FamilyWize Points Donegan Elementary in the Right Direction

Students at Donegan Elementary School
attend FamilyWize event.

On October 17, FamilyWize joined Donegan Elementary School in a ribbon-tying ceremony celebrating its introduction as the newest United Way COMPASS School in the Lehigh Valley, PA as its lead corporate sponsor. The FamilyWize initiative began in 2005 with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley at the Fowler Family Center, located in Donegan. After recognizing and fulfilling a need within this localized community, CEO Dan Barnes points to Donegan and United Way as one of the key motivating forces that “challenged us to expand.” FamilyWize is so happy for the success it has gained since then and to have come full circle and be able to give back to the community in which it first gained a foothold toward success. Lehigh University also joined FamilyWize as the school’s sponsor.

The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s COMPASS program (Community Partners for Student Success) is an initiative that encourages community partnership with educational institutions to ensure that students have all the resources necessary to follow their dreams and pursue academic success. These resources are not only limited to financial sponsorship but especially focus on mentorship from leaders in the community. It encourages students to take part in community service projects and empowers parents to take a more active role within the student body. COMPASS emphasizes education, leadership and character development to help guide students toward a fulfilling future.

The United Way of the GLV states that the community school model focuses on the following elements, reported by the Coalition for Community Schools that have been proven to increase students’ learning potential:

• Access to high quality early childhood programs
• Quality education through high standards for all students
• A wide range of positive youth development opportunities
• Services that help students/families to meet their basic needs
• Mutual respect and effective collaboration among parents, staff and the community
• Safe and supportive learning environment

Susan Gilmore, President of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, noted that efforts to provide quality education for children in their community cannot be totally fulfilled by the United Way alone, but depend heavily on the support and partnership with businesses and individuals within the community. She spoke about leadership programs within the school, reading programs and activities at the school that were made possible through United Way and participation from the community. The Lehigh University Black Student Union also showed their support by taking part in a performance of “Lean on Me” by Donegal’s students. Some Lehigh University student athletes were also present and Lehigh University president, Alice Gast, discussed their involvement in the “Reading Rocks” program which drives home the importance of education in addition to students’ extracurricular activities.

A student at Donegan, although seemingly nervous, spoke to the crowd with great insight about how involvement from the community, Lehigh University students, United Way volunteers and local small business owners had positively impacted his experience in school.“I like telling people what to do”, he said. “And with the leadership programs here, I could.”  He also spoke about improvement in his reading skills and touted himself as an example of the types of students such partnerships could foster.

Part of the ribbon that was tied by Dan Barnes,
CEO and Co-Chair at FamilyWize.

When Dan Barnes spoke about FamilyWize’s relationship with Donegan Elementary school, he noted that it began further back than the business relationship that started in 2005. He told about his mother’s involvement with the school as a teacher and continued involvement as the coordinator between FamilyWize and Donegan, today.  Emphasizing the special relationship he has with Donegan both professionally and personally, Dan Barnes volunteered at Donegan when he was in middle school, reading to the younger children . He then tied a ribbon with the FamilyWize name onto a larger ribbon with the other community partners’ names, signifying multiple entities and institutions coming together to help usher in a new future for the students at Donegan Elementary School.

It takes a village to make a school successful.
FamiliyWize is proud to embark on this journey
with the people of Lehigh Valley.

The faces of proud parents, students and teachers spoke volumes about how the United Way COMPASS movement inspired real faith and optimism in the community about the future of their school. Many of the speakers talked about their long history of participation in the Bethlehem Area school district. Visitors to the school got the sense that the audience was made up of much more than just individuals but rather a school community that has come together as a family to ensure that their children have the optimal potential for success. FamilyWize is excited and proud to embark on this new journey with them, toward helping improve the lives of people in the Lehigh Valley by creating happier, healthier communities through quality education and community involvement.

