Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana

Project Backpack is in full swing this weekend! Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers will be hosting a drive-thru backpack giveaway to all our community's youth in need of school supplies for the upcoming school year. To receive a free backpack with school supplies, all you need to do is register by scanning the QR code. We are excited to see all of you on Saturday!

We are thrilled to announce our latest winner of the Shining Star Award. Please join me in congratulating our RNDC Real Estate Development Manager, Jeanette Delery Capocaccia!
Jeanette truly exemplifies the “One Team” ethos of Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana. Despite her demanding role, she consistently makes time to serve alongside VOASELA staff, participating in agency church services, fundraisers, and various employee events. Jeanette’s interactions are always marked by her warm smile and genuine kindness, whether engaging with external vendors or contributing to VOASELA’s mission to build and maintain quality, affordable housing in Louisiana and Texas. Her dedication to integrating into the agency’s culture of service has been remarkable. It is with great pride that we recognize Jeanette as a Shining Star for Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana!

The National Council of Nonprofits and Nonprofit VOTE are excited to be launching a National Nonprofit Voter Engagement Guide on July 15. Join this national webinar on July 30 for an overview of the guide and to learn how nonprofits can participate in nonpartisan voter engagement between now and Election Day.

Join the 45-minute national webinar tomorrow, July 30, 2024 at 3:00pm Eastern, to find out how easy it is to register eligible voters, share reliable information on polling places and voting, and engage with candidates in a nonpartisan way.

If you’re interested in voter engagement at your affiliate and want advice on how to get started, register for this free webinar hosted by the National Council of Nonprofits and Nonprofit VOTE. https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/form/nonpartisan-voter-engagement

Our We C.A.N. program helps identify signs of child traumatic stress:

Preschool Children:
Separation anxiety
Excessive crying
Eating poorly
Nightmares

Elementary School Children:
Anxiety or fear
Guilt or shame
Difficulty concentrating
Trouble sleeping

Middle and High School Children:
Depression or loneliness
Eating disorders and self-harm
Substance abuse
Early sexual activity

Recognizing these signs is the first step in providing the support they need.

We C.A.N. The We C.A.N. (We Care. We Advocate. We Nurture) program is designed to increase access to effective trauma-focused treatment and services for children and adolescents ages 6-18 years and their families. These families experience traumatic events specifically from exposure to violent crimes, domesti...

A big thank you to Atmos Energy for committing to be our Operation Backpack Community Sponsor! Your support helps us provide essential supplies to children in need, ensuring they have the tools for a successful school year. We couldn't do it without you!

Throwing it back to when ART provided new home furnishings to our Veterans Facility! Our veterans felt more at home, surrounded by comfort and inspiration. A heartfelt thank you to ART for making a difference in their lives!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2KYLvfzY-8

2024 ARTS Community Service Project - NOLA - 5-9-2024 Home accent industry association, ART-Accessories Resource Team, held its annual conference in New Orleans, LA May 8-10, 2024. Every year the group chooses a...

The collection season for Operation Backpack is almost over, and we still have a few items on our Amazon wish list. For just $30, you can fill a backpack and make a huge difference in the lives of the children we serve within our programs.

Help us ensure every child is ready for the school year with the supplies they need to succeed. Visit our Amazon wish list and donate today!

OPERATION BACKPACK® Our goal is to get as many full backpacks into the hands of homeless and at-risk students as possible before their first day of school.

We are thrilled to announce our latest winner of the Shining Star award. Please join us in congratulating Larry Packnett! Larry's contributions to our organization have been nothing short of exceptional. IT is often underappreciated, but Larry’s work shines brightly within our team. Working with Larry is a pleasure; he is responsive, patient, and brings a wonderful sense of humor to our daily operations. Larry has handled countless questions to understand our agency processes and the reasons behind them, always with grace and immense patience.

We are incredibly fortunate to have Larry as part of our team.

🌟 Client Testimonial 🌟

"Thank you to Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana! I’m on the waiting list for housing!"

