2012-2013 Annual Report

Fresh Food Factor nourishes Kids From Inside out

Learn more, including ways to support the program, at freshfoodfactor.org

Fresh Food Factor, an innovative new Volunteers of America initiative, came to fruition in 2013. By providing healthy food and nutrition education to local school children and others in need, Fresh Food Factor shows Volunteers of America’s ability to start new programs to meet our community’s changing needs.

By year’s end, Fresh Factor Factor was serving healthy fare to more than 1,000 children at Lake Forest Elementary Charter School, Bricolage Academy, Christian Brothers School and Milestone SABIS Academy. Over the summer, the program also fed 275 children at six summer camp sites. Every meal is designed to be an alternative to processed food that will fight obesity and prevent long-term health threats in youngsters eating too many unhealthy foods. Fresh Food Factor plans to expand to other schools, offering a healthy approach to school lunches that helps kids grow up strong and fit.

Headquartered in a renovated 8,000 sq. ft. commercial kitchen at 1700 Tchoupitoulas St., Fresh Food Factor’s historic buildings were once home to Lykes Steamship Co. Many of the staff are aspiring culinary workers seeking new job opportunities through training provided by the program.

There’s more synergy. The site also is home to the new Centennial Place one- and two-bedroom apartments, a project of Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corp., a joint venture of our organization and Volunteers of America national. With contemporary amenities and original design elements such as terrazzo floors and an iconic Lykes logo, Centennial Place offers convenience to the CBD and French Quarter and views of the Mississippi River from its rooftop patio. Its design and technology meet green sustainability standards.

Feeding Body and Soul Volunteers of America Does It Every Day

“Food for the body is not enough. There must be food for the soul.” These words from legendary social activist Dorothy Day are as true today in south Louisiana as they were decades ago when she was changing lives. Sometimes, Volunteers of America provides actual meals. Other times, the hunger is for healing, hope, a fresh start and a better day. Either way, Volunteers of America feeds people in need with lasting nourishment that enables them to build healthier, stronger futures.

Healthy lifestyle Choices Joins

Volunteers of america Family

In a natural partnership that comes from sharing common goals, Healthy Lifestyle Choices, a 13-year-old non-profit organization that empowers youth through health-focused school curriculum and community outreach, is now a Volunteers of America program.

“Healthy Lifestyle Choices fills a vital need in our community by helping our children learn to make good decisions from an early age,” says Volunteers of America President/CEO Jim LeBlanc. “Healthy Lifestyle Choices’s programming dovetails nicely with some of our existing programs, including our Lighthouse after-school enrichment program, mentoring and Fresh Food Factor initiative to bring fresh, nutritious food into local schools.” Volunteers of America will incorporate Healthy Lifestyle Choices into several of our children’s programs.

As one of only five national comprehensive, health education elementary curriculums, specifically designed for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Healthy Lifestyle Choices programming reaches more than 80,000 children in the New Orleans area and more than 275,000 children nationwide.

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA OF greater new orleansthis is why we do what we do

James m . l e Blan C

Nurturing Lives In A Changing World

Volunteers of America has been a major charitable force for good in south Louisiana since 1896. The reason that Volunteers of America has thrived for so long is simple: We change to meet the human needs of the times.

Looking over the past year, I am reminded yet again of this truth. Over 2012-13, Volunteers of America created a new kind of program, Fresh Food Factor, to provide healthier meals to local children. This intervention will fight obesity and illness caused by poor diets. We brought an existing quality non-profit, Healthy Lifestyle Choices, into our organization. Healthy Lifestyle Choices has made a major impact in helping kids learn how to stay fit. I look forward to all the new challenges we can meet together.

There’s more to report this year. Volunteers of America is adding more services to serve veterans who are homeless. We continue to make strides in serving persons with disabilities, and we stay active in our pioneering programs of adoption, mentoring, mental illness and senior care. We’re successfully working to prevent suicide on the North Shore. We mentor children with incarcerated parents in the inner city. We do free home repair for seniors in suburban communities.

My hope is that you will join us in nurturing lives through effective programs that work. Make a donation, volunteer your time, help spread the word about Volunteers of America and how we touch lives and build community.

board of directors

Robert C. Rhoden, Jr. Chair

Wayne M. Baquet, Jr. Chair-Elect

Christy M. Howley Connois Secretary

Geoffrey C. Artiques Treasurer Thomas J. Grace Immediate Past Chair M. Isabel Barrios

District Judge Ginger Berrigan Terrence C. Forstall Matthew S. French, MD, FACS Paul Graff Nathan J. Junius Michelle Ogden Leonard D. Simmons, Jr. Tod Smith

James M. LeBlanc President/CEO

r o B ert C. rH oden, Jr.

