by providing high-quality legal services at no cost and working for​systemic solutions. They handle cases that impact basic needs, economics, education and access to justice. Through their work, they are protecting and promoting human rights, social justice and peace by addressing the civil legal needs of poor, marginalized and disenfranchised people. Learn more https://lasclev.org/

About Racial Justice NOW!​

Racial Justice NOW! works to dismantle structural and institutional anti-Black racism with a focus on the institution of education by lifting up the voices of disempowered Black parents and children. They are dedicated to stopping the school to prison pipeline and the equitable distribution of resources to Black children and parents in the education system. Learn more at https://rjnohio.org/