SWEPCO Gives $110K to Keep Louisiana Students in School

Fifty more Louisiana students just got a lifeline to stay in school and succeed, thanks to a $110,000 donation from the SWEPCO Foundation to Volunteers of America North Louisiana.

The gift funds the Communities In Schools dropout prevention program, which places support staff directly on school campuses. These trained professionals work one-on-one with students who face barriers to academic success, whether that's attendance problems, behavioral challenges, or falling grades.

"This means that we can serve roughly 50 more students with intensive case management service," said Carolyn Hammond, President and CEO of Volunteers of America. "We can really address areas where they're struggling and help them be more successful."

The program doesn't just focus on academics. Case managers help remove whatever obstacles stand between a student and graduation, from family challenges to transportation issues to basic needs like food and school supplies.

SWEPCO employees celebrated the donation at the Volunteers of America Downtown LightHouse on September 3rd. After the check presentation, students got a bonus lesson in electrical safety from SWEPCO staff and met Louie the Lightning Bug, the company's safety mascot.

"We want to use every opportunity we can to get kids involved," said Michael D. Corbin, SWEPCO's External Affairs Manager. The company invests about $3 million annually in the communities it serves.

The Ripple Effect

Keeping kids in school creates waves of positive change that extend far beyond graduation day. Students who finish high school earn higher incomes, enjoy better health, and are more likely to give back to their communities. They're also more likely to raise children who graduate themselves, breaking cycles of poverty.

This investment in 50 students could impact hundreds of lives over the coming decades. Each graduate represents new possibilities, stronger families, and a more vibrant community.

The program focuses on what staff call the ABCs: attendance, behavior, and course performance. By tracking these three key indicators, case managers can spot problems early and intervene before students fall too far behind.

For many students, having one consistent adult who believes in them and fights for their success makes all the difference. Now 50 more kids in North Louisiana will have that champion in their corner.