Lasting Satisfaction From Helping Others

As an active Board of Directors member for a number of years, I am dedicated to Volunteers of America and the work this organization does to help the most vulnerable people in local communities throughout southeast Louisiana. I have witnessed Volunteers of America’s effectiveness, genuine caring and commitment to make every dollar work to change lives. Seeing how beautifully Volunteers of America transforms the lives of people who are hurting is what has kept me active, interested and eager to do more.

I now have that opportunity as Chairman of the Board of Directors. This is a great honor and responsibility. I feel privileged to serve with so many dedicated board members, who bring talent and insight to this organization. The commitment of our board members never fails to impress and inspire me.

As you look through these pages, you can see an informative snapshot of our organization. I invite you to read our success stories, learn about our new programs, take note of the large numbers of people we serve and how fiscally stable and prudent we are in managing a wide array of different programs that work in many areas.

I would like to offer sincere thanks to everyone in this organization—leaders, directors, staff, volunteers and supporters—who made the last year such a success in changing the lives of those who need help the most. All of us working together make a real difference.

Mission

Volunteers of America is a movement organized to reach and uplift all people and bring them to the knowledge and active service of God.

Volunteers of America, illustrating the presence of God through all that we do, serves people and communities in need and creates opportunities for people to experience the joy of serving others. Volunteers of America measures its success in positive change in the lives of individuals and communities we serve.

message F rom t H e B oard CH a I r

success

James and linda—repairs on wheels Builds ramp

Linda Marsalis, who lives in Jefferson Parish, was diagnosed several years ago with a neurological disorder. She is slowly losing use of her extremities and recently became dependent on a wheelchair. Marsalis was no longer able to work as a nurse, and her husband James became her caregiver.

In the midst of this tragic illness, small things became insurmountable problems. In her wheelchair, Marsalis was unable to navigate her home’s front steps, which made leaving the house an ordeal.

James didn’t know where to turn to get a ramp. He sought advice from the Jefferson Council on Aging, which referred him to Volunteers of America’s Repairs on Wheels program, which provides ramps and minor home repairs to senior homeowners. Within a month, the Repairs on Wheels team built the ramp at their home. Linda can now easily get in and out of the house, and the couple is enjoying simple pleasures such as going out to dinner.

Volunteers of America was able to offer even more help to the couple. The Repairs on Wheels team brought in youth volunteers from World Changers, a faith-based mission trip organization, who painted the ramp and power-washed and painted the home’s exterior.

The couple says receiving help from Repairs on Wheels lifted their spirits. They felt such gratitude they decided to donate Linda’s car to Volunteers of America. In return, we appreciate their generosity. It has been an honor to help you, James and Linda.

P eo P le ser V ed

Children and Family services

Intellectual disability services

elderly services

Health services

mental Health services

Veterans services

lance Bryant—Veteran In Crisis rebuilds life

Many veterans who honorably served our country have trouble adjusting to civilian life. Hundreds of veterans live homeless on the streets of New Orleans. Lance Bryant used to be there himself.

Bryant was a gifted high school athlete who attended LSU. He joined the Navy, where he spent five years as a “yell man” on an aircraft carrier.

After an honorable discharge, Bryant moved back to Louisiana and worked in the hospitality industry. He then experienced several life-changing events—his parents divorced and his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Bryant became his father’s sole caregiver, a situation that led to multiple stresses. His savings were depleted, and he became depressed and diagnosed with adjustment disorder. When Bryant’s father went into an assisted living facility, Bryant became homeless.

scott songy—man with disabilities learns to Use abilities

He lived on the streets for a few months before the Veterans Administration referred him to Volunteers of America’s Veterans Transitional Housing Facility on Napoleon Avenue. There, Bryant found shelter and support services, and he took advantage of every opportunity— the finance class provided by Capital One and work readiness re-integration program. He attended job fairs and used a bus pass to search for jobs. He found one—security guard at the Superdome. After one week, he was promoted to a supervisory position. Bryant is saving everything he can so that he can move into his own place.

The Veterans Transitional Housing Facility gives men such as Bryant a safe place to live and all the help needed to rebuild their lives. Without it, Bryant believes he would still be on the streets. Now, he says he feels like a human being again.

success stories

Scott Songy was a healthy active young man, a high school football and baseball star who worked with his family’s appliance business in Metairie.

Then, suddenly, at age 20, his life was altered forever. On a trip to Pensacola Beach, a big wave flipped him over and knocked his head into the ocean floor. Songy was paralyzed from the neck down.

His injury required 67 days of intensive care unit treatment. His devoted family was by his side, and, when he was released, he moved into his parents’ home. His mother became his caregiver. Songy was devastated and stayed inside for two years.

After several years, Songy’s mother realized she needed help in caring for her son. The state’s disabilities service program connected the family to Volunteers of America. Our Supported Living Services Program provides support to persons with disabilities like Songy to help them live as independently as possible. Volunteers of America provided Songy a personal care attendant named Daniel to help with his daily needs.

