During the Thanksgiving season, thoughts turn to family and the safety and security of having a place to reliably call home. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota prioritizes volunteerism in support of access to healthy and safe housing through several Habitat for Humanity programs in Minnesota.

This annual volunteer tradition brings associates from across the company together to volunteer their time and talent in support of equitable access to affordable housing. Safe, stable housing is considered a key social determinant of health that drives racial and health equity.

Families celebrate new homes in metro, northern Minnesota

“Home celebrations are a time to honor all of those who come together to create affordable, stable home ownership and welcome new home buyers to their broader community,” says Chris Coleman, President and CEO of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. “All of us at Habitat celebrate the volunteers from Blue Cross and their efforts to make Habitat homes possible.”

This past August, the Thao family became the proud owners of a home on Maryland Avenue in St. Paul that Blue Cross associates helped build during the 2020 Habitat season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private celebration was held for the family.

In the fall, Blue Cross volunteers spent two weeks working on a new Habitat home in South St. Paul, in partnership with Dakota County Affordable Housing Coalition and the Dakota County Community Development Agency.

In 2021, Blue Cross associates volunteered at two Habitat for Humanity sites in the Twin Cities metro and three in northern Minnesota. In addition, a family moved into the St. Paul home built, in part, by Blue Cross associates.

Teams of women from Blue Cross also volunteered at a designated Women Build site in St. Paul. On average, more than 1,000 volunteers participate in the Women Build program each year through Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. The program gives women an opportunity to develop new building and leadership skills, work as a team and strengthen relationships while providing safe, supportive housing for families.

Blue Cross associates based at its Virginia, Minn. offices also supported building projects through the North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers worked on Habitat sites this past spring and summer in Gilbert, Hibbing and Cook.

Volunteers share their experiences

“I love volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. This is at least my sixth year of volunteering on a build site and I recruited my team to join me this year,” says Kendra Evanoff, an Office 365 engineer at Blue Cross. “The Habitat experience is different every time. They welcome all skill levels and it’s a great way to help a family in need.”

“Volunteering with Habitat is a real energy booster for me,” says Marc Baer, vice president of health services. “The chance to connect as a team and do something meaningful matters, now more than ever.”

“Volunteering is one way we live our values at Blue Cross,” says Nash Shaikh, chief of staff to the President and CEO at Blue Cross. “From northern Minnesota to the Twin Cities and beyond, our associates put their heart into caring for community. It’s who we are!”

“Habitat is unique because you can stand back at the end of the day and see your work. You see the walls you helped build or the siding you put up. It’s extremely rewarding,” says Tanya Patton, operations manager in the Virginia offices. “Coordinating these events with our staff allows them to share this with each other. It creates opportunities for team building and often even the chance to work alongside the family that will move into the home.”

“The finest demonstration of gratitude is the reaching out and connecting to a purpose bigger than yourself,” says Susan Schuster, principal community relations consultant at Blue Cross. “Volunteerism is the ultimate statement that I appreciate what I have – even amongst many personal challenges – and I want to listen, collaborate and take meaningful action so everyone can share in that abundance of spirit.”