Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) is proud to sponsor Combined Health Agencies Drive (CHAD), a local organization that has been raising funds with and for Nebraska’s premier health charities, including Prosper Workforce Services, since 1972.
Twenty years ago, Barb True realized the responsibility that comes with having opportunities in her career. Through this realization, True saw the importance of giving back to the community.
True, vice president of claims and support services at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE), began her philanthropic journey with board work at the Kids Can Community Center, an early childhood education and after school program. She then went on to serve as a board chair at Girl’s Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to raising strong, smart and bold young women in the Omaha community.
True was finishing her second term at Girl’s Inc. when she first heard about Prosper Workforce Services’ role in the Omaha community. Prosper Workforce Services, bolstered by CHAD, provides individualized support and employment services to adults with autism. With the help of the nonprofit, participants can reach their career goals, achieve greater independence and contribute in a meaningful way to the community.
The executive director of Prosper Workforce Services had reached out to BCBSNE to see if the company had any open positions that matched the skillset of one of the participants in the program.
BCBSNE did and extended a job offer from the data entry and operation department. From an employer lens, True was able to help BCBSNE foster a diverse, inclusive workforce and environment.
“Often, people view an individual with autism as an individual with a disability,” True said. “When in fact, it’s a mindset shift that is needed of others–including employers–to better understand and include neurodiverse learners in the workplace.”
True has a great-nephew who is neurodiverse and family friend who is on the autism spectrum. When she circled back on her responsibility to give back to the community, she realized she was passionate about Prosper Workforce Services and joined the board.
“As I engaged with Prosper Workforce Services and its team and realized the personal ties with my great-nephew, I knew I wanted to learn more about how individuals with neurodiverse skill sets can prosper in the workplace,” True said. “It’s an honor to be a part of the organization and continue to give back to the community.”
For more articles like this one, visit Community Engagement.
