Helping America’s Most Vulnerable
Since 1896
Since 1896, Volunteers of America’s Ministry of Service has supported and empowered America’s most vulnerable people, touching the mind, body, and spirit of those we serve. Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana addresses the most challenging issues of the day and develops innovative solutions to meet the needs of our community. Our diverse offering of more than 30 human services programs enables us to support and empower children, families, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and veterans in 16 south Louisiana parishes. Delivering lifesaving short-term as well as lifelong services to those in need, we support over 26,000 of the most underserved individuals in our community annually. As an affiliate of a leading national human service charity, Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana has a rich history and a promising future in south Louisiana.
Our Mission
Our Work of Helping America’s Most Vulnerable reflects our century-old 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 the individuals and communities we serve.
Our Vision
Our vision for Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana is to be the premier nonprofit human service provider in the quality of our programs and services, in stewardship of the resources entrusted to us, in creating new ways to serve people, in measuring our results, in managing change and planning for the future, and most of all, in living our mission of service to our community.
Impact Statement
Volunteers of America helps the most vulnerable and under-served people achieve their full potential.
We provide services that are designed locally to address specific community needs. Our common focus areas include promoting self-sufficiency for the homeless and for others overcoming personal crises, caring for the elderly and disabled and fostering their independence, and supporting positive development for troubled and at-risk children and youth. We look at the whole person and address both urgent and ongoing needs, with the goal of helping people become as self-reliant as possible.
We draw on more than a century of experience and the reach of a nationwide movement that is:
- Bonded by a commitment to faith, human dignity, and social justice;
- Dedicated to actively engaging volunteers in the community; and
- Committed to the highest quality of service.
Our Ministry: Faith in God. Ministry to Others.
CARF Accreditation
CARF Recognizes Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana’s Quality Programs
Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana has been granted a three-year accreditation by CARF International, an international nonprofit accreditor for health and human services. This is the FIFTH consecutive three-year award Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana has received.
During the three-day survey, the three-person team of surveyors reviewed 950 standards to evaluate the organization’s conformance in eleven separate programs. We were in complete compliance with 97% of these standards. The surveyors reviewed agency documentation and consumer records and interviewed stakeholders; such as persons served, families, staff, funders, partnering agencies, and board members.
The accreditation process applies sets of standards to service areas and business practices during an on-site survey. Accreditation, however, is an ongoing process, signaling to the public that a service provider is committed to continuously improving services, encouraging feedback, and serving the community. Accreditation also demonstrates a provider’s commitment to enhance its performance, manage its risk, and distinguish its service delivery.
In January 1998, the Board of Directors and staff made a commitment to pursue this accreditation as part of our mission to reach and uplift all persons and measure our success in positive change in the lives of those we serve. A grant from the Volunteers of America Endowment Fund helped us with the process. The decision to seek accreditation also sprang from our desire to provide the best services that we possibly can to our consumers. CARF accreditation is a “seal of approval” that tells others they can rely on us to do not only an effective job but a superior job.
A Message From Our President & CEO
For over 130 years, Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana has fulfilled its mission and changed the lives of the people we serve because of the generous support we receive from the community. Thank You.
Last year, our dedicated staff served more than 26,000 individuals across southeast Louisiana, providing critical support through over 30 programs. Through our our Behavioral Health Services programs, 1,270 individuals received mental health rehabilitation, counseling, and supportive housing services that empowered them to face daily challenges with confidence. In addition, more than 1,000 veterans were supported through our Veterans Services programs, helping provide housing stability, case management, and essential resources for those who have served our country. Through our Children and Family Services programs, over 500 children and families received guidance, encouragement, and life-changing support. None of this would have been possible without your generous support.
As we continue to grow our impact across Southeast Louisiana, one question remains at the center of our mission: how do we maximize the trust and support you invest in Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana?
First, we maximize your support by strengthening and sustaining the government partnerships that allow us to deliver critical services across our 16-parish region. Government grants remain the foundation of many of our programs, but they rarely cover the full cost of truly meeting the needs of the individuals and families we serve. The gap between funding and reality is where you make the difference. Because of your generosity, we are able to ensure continuity of care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, veterans facing housing instability, individuals seeking behavioral health and recovery services, children and families in crisis, and so many others who rely on us every day.
Second, we maximize your support by innovating and expanding services to meet the evolving challenges within our community. This year, we proudly opened up Canal Pointe, our new residential substance use treatment facility designed specifically for women and mothers with their children. This transformative program will provide a safe, supportive environment where women can pursue recovery without being separated from their children, helping preserve family bonds while addressing the complex challenges of substance use disorder. Canal Pointe reflects our commitment to creating compassionate, trauma-informed solutions that strengthen families and promote long-term healing and stability. In addition, we continue expanding integrated approaches to housing, behavioral health, and supportive services because we know that real transformation happens when we care for the whole person.
Third, we maximize your support by advocating for policies and resources that strengthen the communities we serve. VOASELA continues to work alongside community leaders, legislators, and partners to ensure that individuals and families across southeast Louisiana have equitable access to housing, healthcare, disability services, support, and economic opportunity. Your support gives a voice to those who are too often unheard and helps ensure that compassionate, community-centered solutions remain a priority.
At the heart of this work is our incredible team. More than 450 mission-driven employees serve as the hands and heart of Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana. Their compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment allow us to deliver measurable impact to more than 26,000 individuals each year. Together, we continue to live out the enduring mission of Volunteers of America: to go wherever we are needed and do whatever comes to hand.
I hope you feel as inspired as I do by the life-changing work taking place every day across southeast Louisiana. With your continued partnership, we will continue building stronger families, healthier communities, and brighter futures for generations to come. To learn more about volunteer opportunities or to make a gift that supports our mission, please visit VOASELA Giving Page. Your support, no matter the size, helps transform lives.
VORIS r. Vigee