Christina Colon
Contributing Writer and FamilyWize Marketing Team Member

FamilyWize Receives Common Good Award for Savings on Prescription Discounts

The wonderful aspect of working at FamilyWize is being able to see first hand all the good this company is doing.  Even with the healthcare reform in progress—there are still millions who are struggling to get their prescription medications and receive proper healthcare.  But every day, FamilyWize and the United Ways are making a difference in people’s lives with free prescription medicine discount cards.

Not to toot our own horn, but to give you insight on what these cards are doing in towns just like yours, I want to share with you some FamilyWize and United Way news!  This is just one example of what is happening across the country.

Partnership Hits Close to Home in a BIG Way!

Dennis Carmen, President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Plymouth County (in MA), knows to the dollar how much impact the free FamilyWize prescription cards that their United Way distributes has had on the area.  As of June 26, this one United Way has saved individuals in this county over $875,000.  The impact is huge and growing daily. You can even watch the savings change by the second on the United Way of Plymouth County’s website.

Carol Brian, VP of Partner Support receiving
Common Good Award from CEO Dennis Carmen

Recently Carol Brian, our Vice President of Partner Support, journeyed up to Plymouth County Massachusetts on June 6th to attend the 90^th Annual Meeting of the United Way of Greater Plymouth County.   FamilyWize was honored with the Common Good Award in the area of Health.   We were the only non-local company so honored. Carol accepted the award on behalf of FamilyWize.

Mr. Carmen stated, “For a community this size, the savings we provide on medicine for people is significant.” Carmen pointed out, “FamilyWize makes it possible for our neighbors who are struggling, many of them older folks; to buy both the medicine they need plus pay for necessities like food, utilities, clothing, etc. This is a phenomenal alliance with almost 1,000 local United Ways like ours, nationwide, but it is felt so strongly locally.”

Carmen went on to say, “It’s truly wonderful to be able to honor such a partnership that works so directly.  These free cards we distribute have been used about 55,000 times and give an average savings of over 30%.  For a person who might take $500 or $600 worth of medicine a month, think of how much they save.  We’ll soon have saved $1 million dollars with a simple free card we give out.”

United Ways like the one in Greater Plymouth County are amazing partners for this grassroots effort,” states Dan Barnes, co-founder and CEO of the FamilyWize Community Partnership.  “We need partners like them to reach all those people who don’t even know that this kind of assistance is available to them no matter what their age or income is.  These are savings negotiated on behalf of the 2 million people who used our discount drug card in 2011.  No one should hesitate to get a card and see how much they can save."

Isn’t that amazing!!!  Imagine saving your community $1 million dollars in prescription medicines.  As of April 2012, the free FamilyWize cards have helped more than 4 million people save over $345 million.  But as the saying goes, “It takes a village to a raise a child.”  But, we know it only takes one person to make a difference in another’s life.

Part of what Familywize does is help individuals like you to pay it forward!  It takes just a minute of your time to get a FamilyWize United Way free medication discount card and pass it out to your co-workers, friends, family, church; the potential is limitless.  You can go online to www.familywize.org and Get a Card or call us for a free Rx card at 800-222-2818.

An even easier option now to get a discount drug card is to text “Family” to 700700.  A text message will be sent to your phone that you can show to the pharmacist at one of the 65,000 participating pharmacies to receive your discount automatically.

Our cards are free, but we need your help in reaching the millions who need help with their brand name and generic medicines!

For more information about how you can help or to find out more about the FamilyWize company visit www.FamilyWize.org or Facebook.com/familywize.

Thank you for helping us to reach one more person!

Donna Cornelius
Online Marketing Manager

Oh Boy - A Baby at FamilyWize! Pass the Baby Wipes Please

Oooh Baby - It's a Boy! 

Team Leader Amber at Familywize.

But we knew that!  What we didn't know was when this little bundle of joy was going to join the FamilyWize family!  And we are very happy to announce that the FamilyWize family just got a little bit bigger!  

