ALBUQUERQUE — Albuquerque Oasis announced that it received a $20,000 grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico’s (BCBSNM) Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® initiative. The grant will support the Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring Program, which trains and places adult volunteer reading mentors with elementary school students for one-on-one reading sessions.
“Through our mentoring program, we are changing lives forever. By providing reading mentors to work with elementary school students, two lives actually change — the student and the mentor,” stated Vicki DeVigne, Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring Program Director. “Our mentors can become a much-needed friend to a struggling young student.”
The Healthy Kids, Healthy Families grant will help Oasis rebuild their program and return it to pre-pandemic levels. The Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring Program has been active in the Albuquerque district for over 30 years, and the goal is to increase community presence by building the volunteer team, expanding into additional elementary schools, and sharing the joy of reading with over 500 students annually to positively impact reading scores.
“Reading is such a fundamental part of everyday life,” said Janice Torrez, BCBSNM president. “Supporting the Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring program helps ensure this program can continue to have an impact on these children, not only today but for years to come.”
[Related: See more ways BCBSNM is making an impact for New Mexicans in our 2022 Corporate Social Responsibility report]
BCBSNM’s Healthy Kids, Healthy Families grant initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to invest in and partner with nonprofit organizations that offer sustainable, measurable programs in nutrition, physical activity, disease prevention and management and supporting safe environments. (A new major grant program — Blue ImpactSM — replaces HKHF in 2023.)
The Albuquerque Oasis commitment to lifelong learning, healthy living and volunteer community outreach aligns with the vision of Healthy Kids, Healthy Families to improve the health of children and their families across New Mexico.
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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is one of the largest commercial health insurers in New Mexico with more than 700,000 New Mexicans carrying a Blue Cross and Blue Shield card. Since 1940, BCBSNM has been committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and communities through accessible, cost-effective, quality health care. BCBSNM is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
About Albuquerque Oasis
By offering challenging programs in the arts, humanities, science, wellness, and volunteer service, Oasis creates opportunities for older adults to continue their personal growth and meaningful service to the community. Operating in Albuquerque since 1991, Oasis is open to all adults regardless of gender, race, creed, ethnicity, age, national origin or religion.
