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…

Rickey, an Army veteran who served in West Germany during the 1980s, is no stranger to challenges. Following his military service, he tried a number of vocational pursuits—carpenter, welder, even deckhand—finally settling into driving a taxicab in 2003. About a year ago, a hunting accident severely injured Rickey’s foot. Suddenly, he was unable to drive and had no livelihood. Financial and emotional hardships followed. Without nearby relatives or close friends to support him, Rickey found himself homeless. Fortunately, the VA hospital referred Rickey to Volunteers of America’s Veterans Transitional Housing program facility on Napoleon Avenue, where he could live and…

The sacrifice, the struggle, the strength are a few words of the many that describes this war veteran, Andre Hill. He was born to Mr. and Mrs. Hill in a small town – the eldest of three. In March of 1998, the sacrifice began for Hill. He served faithfully three years in the United States Army. With this experience and exposure to the big world came the ability to try and do many new things, both good and bad. But his exposure to crack and alcohol would ultimately change his life forever. Seeking treatment off and on for many years…

Robert, a former Army mechanic, served our country in the late 1970’s. His difficulties began after his mother died. He had lived with her as primary caregiver over her five-year illness. Robert was devastated, and then had to leave the family home because of conflict with his sister. He lost his driver’s license because of DUIs and had trouble getting to work. Faced with no income and no home, Robert turned to Volunteers of America. Though devastated, he was positive and determined to regain self-sufficiency. The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program helped Robert find a job as a security guard, and…

Frequently Asked Questions What is “openness” in adoption? Openness in adoption means that all parties involved share information and work together to ensure a healthy, positive future for the baby. Openness eases the natural anxieties and fears of the unknown that birth parents, adoptive parents and eventually the child may face. The level of openness varies with each adoption, based on the wishes of the birth parents and the adoptive parents.  With openness in adoption, how does a birth parent participate in the baby’s life? Openness in adoption generally means that birth parents choose the adoptive couple who will raise…

There are more than one million couples in the United States facing infertility, and Volunteers of America works with many of those couples who wish to adopt. Our staff ensures that each adoptive family can meet the physical, emotional and financial needs of the adopted child. International and Domestic Adoption Home Study: We conduct an in-depth home study for families using our agency as well as private (attorney) adoption. A home study can typically be completed within three months. Adoption home studies consist of three interviews, personal references, autobiography information, local and state criminal background clearance, state child abuse clearance,…

Facing an unplanned pregnancy can be a confusing and overwhelming time for many women. Volunteers of America supports a woman’s choice to place her child for adoption or parent her child. We believe to make an informed decision about her pregnancy, a woman needs to fully understand her options. Below are services we provide to birth parents to help them make a well-informed decision. Confidential Counseling: Through counseling, a trained, licensed social worker presents all options available and a woman can explore alternatives and resources to make the best plan for her child. Adoption is recognized as a positive, loving…

Louisiana has one of the country’s highest rates of incarceration, with one in every 55 persons behind bars, according to Pew Center research. When parolees are added, the number rises to one in 26. Thousands of local children have an imprisoned parent, and each experiences common vulnerabilities and disruptions. Every child has his or her own story and Mentoring Children of Promise recognizes that although there are common losses, each child must be viewed as unique with their own potential. Volunteers of America teaches mentors, who agree to spend at least two hours a week with their mentees, how to connect…

38,000 Hours of Community Service Celebrated In an early celebration of National Volunteer Week (April 15-22), Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana’s RSVP Volunteers gathered for an annual recognition luncheon celebrating more than 38,000 hours of community service in 2018. The RSVP luncheon was held at the Fleur de Lis Event Center in Mandeville, on Saturday, April 7, 2018. The Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana RSVP Volunteers are a select group of volunteers 55 years of age and older who use their time, skills and life experiences to help meet critical needs across St. Tammany Parish. Without the RSVP Volunteers, many…

Sometimes small changes bring big results. Our Repairs on Wheels staff sees it happen every day. This Volunteers of America program, which completes home remodeling for the elderly and persons with disabilities, helps people live with greater dignity and safety. Our licensed contractor and his staff have been transforming lives in this way for the past six years. Every now and then, a person they help really touches the hearts of the crew. Mr. Guillot was one of those. At age 58 and paralyzed by an accident more than 30 years ago, Mr. Guillot lives in a small basement apartment…