Visions Newsletter Spring 2022

QUICK FACTS

The suicide rate for veterans is 1.5 times higher than that of the general population.

You Helped Eric Overcome His Depression and Get Back on His Feet

The Army veteran regained his life after struggling with the sudden death of a loved one.

U.S. Army veteran Eric has always taken care of others.

First, he served on the 38th parallel on the border of North and South Korea to defend our freedom.

The military taught Eric to be selfless, so when he returned home to New Orleans, he spent all his time at the side of his dying mother. When she passed away, he had three younger sisters and two younger brothers who needed wisdom and guidance now that

their mother was gone. He didn’t have time to grieve. The caretaking didn’t stop. He provided roundthe-clock care to the parents of the love of his life, Lisa. When they passed away, all Eric had left was Lisa, but her sudden death pushed him over the edge.

“She was my world,” Eric says. “My soulmate. I was broken. I felt like I had no reason to live. I needed help.”

Eric slid into a deep depression, and that’s when Volunteers of America stepped in.

He stayed at the Oscar J. Tolmas Veterans Pavilion on Napoleon Avenue, where he got the help he needed. Eric worked to overcome his depression and helped maintain the facility. He had a purpose again.

The VA provides all veterans 24 months of transitional housing as part of their benefits, which meant that Eric could truly work on what he needed to get better.

And now, Eric’s story has a happy ending as he recently moved into his own apartment. He’s smiling again.

Thanks to your support, veterans like Eric will have a place to call home when they have nowhere else to turn.

The VA provides all veterans 24 months of transitional housing as part of their benefits, which meant that Eric could truly work on what he needed to get better.

PRESIDENT

Voris R. Vigee

CEO MESSAGE

Thank You For Supporting Those Most In Need

Spring will be turning into summer soon and I hope the year has been treating you well. It appears that more things are getting “back to normal” after living during a pandemic for over two years. Earlier this year, I celebrated my first-year anniversary as President and CEO, and 27th year with Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana. I have never been prouder to represent the hard working and dedicated employees we have serving the more than 61,000 people in our community each year.

Volunteers of America’s mission is to help our most vulnerable neighbors, and we have been doing that in southeast Louisiana for 126 years. Your support allows us to create hope for those who need it most.

Our programs that are designed to help those with intellectual and developmental disabilities maintain their independence and grow to their fullest potential, has been a beacon of hope to so many in our community. Inside this issue, you will learn how Wilson came to be one of our new residents at the Iberville Community Group Home after Hurricane Ida. Here, he lives with seven other men and receives 24-hour care.

Later this month, we will observe Memorial Day, which honors the ultimate sacrifices that men and women in our armed services have made for our freedom. One of the programs we offer to veterans is transitional housing for veterans who are experiencing homelessness. As you learned on our cover story, Eric just needed a chance to regroup and refocus after life gave him a few setbacks. We are grateful to our many founders, like the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust, for supporting our Veteran Services programs.

Your support makes a big difference in our community, and I want to say “thank you” for always being a supporter our mission. It was great seeing so many of you at our Reach for The Stars breakfast. Can you believe that we had not met since May 2019? It was wonderful to share stories of success with nearly 400 of you. Your support and dedication to our mission is reaffirming that we are doing God’s work.

Thank you for all that you do for Volunteers of America, and I am grateful for your support.

Voris R. Vigee

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tod Smith Chair Stephen C. Schrempp Chair-Elect

S. Chuck Viator Treasurer

Rupa Jolly, DDS Secretary

Christy Howley Connois Immediate Past Chair

Louis Colin, Sr. Thomas J. McGoey, II Victoria Adams Phipps Christy N. Ross Lynn E. Swanson Michelle Treschwig, CPA

Voris R. Vigee President & CEO

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.

When Opportunity Knocked, Ed Rolled Right In

Retired chemist finds ways to stay active and help his fellow seniors maintain their independence one ride at a time.

A lifelong resident of New Orleans, and proud Jesuit High School and Spring Hill graduate, Ed spent his professional career as a chemist for US Customs Lab. Upon retiring to St. Tammany parish, he learned through a neighbor about Volunteers of America’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of St. Tammany (RSVP).

Ed stepped in while his neighbor was on vacation and helped with the RSVP transportation program. The RSVP Transportation program supports local seniors who need rides to doctor’s visits, appointments, and even a grocery store or pharmacy trip—anything that helps keep them independent. The drivers are all RSVP volunteers who are age 55+.

Ed has been a mainstay in the program since 2003 and shows no sign of slowing down! His wife, Mary Ann, is also an RSVP volunteer, and works as a court appointed youth advocate through Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

Ed has made many friends through the RSVP program and says that the gratitude displayed by the riders is heartwarming and that being capable of helping someone in need

reminds him of how blessed he is. For these reasons he always looks forward to his next assignment. If you live in St. Tammany parish, are age 55 or older, and have the time and ability to participate in the transportation program, Ed urges you to do so and says, “If you don’t give being an RSVP driver a try, you may be denying yourself a wonderful experience.”