We shared the surprise party we threw for our team leader Amber (Amber's Shower), but now we want to send a big hug and congratulations to Amber and her husband on the new addition of their family on July 3rd!

Amber and husband welcomed their sweet baby boy on Tuesday and none too soon!  

The Fun Has Just Begun!
Having a baby is only the beginning!  There are sooo many things to think about.  Although Amber and her husband were well prepared with baby shower gifts and pre-baby shopping, a baby in the family brings a reality check to your life and your wallet.

From baby clothes to formula (if you are nursing) to diapers and baby wipes - it seems once you have a baby the money tree in the backyard can't grow fast enough.

Making your own baby wipes saves money.

So I shared a little secret with Amber on the day of her baby shower - homemade baby wipes!  

Making Your Own Baby Wipes

Having babies doesn't have to be expensive.  You can make your own food, make your own baby wipes; there are many ways to save money as you grow your family!  With three children of my own, saving money when adding babies to the family tree can sure come in handy!

As with everything FamilyWize, we believe in paying it forward!  So I am going to share a baby wipe recipe that was given to me after my first baby - AND I rarely bought baby wipes after that!

Recipe - Baby Wipes:
1 roll of paper towels (soft, cotton paper towels)
2 cups of hot water
2 Tbsp. of Baby Soap
1 Tbsp of Baby Oil or Olive Oil

Directions:  

1. Lay the roll of paper towels on its side.  Cut the roll of paper towels in half with a sharp knife - setting aside one half.  
2. Carefully remove the inside cardboard of the roll.  You will be pulling the wipes from the center.  Doing this step makes it easy to take one wipe at a time.
3. Put one half of the roll in an empty diaper wipe container or other container large enough to hold the half roll of paper towels.
4. Mix water, baby soap, and baby oil in a measuring cup or bowl.
5. Pour the mixture over the towels in the container.
6. Let it sit for about 15 minutes until all of the liquid is absorbed. 

You now have your own baby wipes that you can use immediately! 

Be sure to share with us how you save money having a baby in the family!  Also - please share this recipe with all your young mom friends!

Donna Cornelius
Online Marketing Manager

4th of July Safety Tips - Word to the Wise

The 4th of July - the day we - as a country no matter our ethnicity, culture, or heritage - come together in one day or week (if you're lucky) to celebrate this country's unity and declared freedom.  Being of multicultural descent - my family, who has been here for several generations, celebrates in typical American style of barbecue, swimming, enjoying our friends and family and going to see the display of fireworks in town.

July fourth is the day we celebrate freedom and unity.

We also get to enjoy our Indo-Armenian neighbors who once a year have a blow-out bash with their friends and family.  Amazing sweet smelling cultural cuisine wafts through the air, the exotic, beautiful bells and music of their heritage plays as they dance through the night, ending with their own colorful fireworks display.

Now I realize I have a couple of days, but the July fourth holiday period actually is much longer than just one day or so the statistics show.

From traveling to swimming at the beach to boating and backyard bashes with friends and family, there are barbecues, an abundance of tasty treats, drinks of all flavors and fireworks!  However, what is supposed to be a day of celebration is often reflected as a day of many accidents and injuries.  Therefore I thought some insight, wisdom, and a few statistics might be a bit prudent.

Impaired Driving - Not a Wize Way to Spend Your Holiday

According to the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration (NHSTA), "Most Americans don't realize that July 4th is one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes."  During 2010 Fourth of July celebrations (from 6:00 p.m. on July 2 - 5:59 am on July 6):

• 392 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes
• 39% involved at least one driver or motorcycle operator with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher
• 80% more alcohol-impaired driving fatalities took place at night
• 50% of young drivers killed were alcohol impaired (BAC of .08 or higher)

If you do drink on the 4th, please DO NOT drive! 

