When you're an essential employee working for the largest healthcare system on the Space Coast, you need a good support system backing you up. The closure of the Brevard County Schools for the remainder of the school year due to COVID-19 left many of our Health First associates in desperate need of child care. As a way to help with this need, Health First decided to offer child care to its working associates at no cost.

The child care services provided peace of mind to associates. Within a three–day period, four locations were transformed to provide child care in groups of 10 or less, and daily lunches, dinners and snacks were arranged for the children.

The Truist Financial Corporation graciously donated a $50,000 grant to the Health First Foundation, which was put toward supporting these child care services.

“Our Health First associates always go above and beyond the call of duty, and we are grateful to have the support of Truist so our associates can continue caring for our community knowing their children are thriving in a quality child care program,” said Paula Just, chief human resources officer for Health First.

The grant is part of the financial services company's Truist Cares initiative, a $25 million philanthropic pledge announced in March to support basic needs, medical supplies and financial hardship relief due to COVID-19. Health First Foundation Trustee Barry Forbes serves as senior vice president at Truist and was instrumental in sharing this grant opportunity. Truist is Health First's largest Corporate Partner with this gift bringing their total giving this year to $100,000.

“We are pleased to support Health First Foundation in their efforts to provide child care services for its associates,” said Sandy Hostetter, Central Florida regional president for Truist. “I have been a working mother my entire career and understand firsthand that no parent can focus if they are concerned about the welfare of their children.”

About Truist

Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose–driven financial services company committed to inspire and build better lives and communities. With 275 years of combined BB&T and SunTrust history, Truist serves approximately 12 million households with leading market share in many high–growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is the sixth–largest commercial bank in the U.S. with total assets of $506 billion as of March 31, 2020. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.