Our Family Focused Recovery program is dedicated to helping families rebuild their lives through comprehensive support services, including housing assistance, counseling, and recovery resources. We're honored to walk alongside our community members on their journey to stability and well-being.

At Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, our We C.A.N. (We Care. We Advocate. We Nurture) program tackles childhood traumatic stress caused by:

• Neglect and various forms of abuse
• Natural disasters, terrorism, and violence
• Witnessing intimate partner violence
• Commercial sexual exploitation
• Serious accidents or loss of a loved one

Together, we can understand and support affected children.

We C.A.N. The We C.A.N. (We Care. We Advocate. We Nurture) program is designed to increase access to effective trauma-focused treatment and services for children and adolescents ages 6-18 years and their families. These families experience traumatic events specifically from exposure to violent crimes, domesti...

Our Supportive Services for Veterans Assistance Program is here to help! We offer temporary financial aid for rent and utilities to homeless veterans. Our dedicated case managers work closely with participants to help them rejoin the workforce and attain self-sufficiency.

To be eligible for the Homeless Veterans Assistance Program, a person must:

1) Have served in the military
2) Been honorably discharged
3) Be homeless as defined by lacking fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (does NOT include living with relatives or friends)
4) Provide documentation of the above criteria

Together, we can make a difference.

Education is the gift that keeps on giving. By providing backpacks, markers, notebooks, and more to our Operation Backpack program, you are guaranteeing a child has equitable access to education!

OPERATION BACKPACK® Our goal is to get as many full backpacks into the hands of homeless and at-risk students as possible before their first day of school.

Did you know? Over their lifetimes, 66% of children experienced 2 or more types of violence, 30% experienced 5 or more types, and 10% experienced more than 10 different types. These staggering numbers highlight the urgent need for comprehensive support for our kids.

Our We C.A.N (We Care. We Advocate. We Nurture) program, we are dedicated to helping children heal from trauma.

Together, we can help children overcome their past and build a brighter, safer future. 💙

Happy 4th of July! Today, we commemorate independence and freedom. However you choose to celebrate, we wish everyone a safe and memorable time surrounded by friends and family.

We believe in the power of community and compassion. Every day, we work to uplift and support individuals and families in need, helping them transform their lives for the better.

From providing critical resources and services to offering a helping hand and a listening ear, we are dedicated to making a real difference. Our programs range from helping veterans reintegrate into society, supporting children and families in crisis, to assisting seniors in living with dignity and independence.

Together, we can continue to create positive and lasting impacts in our community.

Our Supported Living Services held an exciting raffle and selected some lucky consumers to win a gift card and a beautiful 4th of July-themed wreath!

A big thank you to Benitra Williams from the Supportive Housing Program for donating these stunning wreaths!

Congratulations to our winners:
Debbie Batty
Willie Martin & Jeffery Elkins (housemates), with Jeffery being our lucky winner!

We were thrilled to get these festive wreaths to our winners just in time for the celebrations!

Make someone’s school year the best one yet by partnering with us on our Operation Backpack program.

With your help, we can make a difference for future generations! Please donate today!

OPERATION BACKPACK® Our goal is to get as many full backpacks into the hands of homeless and at-risk students as possible before their first day of school.

We are thrilled to announce our next Shining Star award winner. Please join us in congratulating Dominique Harris. Dominique goes above and beyond in caring for consumers in both the SLS and CLS programs. Despite being split between two programs, she excels in managing our consumers' medical needs and pays meticulous attention to detail.

Recently, Dominique successfully completed her first Med Admin training certification class. Thanks to her dedication and expertise, the consumers she services are in excellent hands. Dominique travels tirelessly between group homes and consumers' homes without complaint, always prioritizing the needs of our consumers. We are incredibly fortunate to have Dominique as part of our team. Her commitment and hard work are truly appreciated.

Support Operation Backpack
As the new school year approaches, our annual Operation Backpack campaign is underway. This initiative provides essential school supplies to students in need, ensuring they start the year with confidence.