Getting Fired Up - Not Just From Fireworks
Did you know that a Sparkler can burn at 2,000 degrees? This small fact from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission is just one reason NOT to let children light or play with Sparklers.  The CPSC also offers other safety tips for a safe and enjoyable 4th of July.  Some alarming burn and firework statistics for not following the tips in 2011 resulted in:

• An average of 200 people visit the emergency room every day with fireworks related injuries
• 65% of these injuries occurred within the 4th of July holiday period
• Most injured body part is no surprise the hands and fingers - 46%
• Most injuries by type of fireworks goes to the Sparklers - 17%

For more interesting statistics go to www.cpsc.gov.  Be sure to know some basic burn care as well - just in case.

Also - watch the barbecues, backyard fire pits and camp fires - statistics from the National Fire Data Center indicate that more than half of the 11,000 injuries related to these types of fires happen the first week of July.

Turning Up the Heat
Keeping to the hot topic of heating things up.  It is July and the temperatures across the nation have been hot and the weather unpredictable.  With temperatures soaring into the 90's in many states, drink your water!  Alcohol will actually cause you to get dehydrated, so drinks with electrolytes, juices, and water, water, water - will help prevent the many heat related illnesses like heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat rash, and sunburn.  Even if you are in the water don't discount the power of the sun!   For tips on preventing heat related illnesses check out www2.redcross.org. One food with sweet water power and great nutritional benefits is watermelon - check out some amazing recipes from our "Fruit-tastic Watermelon News For Your Summer" blog!

Have fun, be safe, and if you find yourself packing this week for your holiday summer vacation check out Krysta's blog of things to remember on your summer vacation "Don't Forget FamilyWize this Summer!"

Happy 4th of July from FamilyWize!

Donna Cornelius
Online Marketing Manager

Big Tweet - United Way's Day of Action

ARE YOU READY TO TWEET!?

It is time to stand up and shout Live United!!
 
If you read Monday's blog then you already know why you need to tweet.  If not, let me tell you why June 21st is so special!

All across the nation tomorrow, the United Way of America will be organizing thousands of volunteers for their United Way Day of Action.

Why is this year so special?  This year's Day of Action falls on the 125 anniversary of the United Way movement.  That's pretty special...

Let's keep a good thing going!

Join United Way on June 21st for The Big Tweet.  Get engaged by sharing your volunteer experience through a tweet!  Tweet @ UnitedWay with the hashtag #LIVEUNITED and #iamthechange to let United Way and the rest of America (and maybe even the world) know what YOU did to become the change through United Way volunteer opportunities.

Want your shout to be heard EVEN LOUDER? "Like" United Way on Facebook, write on its wall, and post a picture to demonstrate what you are doing to make a difference in your community.

If you have not pledged to put your United Way volunteer hat on yet, IT'S NOT TOO LATE!  You can still count yourself in and become one of the more than 50,000 people who have counted themselves in to get involved in a huge nationwide volunteer effort.

Guess what?  WE want to see what you are doing, too! Tweet to @FamilyWize to let us know what YOU are doing tomorrow.  Post a picture on our Facebook wall and be sure to include the United Way you support.  We will then post all of the pictures we receive to a board on our Pinterest page!

Be the change.  Be a United Way volunteer.

United Way of America volunteers for the Big Tweet.

Krysta W.

Don't Pill'fer Your Medications Potency This Summer

 "Store Medications at Room Temperature"

Those four words are etched on most pill bottle labels, but how many of us travel with temperature-sensitive medications follow those words? 

Medications left in car can lose potency.

Summer is here, which means higher temperatures, vacation travel  and the potential for compromising medications that require a temperature controlled environment.

We all do it:  leave the inhaler in the glove box; the insulin bottle slips between the seats; and those nitroglycerin tablets fell out of the blazer pocket when thrown in the back seat. 

Leaving medications that are sensitive to heat does more than simply warm them.  When prescription medications are left at above room temperatures, like in a hot car, it affects how potent and effective the drug is.  During peak summer months, interior car temperatures can reach over 110 degrees, which well exceeds the 72 degree room temperature typical for medications. 

