Visions Newsletter Summer 2022

You Helped Aaron Find His Forever Home

Conner and Madison were able to fulfill their dreams of being parents through adoption.

Conner and Madison met when they were in middle school, but they quickly knew that they wanted to be married and create a life together. Without question, children were going to be part of the plan.

The two married after college and moved to New Orleans in 2017. By the end of that year, they agreed that they were ready to start a family. Unfortunately, they were not able to conceive. Disillusioned, the only hope they were given was the prospect of in vitro fertilization treatments, which were unbelievably expensive and gave no guarantees of success. They learned of Volunteers of America’s Adoption and Maternity program and were about to have their home study, a critical first step in the adoption process, in January 2020...but COVID put everything on hold. Not deterred, they connected with the program manager, Lori Arceneaux. She kept them focused and informed and calmed their nerves.

“I remember Lori telling us, ‘It’s not if you become parents, but when,’” said Conner. “Her words, and knowing God had a plan for us, kept us going throughout the process.”

The wait would end on April 12, 2021, when Conner and Madison received a call from Lori that a baby boy was born. Over the next two weeks, the couple met the birth mom, a moment they will always cherish, and she chose them to be the baby’s parents. Their family was complete when baby Aaron came home on May 16th. Now, over a year old, Conner and Madison can’t remember what life was like before Aaron’s arrival.

Thanks to your support, babies like Aaron are finding their forever families right here in southeast Louisiana.

Tod Smith

Your Support Makes The Work Possible

The opportunity to serve as the Chairperson for the Board of Directors at Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana has been an incredible honor; I have had the pleasure to serve as a board member since 2013 and contribute to a team that does God’s work here on earth every day in the communities we serve.

I know that Volunteers of America will continue to grow as an organization under its President & CEO, Voris Vigee. The Board is a steady force for this expansion and manages the daily challenges while keeping us moving forward into the future. A future that seems to change every day.

I am excited to welcome two new board members, Charique L. Richardson of Digital Innovation Media Group, and David P. Vicknair of Scott Vicknair, LLC. I am excited to have Charique’s and David’s talent, expertise and energy added to our existing board to help further our mission.

Please enjoy these amazing stories of hope. Without you, our organization's great work in our community and state would not be possible! Have a wonderful summer and thank you again for being part of the Volunteers of America family!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tod Smith Chair

S. Chuck Viator Chair-Elect

Stephen C. Schrempp Treasurer

Rupa Jolly, DDS Secretary

Christy Howley Connois Immediate Past Chair

Louis Colin, Sr. Thomas J. McGoey, II Victoria Adams Phipps Charique L. Richardson Christy N. Ross Lynn E. Swanson Michelle Treschwig, CPA David P. Vicknair

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.

Tod Smith

Mentoring Can Change Everyone’s Life

Hitting it off over a love of baseball forges a lasting bond.

The Mentoring Children of Promise program pairs children of an incarcerated parent with a caring, adult mentor to help navigate life and to be a positive role model in a child’s life. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, this program has changed the lives of not only the children served but the mentors, too.

Five years ago, David learned of the Mentoring Children of Promise program and decided to sign up for one year. He had some time and felt that he had something worthwhile to share with a child who needed another adult in their life. Little did David know, this one year would quickly turn into a lifelong friendship with Jae’Juan, who was in 7th grade at the time.

The two met and connected over a love of baseball. They would meet a few times a month and toss the ball around and speak about things happening in both their lives. When it was time for Jae’Juan to start visiting high schools, David went along on the visits.

Jae’Juan started high school and continued to have David by his side to help him navigate this new experience. COVID hit during Jai’Juan’s sophomore year, and their weekly visits ended. The two really missed seeing each other. To be honest, David said that he thinks he missed their time together more than Jai’Juan! David knew he had to come up with an alternative way to “see” Jai’Juan so they started using Facetime.

Now, five years later, Jai’Juan will begin his college journey in the fall at LSU. At his high school graduation, David was at the ceremony cheering right next to Jai’Juan’s family! David is no longer just a mentor; he is part of Jai’Juan’s family. David is looking forward to visiting Jai’Juan in Baton Rouge and we are sure the two will catch a few baseball games next spring at Alex Box Stadium.

