On Dec. 21, 1992, the Louisiana Secretary of State recognized the incorporation of the Louisiana Child Caring Foundation — the entity that eventually became the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation.
In recognition of our 25th anniversary, we’re catching up with grantees, starting with our 23 classes of Angel Award honorees.
Carolyn Carnahan founded Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) in 1981. The nonprofit was founded on the belief that it takes more than teachers and principals to educate children. It takes a community.
VIPS provides schools with trained volunteers who help children who are struggling in math and reading.
Independent studies have shown that children who were struggling and receive 11 to 20 or more visits from a Reading Friend saw higher increases in their test scores than peers who did not receive tutoring and were “catching up” to the test scores of their peers.
The nonprofit also helps schools build community partnerships to help schools fund programs such as art, when their budgets fall short.
While Carnahan is not part of the day-to-day operations of the organization, she and her husband still volunteer at schools when they are able.