Here are a few tips on how to travel smarter with your temperature sensitive medications:

1.  Don't leave medications in your car when you're not. Think of them as a pet- you wouldn't leave a dog in a hot car, would you?! Don't leave them to sweat it out in the trunk either, but somewhere air circulates to keep a safe temperature.

2.  Certain prescription drugs are more susceptible to heat than others and require a controlled temperature. 

• Insulin, which is used to treat diabetes patients, degrades very quickly when exposed to heat and should never be left in a car.  According to the American Diabetes Association, current bottles of insulin should be stored at room temperature and extra bottles can be stored in the fridge.  It should never be stored in the freezer, in direct sunlight, or in the glove compartment of a vehicle. 

• Nitroglycerin, used by those who have heart conditions, is affected very quickly by heat.  According to Drugs.com, Nitroglycerin is to be stored at room temperature and away from heat, moisture, and light. 

• Inhalers, a device used to treat Asthma, contain medicine in a pressurized can.  According to Proventil, a brand of asthma inhaler, exposure to temperatures above 120°F may cause bursting. 

• Epicene, used for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), is another drug that should not be exposed to heat.  According to Drugs.com, EpiPens should be stored at room temperatures, not refrigerated or frozen, and stored away from heat, light, and moisture.  Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees is permitted.

3.  Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if your medication is able to be refrigerated.  Depending on the medication, sticking your medications in a cooler usually has a lesser affect on medication than heat.  Find a cooler with a strap so you can tote it around on your shoulder to shield your medications from the heat and sun.

4.  Before you down your medicine, be sure to check the anatomy of your medicine.  If it comes in the form of a capsule or pill, double check to make sure they aren't stuck together or wilted.  If your pills don't look the same after they were exposed to heat, it's probably best to check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if they are still safe to consume.

5.  If traveling on a plane, do not check your prescription drugs with your luggage. Most cargo holds are not climate controlled so the potency of your pills cannot be guaranteed.  Throw your pills in your carry on bag - that way you know they are safe. 

6.  Most pharmacies will provide a one time replacement for incidents like these.  Check with your insurance company, or drug manufacturer to see if it will replace your medicine.  If your insurance company will not provide a replacement for your overheated med and you have to purchase it at retail price, print out a FamilyWize Card and take it to one of our participating pharmacies.  Eight out of ten times, FamilyWize can give you a discount on your FDA approved medication.

Of course, only your doctor or pharmacist can provide professional advice on effective ways to store medications.

So, who else is guilty of leaving their medications in a summery place? Comment to share your PILLfered potency story!

Krysta W.

Happy Father's Day!

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 70.1 million fathers across America.  That's a lot of dads!  How many of those will be receiving neck ties this Sunday? Not my dad!

My dad, being the piece of work that he is, would rather receive a bag of beef jerky than a watch for a Father's Day Gift; and a case of Pepsi rather than golf clubs.

A Father's Day gift that gets right to the point.

He worked 60+ hours a week so my mom could stay at home.  He let me sit on his lap when he mowed the grass even though it took three times longer.  He came to every soccer game even though I mostly sat on the bench.  He taught me how to parallel park, use a drill, cut a steak, mind my manners, and a million other amazing things. 

My dad is definitely unique. What makes your dad unique? Let us know! From our family to yours - Happy Father's Day from FamilyWize!

Happy Father's Day to my awesome dad and the 70,099,999 other dads out there! 

Krysta W.

FamilyWize Showers Amber!

Amber opens shower gifts at FamilyWize.org

Oh, boy!  The FamilyWize family will be getting a little bit bigger! Team leader, Amber, and her husband are expecting their first child, so we threw her a little "surprise" baby shower at the office. 

And oh, was she surprised! Amber was showered with tons of loot for her baby boy who will be here before we know it! 

As with planning the perfect surprise baby shower, having a baby requires planning.  One of the many decisions a woman has to make concerning her pregnancy, besides which color to paint the baby's room or what to name the baby, is which prenatal vitamin to choose.  