Are you or someone you know interested in becoming a mentor like David? Currently, we have 33 children waiting for a mentor. Please visit www.voasela.org/mentoringchildren-of-promise to sign up.

Without intervention, 70% of children with a parent in prison will one day find themselves behind bars.

You Helped Keep Our Residents Safe And Secure

Group homes will stay powered up with whole house generators.

Living in southeast Louisiana, we have all experienced our share of storms that cause power outages either from ice, wind, or rain. Add in the threat of tropical storms and hurricanes during the peak of summer, and the loss of power can be inconvenient at best or even deadly at worst.

When Hurricane Ida made her presence known last September, our Community Living Services and Supported Living Services programs, which serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, quickly evacuated over 125 residents to Texas. The people we serve were safe and cared for by the dedicated staff of Direct Support Professionals or DSPs.

We know that we are more likely to lose power than experience a powerful hurricane. Knowing this, we made the decision to install whole house generators at four of our seven group homes. This will allow for our residents and their caregivers to be safe and well should the power go out for a short period of time.

The Olympia and Constance group homes in New Orleans and the Craft group home in Algiers were three locations selected. Olympia and Constance are two of the largest homes in the metro area and can help house residents from the other three homes in New Orleans should the need arise. Craft was selected because it currently has residents who are more medically dependent on power and would give us a location on the westbank of the river. The last house chosen was the Creekwood home in Hammond. It is the largest of all the homes and was custom built to fill the needs of the people we serve. We can easily relocate New Orleans residents to Hammond should the need arise.

Without the generous support of donors such as yourself, we could not have made this investment in the safety of some of the most vulnerable people we serve. You help make our residents feel safe and cared for each day by giving us your support.

“...the threat of tropical storms and hurricanes during the peak of summer, and the loss of power can be inconvenient at best or even deadly at worst. ”

New Affordable Houses Are Coming To South Louisiana

Construction is nearing completion on three new affordable housing options.

The team at Renaissance Neighborhood Development, Corp. (RNDC), a subsidiary of Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana and Volunteers of America National Services, has been working hard to create safe and affordable housing options for the residents of Louisiana.

St. John Village is nearing completion in North Covington. This property features affordable 2- and 3-bedroom single family houses for rent, near our existing Groves at Mile Branch apartment homes. Both properties incorporate the surrounding greenery and provide residents a tranquil and safe location to live. 48 of the 80 houses at St. John Village have already been leased.

Valencia Park features 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments. It is situated on one of Baton Rouge’s oldest neighborhoods, the historic Spanish Town. It brings 122-units of stylish and affordable housing to one of Baton Rouge’s most eclectic communities, steeped in history. They are currently accepting applications for residents at this beautiful property.

Lastly, Motor City Apartments is a 110unit affordable housing complex that takes up an entire city block in Baton Rouge. This property incorporates the historic Motor Exchange Building, which is being turned into an administrative and residential activity center. Residents will soon be able to tour the property and submit applications.

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.

Because of extraordinary compassion she brings to her volunteer work, RSVP of St. Tammany volunteer Mabel was named the recipient of the first annual Frank St. Romain Standout Service Award from the Northshore Food Bank. Mabel regularly delivered food boxes to three sisters who have been living in a FEMA trailer since Hurricane Katrina. Mable put into motion the sisters’ biggest blessing and their dream of a new home began to unfold. Last fall, they made their move into their brand-new home in downtown Covington.

We are so grateful for the generous support that the Oscar J. Tolmas Veterans Pavilion received from the Spirit of 76 Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. They presented a check to go towards programs for formerly homeless veterans living in one of our two transitional housing locations.

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!

Our Community Living Services program, which serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, recently announced that Brenda Kent was selected as the Direct Support Professional of the year. Brenda has been with Volunteers of America for 6 years and works at the Creekwood home in Hammond. She is always there to lend a hand and is a true team player who takes pride in her work. The residents love Brenda as much as she loves them.

U.S.

Permit No. 1716 New Orleans, LA

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

Join Us for the 30th Annual GolfStar Classic

SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 • TPC LOUISIANA

For 30 years, adoptive families and community leaders have been gathering for this opportunity to create forever families. 100% of all revenue from the tournament goes to the Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana Adoption & Maternity Program and ensures that we can continue to counsel birth parents and adoptive parents, provide support groups, and place children in loving homes.