Daniel comes to Songy’s home daily to help him get ready for the day. Daniel also gets Songy out of the house and helps with his medical needs. He also has improved Songy’s outlook and helped him see that he can live a meaningful life with his disabilities. Songy no longer stays inside. In fact, he has new interests, including starting a company called Cajun Custom Chairs, which creates personalized wheelchairs that, in his words, “make life in a wheelchair cool.”

Without our Supported Living Services program, Songy and his parents would still be overwhelmed by his disability. Now, he is able to live his life to the fullest.

Jonathan—Young man with mental Illness Finds stability

Life can be challenging for persons with mental illness and their families. Getting proper medical care and support often proves daunting.

A local man named Jonathan experienced these challenges. His life revolved around psychiatric hospitalizations and time in jail. He had little hope things would change.

During a recent stay in Southeast Louisiana Hospital, Jonathan was referred to Volunteers of America’s Mental Health Services program, which provides case management and other help designed to enable persons to live stable, meaningful lives.

Volunteers of America’s case manager spent time building trust with Jonathan while he was hospitalized. When Jonathan was discharged, his case manager stayed as close as a guardian angel. One challenge Jonathan faced was that he did not believe he had a mental illness that required medication. Despite these feelings, the case manager continued to support Jonathan. Soon, Jonathan began keeping his mental health appointments and taking his medications.

The case manager helped Jonathan find an apartment and parttime job. Today, Jonathan is more stable than he has ever been, and he is even improving his relationships with family and friends. The encouraging news is that Jonathan has remained out of the hospital for more than 14 months. Before joining the Volunteers of America program, the longest recent period that he was able to stay out of the hospital was six weeks. Jonathan continues to do well, enjoying life and making plans for his future.

giving back

extending a Hand Up: Helping Veterans Prepare to enter the Job market

Our Job Readiness program helps formerly homeless veterans find and keep jobs. The 12-session program, presented with the help of valued volunteers, offers help with resume writing, interviewing, finding opportunities and more. At a graduation ceremony are, front row from left, volunteers David Garic and Susan Salamone, Thomas Jeffords, William Hecker, Derek Moore and volunteers Ashley Palmer and Martha Huie. Back row from left are Edward Tripp, Gregory Lirette, President/CEO Jim LeBlanc, Lance Bryant, William Black and volunteers Tracey McDade and Robert Billings. Congratulations to these veterans and special thanks to all the volunteers who helped them rebuild their lives.

Support $ 1,567,515 $1,533,353 United Way 56,073 136,908

and Contracts 19,967,529 21,527,151 Program Fees 909,840 850,841

Income 274,471 353,101

Fee Income 2,234,937 2,106,702

Sales 400,413 430,603 Other 2,769,919 2,444,810 total revenue $28,180,697

P

and Youth $3,250,933 $2,885,907 Community Enhancement 141,368 181,604 Correctional Services 1,721,475 1,740,226 Disabilities Services 8,958,992 8,887,802 Disaster/Emergency Services 0 44,036 Elderly Services 1,387,046 1,388,695 Health Care Services 284,065 373,028 Homeless Services 2,893,209 2,918,475 Housing 5,314,670 4,027,746 Mental Health 42,302 463,818 total Program services 23,994,060 22,911,337 total support services 3,660,654 3,398,333 total operating expenses 27,654,714 26,309,670 Non-Operating Activity 913,598 -1,754,795 Change in net assets 1,439,581 1,319,004 net assets beginning of year 32,689,538 26,335,893 Capital Contributions -219,832 5,034,641 net assets end of year $33,909,287 $32,689,538

Balance Sheet

Current

Angelique Koenig, a Tulane graduate student in social work, volunteers to help seniors at our Terraces on Tulane apartments.

a ngel I q U e Koen I g

Brightening the lives of seniors

We have volunteer opportunities for individuals, youth, seniors and groups that match your interests and schedule. Learn more or apply at www.voagno.org.

The heroes of Volunteers of America are the volunteers. Our organization couldn’t serve people in need without the essential contributions of our volunteers. Last year, more than 750 volunteers gave their time and energies to those we serve. One of those is Angelique Koenig.

Volunteering weekly for more than a year at the Terraces on Tulane affordable housing development, Koenig is working towards her masters in social work at Tulane University and plans to pursue a career in elderly services. Volunteering at the Terraces enables her to help others in need and gives her great career preparation. She reaches out to residents in a variety of ways—helping them tidy up, checking their mail and handling home projects difficult for seniors.

Koenig says it’s satisfying to help seniors with tasks, but the personal connections make volunteering enjoyable.

“She’s a good listener, a sweet, sweet girl, and a wonderful person,” said resident Barbara Steiner. “We talk about our pets and girl things like shopping. And, before she leaves she always asks if there is anything else that she can do for me!” Thank you, Angela, for all you do to help seniors.

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