For all those soon to be moms out there like Amber, do you know that FamilyWize can help with prescription prenatal vitamins?

Team Leader Amber at Family Wize surprise baby shower

FamilyWize saves an average of 18% on prenatal vitamins. DuetDHA, PreNexa, Prenate, NataChew are just a few of the prescription vitamins we have helped women fill.  To see the other prenatal vitamins the program can help with, use our Drug Price Lookup tool.

If your doctor writes you a prescription for a FDA approved prenatal vitamin, check out the list of our participating pharmacies to see where you can take your prescription.   Don't forget to use the FamilyWize Card to see if you can get additional discounts on other medications you are prescribed as well.

If you have questions about your prenatal vitamins, only your doctor can provide advice on which one to take.  If you have any questions about FamilyWize, visit our FAQ Page! 

Krysta W.

FamilyWize’s Five Degrees of Separation

"Can the FamilyWize Program Help Me?” 

That is one of the questions asked frequently by consumers calling in to learn more about the little orange discount card that is FamilyWize.

Many people believe that the program can only be used by those who are uninsured. Good news!  There are so many other predicaments in which the FamilyWize discount prescription card might be able to come to the rescue.

• My employer offered insurance and I didn’t take it…
• I’m a Medicaid/Medicare recipient and have medications that aren’t covered… 
• I turned 26 and was removed from my parent’s insurance…
• I’m a Medicare recipient and in the "donut hole"…
• I have a health savings account...
• I can’t afford my insurance premium but have medications to take…
• I have a high deductible…
• I’m a part-time employee/student and not eligible for benefits…

FamilyWize Can Help

Have four legged friends? Fido the dog or Fluffy the cat can benefit from the program if they come under the weather.  As long as the medications are FDA approved, Fido and Fluffy can be up and running in no time.

Even if a person can’t directly benefit from the program, nine out of ten times they know someone who can. They might have parents who have medications that aren’t covered by their insurance plan.  They might have a grandparent who is caught in the Medicare "donut hole."  They might have a sibling who has a health savings account.  They might have a dog that is going through a “ruff” time and needs medication to get back on its feet.

Everybody knows somebody or some doggy. J

Krysta W.

If she ever gets tired of retrieving her pink tennis balls, my dog Mya might have a career as an actress! 

The FamilyWize Fever!

Part of what we do here at FamilyWize is answer calls from consumers.  There is one call in particular that stands out to Amber and David, our team leaders.

A woman from Arizona called in towards the end of the day and spoke with David.  She used the card recently and raved about how well it helped her.  She requested ten FamilyWize cards to be mailed to her so she could give them out.

She called back about an hour later after David had left for the day and spoke with Amber.  The woman said she started to ponder about all of the people in her life who could benefit from the program that were in the same boat as her—uninsured.  She requested 50 cards to give to her relatives in California and 30 cards to give to her boss who is a caseworker.  She shared that she was going to discuss the program with her pastor to see if the 10,000 members of her church could use assistance from FamilyWize as well.

“All it takes is one person to become an advocate,” Amber said.  “This woman is a such a great example. I have been with FamilyWize for almost two and a half years and have spoken with individuals who literally take the cards EVERYWHERE with them, and give to EVERYONE they come in contact with.  Once you see what the cards can do, it’s like you immediately want to share the wealth.”

“We really get all sizes of advocates,” David said.  “Some people can connect with hundreds of friends, relatives, and neighbors who they may see as possibly needing the card.  Other people may only have a small handful of people they see as needing help.  Either way we all know someone who may need help.  Advocating on any scale is a tremendous help to anyone in need.”

One song can spark a moment.  One flower can wake the dream.  One tree can start a forest.  One bird can herald spring.  One FamilyWize advocate can light the pathway to prescription assistance.

Krysta W. 

FamilyWize's pet eagle hanging out in our backyard. Good thing statues don't eat because all we could feed it is discount cards!

