HOUSING MANAGEMENT SERVICES

New Affordable Homes Available in South Louisiana

Over 1,000 new homes have been created.

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

RNDC’s goal, when it was created in 2006, was to replace 1,000 apartments of affordable housing destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. With the completion of three new properties in the last six months, RNDC has surpassed its goal and isn’t stopping any time soon!

ST. JOHN VILLAGE in north Covington opened last September and features affordable 2- and 3-bedroom single family houses for rent, near our existing complex The Groves at Mile Branch apartment homes. This property made a point to incorporate surrounding greenery and provide residents with a tranquil and safe location to live close to schools, hospitals, and shopping areas.

VALENCIA PARK opened last October and features 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments. It is situated in one of Baton Rouge’s oldest neighborhoods, the historic Spanish Town. Bringing 122-apartmetns of stylish and affordable housing to one of Baton Rouge’s most eclectic and historic communities. Applications are still being accepted for this beautiful property.

MOTOR CITY APARTMENTS , located in Baton Rouge, is the latest addition to the RNDC portfolio and opened its doors in late May. This expansive property, which features 110 affordable housing apartments, takes up an entire city block in Baton Rouge and incorporates the historic Motor Exchange Building into its architectural design. Residents may enjoy a swimming pool, fitness center, community space, secure parcel service, and off-street parking.

Motor City was built with safety in mind and has not only achieved multi-family Fortified Gold certification, but also Hurricane Gold certification. Fortified is a voluntary construction program designed to strengthen buildings against sever weather such as high winds, hail, hurricanes and even tornadoes. In addition, Motor City Apartments attained Enterprise Green Community certification, acknowledging its commitment to incorporating resiliency and eco-friendly features.

Corey Found the Answer He Needed

Serving the body and soul of the people served.

Since 2019, Corey has been a part of the Volunteers of America family as a person served in our Supported Living Services programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Though he tends to be shy when you first meet him, Corey will quickly bring you up to speed on his favorite topic: video games and fashion.

Over the years, Corey has worked with several Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). Recently, Corey spoke of his regrets and mistakes that he felt he made throughout his life, and these thoughts were weighing heavy on him. He said he did not know what to do, but he remembers what someone once told him, “The only way you could be lifted up was to commit to follow Christ.”

So, with the help of his DSP Michelle, Corey began going to church with her every Sunday. Corey enjoyed the teaching of the word and started to look forward to his Sunday mornings. One Sunday morning during alter call, Corey made the decision to walk down the aisle to profess Jesus Christ as his Savior.

On May 21, 2023, he was baptized at Grace and Glory Family Worship Church International under the leadership of Eileen and Mark Johnson. Corey said that he feels like a different person, and he feels good about the decision he made. He is grateful to Michelle for seeing his need and finding a way to make him feel worthy of the Lord.

In addition to being one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive human services organizations, Volunteers of America is an interdenominational church—a church with a distinctive ministry of service. Faith in God and ministry to others, is at the heart of our organization. For more than 127 years, Volunteers of America has provided essential services to heal both the body and soul.

Jes’Zahre is Focused on Her Future

You helped forge a lasting bond with her mentor.

Jes’Zahre isn’t very different than most 14-year-old girls. She loves fashion, is very inquisitive, and hopes to someday become a traveling nurse. She also struggles with a few behavioral health issues that resulted in her being placed in an alternative school setting. Her head of school felt that Jes’Zahre would benefit from a mentoring program and recommended Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana’s Mentoring Children of Promise program to her mother, who agreed.

Jes’Zahre was matched with her mentor Hannah last fall and the two have been inseparable ever since! “They are like two halves that found the other side,” Jes’Zahre’s mother said.

Hannah knows firsthand the difference a caring adult mentor can make in a child’s life. Her mother’s work as a social worker with incarcerated and recently released individuals profoundly influenced Hannah’s choice to be a mentor and work with children who have been affected in this area. Although she aspired to become a social worker like her mother, she has since chosen a career as a professional photographer.

Jes’Zahre’s mother said that the two girls just clicked. She isn’t sure if it is Hannah’s age or her compassionate demeanor, but Hannah understands Jes’Zahre’s struggles and can be the sounding board she needs at this phase in her life. “Hannah is Godsent,” said her mother.

age or her compassionate but Hannah understands Jes’Zahre’s struggles and can be the sounding board she needs at this phase in her life.”

Since the pair have been together, Jes’Zahre has calmed down tremendously and is more focused. One way Hannah has helped with this focus is by using workouts as a method to set goals and to help her understand that “sometimes you have to work your way to a reward instead of just being handed a spa trip.” s As mentioned earlier, Valencia Park is one of the newest properties in housing our portfolio. We are excited to share that its been selected as a Silver Award Finalist in the Affordable Housing category of the 2023 Aurora Awards, which will be presented by Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) at its annual awards ceremony in July. Established in 1979, Aurora Awards are presented annually to outstanding builders, planners, architects, developers, designers, interior merchandisers and other housing-related professionals. We are grateful to Humphreys & Partners Architects for creating a wonderful product and our nomination for this award.

Because of generous donors like you, we can place at-risk children with trained adult mentors like Hannah. Your help is impacting lives and the community you live in.

GiveNOLA Day 2023 was a success, thanks to the generosity of people like you! This year, Volunteers of America raised more than $3,027 from 34 donors. Those gifts will allow us to continue our mission to serve and uplift vulnerable populations and for others to experience the joy of serving. We serve over 28,000 people annually, including: children & families, veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, individuals experiencing homelessness, formerly incarcerated persons and those struggling with addiction.

Each year, our Auto Donation program provides critical funding that goes directly to the general budget, which funds more than 30 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!

Recently Denise Lee was selected and honored as the 2023 Louisiana Direct Support Professional of the Year by the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR). For over 29 years, Denise has served people with intellectual and developmental disabilities of southeast Louisiana. Denise was the first to enroll in a college program certifying Direct Support Professional Competency. With this education, Denise has trained other team members to support and advocate for others in our community. It is only fitting that she be recognized for all she has contributed and for every life she changed. Congratulations, Denise!