How You Can Help:

1. Shop at Our Online Store Roonga™
2. Donate: A donation of any amount will ensure that local children start the school year with the necessary supplies for success.
3. Purchase Supplies: You can purchase individual supplies via our Amazon Wish List.

Your support will make a significant difference in the lives of many children.

OPERATION BACKPACK® Our goal is to get as many full backpacks into the hands of homeless and at-risk students as possible before their first day of school.

Still Riding the High from "Pickleball for Programs"! 🏆

A few days have passed since our inaugural "Pickleball for Programs" tournament, and we're still buzzing with excitement! 🎉 The energy, enthusiasm, and support from everyone involved were simply incredible.

Special shoutout to our winners:
1st Place: Jarred Hirstius and Jakob Murray, serving aces for Veterans Services
2nd Place: Kerry Ranson and Kevin Lauren, executing perfect volleys for Veterans Services
3rd Place: Nick LaCour and Patrick West, also representing the Intellectual Disability Program with finesse
4th Place: Tom Kehn and Taylor Reinhard, slicing their way to success for Mentoring Children of Promise

We also want to extend another big thank you to our amazing sponsors: Gallagher, Baptist Community Ministries, Carubba Engineering, Inc., and Stonehenge Capital. Your support was the perfect assist, helping make this event a smashing success. Your support was instrumental in making this day possible.

🏓 Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana Serves Up Success!

We are thrilled to announce that our first-ever pickleball tournament, “Pickleball for Programs,” was a smashing success! 🎉

With 36 teams competing across six courts, we rallied together to support our vital programs, including Veterans Services, Mentoring Children of Promise, and more.

Check out the highlights and join us in celebrating this fantastic day of community, competition, and cause!

Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana Serves Up Success at First Pickleball Tournament: "Pickleball for Programs" We recently volleyed into new territory by hosting our inaugural pickleball tournament, “Pickleball for Programs.” The event, designed to rally community support and awareness of our diverse array of over 30 programs, saw enthusiastic participation from both novice and seasoned players. The tour...

What an incredible event over the weekend! A huge shoutout to The Exchange Pickleball + Bar for their fantastic collaboration!

Photos: Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana hosts a pickleball tournament in New Orleans

We are thrilled to announce Aytoya Albert as this week's Shining Star Award recipient. Since joining the VOASELA team, Aytoya has shown an exceptional work ethic and unwavering dedication to housing our unhoused clients.

Her commitment to building a strong team, showcasing high leadership qualities, and maintaining a strong sense of accountability makes her truly deserving of this recognition. Congratulations, Aytoya!

Our seniors at the Terraces on Tulane had so much fun showing off their skills at BINGO! 🏆 Volunteers from Robert Half assisted our residents with the game and provided the winners with scratch-offs! A huge thank you to Robert Half for their support and to our amazing seniors for making it such a fun event!

Pickleball for Programs is officially SOLD OUT!

A huge thank you to everyone who signed up to play! We can't wait to see you on the court this Saturday for an exciting tournament! 🏓

Stay tuned for updates and get ready for a fantastic day of fun and competition!

We have one spot left! Register Now!

https://www.voasela.org/event/pickleball-for-programs/

As we reflect on Juneteenth, we're reminded of the ongoing journey toward equality and the importance of education on the legacy of Juneteenth.

Let's celebrate freedom, shared histories, and the steadfast hope that underpins the American spirit.

We’re proud to stand with the Louisiana Department of Health as they expand Medicaid reimbursement eligibility to provisionally licensed mental health professionals. This innovative policy change will increase access to essential care across Louisiana, addressing the shortage of licensed mental health professionals.

Together, we’re committed to improving the mental health landscape in our communities.

ldh.la.gov

We are gearing up for Operation Backpack® sponsored by Atmos Energy! We need over 200 filled backpacks with school supplies for our Mentoring Children of Promise program. Let's make sure every child starts the school year equipped for success!

How You Can Help:

1. Donate a filled backpack.
2. Shop at our Amazon Wish List store
3. Donate online

Deadline: July 18th
Thank you for your support!
https://www.voasela.org/operationbackpack

OPERATION BACKPACK®