United Way #CLC - Nashville, TN - 2012 FamilyWize Savings

This was a great chance for the United Way folks at the 2012 #CLC to show their communities' savings and have a bit of fun with the FamilyWize team doing it!

If the Tables Were Turned

May 3^rd marked my seven month anniversary with FamilyWize.

When I first started working for FamilyWize, I was completely blind in the world of prescription discount cards.  I was always lucky enough to have parents who both had full-time jobs that provided great health insurance for all three of their kids. I was biased and thought everyone was insured one way or another.

But without the new federal health law that started in 2010, I would have been in need of a FamilyWize card for a handful of months.

The new health law currently allows adult children to be covered by a parent’s health insurance until the age of 26.  Before the new law kicked in, adult children could only stay out their parent’s health insurance until the age of 19 or as long as they were enrolled as a full-time student.  Every year, I used to send my dad’s insurance company my tuition bill as proof that I was still in school and therefore insured.

After graduating from college last May, I didn’t start working at FamilyWize until October.  Even though I started applying for a job months before I graduated, not one of the positions I applied for would consider me because of a quality I lacked—experience.

If the new healthcare law wasn’t in existence today, I would have been uninsured for five months and not able to take the medications I am prescribed.

By working for FamilyWize, I am able to hear about situations people are in every day that poses a road block between them and their medicine:

• Someone over the age of 26 quits their job and goes back to school full-time
• Someone is laid off due to the lousy economy; 
• Someone’s insurance does not include a prescription plan. 

Everyone’s relationship with prescription insurance is different whether it's not ideal or even non-existent.
Facebook often hits the nail on the head with its option to describe a relationship—“it’s complicated.”
Here is to FamilyWize making prescription coverage a little less complicated!

Krysta W.

Working for the FamilyWize.org Family

What’s it like working for FamilyWize? 

Hmmmmm. Well, working period is a privilege in itself. But working for FamilyWize?

Here is a little background: Last May, I was proudly able to hang my Bachelor of Arts in Professional and Media Writing from East Stroudsburg University (ESU) next to my Associates in Liberal Arts from Northampton Community College (NCC).  

I thought by the time I graduated from community college, the field I wanted my career to be in would have targeted and tackled. Not the case. A few inklings were brewing and psychology was one. When I transferred to ESU and started on the psychology track, one of the classes required was quantitative statistics. After I would complete that class, there would be a handful more psychology-based math classes to come. I thought math’s wrath was escaped by completely knocking out all of my general education classes at NCC. After my first semester at ESU, I switched a major I felt comfortable with and had no absolutely no math associated to it—English. After taking a liking to journalism, I interned at a small newspaper in a neighboring town. 

At the same time I was interning, I was volunteering at the local Red Cross. I started covering stories that revolved around community service and non-profit organizations such as fundraisers and ribbon cuttings. I was quickly able to see the amount of energy, dedication, and selflessness those employees and volunteers had for a cause just because they simply care.  It just amazed me. Then, I had a revelation. 

When I was six, I wanted to be a veterinarian. When I was 11, I wanted to be a pediatric nurse. When I was 16, I wanted to be a psychologist. Even after receiving my bachelor’s degree, a microscopic part of me still doesn't know what I want to do. Looking back at all of the careers I had prematurely chosen, I now realize the positions all had one quality in common—to help people.

Working forFamilyWize allows me to help people every single day. By giving cards to family members, friends, and complete strangers; By calling a participating pharmacy to see how the program is going; By working with United Ways to coordinate the program—all that adds up to create an wonderful impact of  helping to reduce the disheartening statistic that more than one out of every five people has no prescription coverage.

Pathway in Bethlehem, PA - Headquarters of FamilyWize.org

I get to carry on the philosophy that stronger, healthier and happier people make healthier, better communities and a stronger, gentler nation which was molded by FamilyWize’s founders, Dan and Susan Barnes. 

I get to help people. What a better job for me than to work for FamilyWize:)

 

Krysta W.