Ed has made many friends through the RSVP program and says that the gratitude displayed by the riders is heartwarming and that being capable of helping someone in need reminds him of how blessed he is.

From Prison To The Classroom, Brennan Is Making A Difference In Central City

Former convicted felon established a new beginning at the Residential Reentry Center.

Nearly eleven years ago, Brennan, now 33, was sentenced to federal prison for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. That’s where his story should have ended. Now, he is finishing his third year as a math teacher, teaching arithmetic and life lessons to his middle school students.

Growing up in New Orleans’ St. Thomas projects, Brennan saw young men just like him, traumatized by poverty and violence, and invariably sucked into a world of drugs and guns, spending most of their lives cycling in and out of prison. Or they were shot to death, he says.

Brennan found himself among them— incarcerated at a young age, seemingly with no future. But that’s where his life took an unexpected turn. After serving his federal sentence, he was sent to finish out his

federal sentence at Volunteers of America’s Residential Reentry Center, also known as a halfway house. Here, case workers helped Brennan get the mental and physical care needed to successfully reintegrate and establish himself in society. They encouraged him to tap into his strengths. He always enjoyed numbers, so he pursued a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. After graduation, he got a job as an assistant math teacher and basketball coach at Phillis Wheatley School. Today, he teaches math to eighth graders,

working primarily with those traumatized by violence, and at risk of falling prey to the same temptations that temporarily derailed his own life.

Brennan knows he’s been given a rare second chance. It’s an opportunity he treasures and does not intend to waste. And he hopes that in telling his story, he can serve as both a cautionary tale for his students, and a source of inspiration.

What does he want his students to take away from his story? Hope, Brennan says, that the violence they have seen does not define them.

Wilson Finds His New Family With Volunteers Of America

Hurricane Ida destroyed his home, but you helped him find a new one.

Hurricane Ida took a toll on so many people in southeast Louisiana, including Wilson.

When a tree fell on his home, his life changed forever. He was homeless, and that’s when Volunteers of America’s Community Living Services stepped in.

Wilson was at a shelter in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center when our staff found him. At that point, he had been shuffled around from shelter to shelter since his home was destroyed. So many things you and I take for granted, such as family, stability, and a safe environment, were not possible for Wilson. He was shy and reserved, but our Iberville Community Home staff welcomed him with open arms.

Seven Community Living Group homes serve 54 people in our region.

Wilson’s transition was not easy. When he first moved in, he was very standoffish with everyone, but it’s amazing what a little kindness can do for those in need.

The staff made sure he received the attention and care he needed, and they made sure he never missed a meal! Now, he’s displaying more of his personality to both staff and his roommates. Wilson loves being outside and doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty.

Although he’s a man of few words, the smile on his face when he saw his new bed spoke volumes. He found a place where he belongs.

Thanks to your support, Wilson has found a sense of family, dignity, confidence, strength, and encouragement that he needs to live a meaningful, happy life.

Wilson’s transition was not easy. When he first moved in, he was very standoffish with everyone, but it’s amazing what a little kindness can do for those in need.

For over 5 years, Darlene has been mentoring three sisters in our Mentoring Children of Promise program. Despite the pandemic, our MCP program continues to match mentees with caring adult mentors who provide a positive, adult influence in their lives.

Each year, our Auto Donation program provides critical funding that goes directly to the general budget, which funds more than 20 social service programs to help America’s most vulnerable. It’s as easy as calling (504)525-2179 and setting up your vehicle donation today!

PORTRAITS of GRATITUDE —How many ways can Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana serve the community? As many ways as there are generous supporters and volunteers. Thanks to all who help make a real difference.

Residents of the Tulane Single Room Occupancy enjoyed a pre-Mother’s Day celebration earlier this month. They had a buffet available for guests and families were able to celebrate their mom and show their appreciation for their support and love over the years.

Louise in our Supported Living Services program took advantage of a clear and windy day to dust off her favorite kite. Both she and her Direct Support Professional enjoy taking some time to relax and enjoy Lake Pontchartrain.

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4152 Canal Street New Orleans, LA 70119 (504)482-2130 | (504)482-1922 fax www.voasela.org

Reach For The Stars Breakfast

We are so thankful to all our sponsors that helped make the Reach For the Stars breakfast a success in April 2022. Because of all the support we get, we can continue to help more than 61,000 men, women, and children in southeast Louisiana each year.

DIAMOND PRESENTING SPONSORS: Viator Wealth Management Group, LLC; Atmos Energy; Biz New Orleans; and TruWealth Advisors.

PLATINUM SPONSORS: HUB International; Imperial Trading; and Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company.

GOLD SPONSORS: Ochsner Employer Solutions; The Colin Family Organization; Enterprise Community Partners; and Investar Bank.