Stories

We recently volleyed into new territory by hosting our inaugural pickleball tournament, “Pickleball for Programs.” The event, designed to rally community support and awareness of our diverse array of over 30 programs, saw enthusiastic participation from both novice and seasoned players. The tournament’s structure was as strategic as a perfect drop shot. We categorized our programs into six groups, allowing teams to select the cause they wanted to play for. The categories were: With 36 teams taking to the six courts, the day was filled with dinks, lobs, and smashes as players of all skill levels competed for their chosen…

At Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, we believe in second chances and empowering individuals to lead fulfilling lives. Harry Bradley’s story exemplifies this mission. Written by his case manager, Kasey Tassain, this is a story of resilience and the transformative power of supportive housing. Harry had faced significant challenges, having been evicted twice due to financial difficulties from living on a very tight fixed income. Life was a constant uphill battle, and managing his expenses was overwhelming. Harry was evicted and on the street and he came to Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana with no stable place to call home….

At this year’s Vantage Point Breakfast formerly named Reach for The Stars Breakfast, held on April 24 at the Audubon Tea Room, attendees experienced a significant change from previous events. What made this gathering different was the deliberate inclusion of consumers and staff at every stage of the program. As guests settled into their seats, they found themselves amidst individuals whose lives had been profoundly impacted by Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana (VOASELA). This change from tradition was about bridging the gap between narratives shared and lived experiences. The presence of consumers added authenticity and depth to the event, offering…

Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana Teams Up with 2024 ART Conference for Veterans Community Project FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New Orleans, LA – April 10, 2024 – Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana is proud to announce its collaboration with the 2024 ART (Accessories Resource Team) Conference in New Orleans. The focus of this partnership will be the Napoleon Ave and Pitt Street Veterans Facilities, operated by Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana. This initiative underscores our ongoing commitment to serving veterans in need within our community. The ART community service project will be held at our two Veterans facilities (Oscar J. Tholmas…

At Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, we are deeply committed to serving our community with compassion and expertise. Today, a heartwarming example of this dedication unfolded at our Terraces on Tulane facility. A 44-year-old gentleman, unable to verbally communicate, wandered to our doors. Through his tattooed name and the photos on his phone, our staff quickly discerned his plight. His mother, recently discharged from the hospital after a heart attack, was unable to retrieve him after he wandered off due to her medical status. With urgency and care, our team sprang into action. Coordinating with Mobile Crisis, we ensured the…

We are thrilled to share the incredible success of our inaugural Reach for the Stars Dinner on April 3, 2024, at Orpheum Theater. The evening was dedicated to celebrating the transformative impact of our Family Focused Recovery Program and honoring those who have been instrumental in our community. Induction into the Ballington Benefactor Society One of the most significant moments of the evening was the induction ceremony for our esteemed Ballington Benefactors. We were honored to welcome Roy Carubba, Terry & Geneva Forstall, Chuck & Susan Viator, The Bollinger Family Foundation, J. Edgar Monroe Foundation, RosaMary Foundation, and Oscar J….

In honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana (VOASELA) proudly spotlights its Independent Living program and the extraordinary individuals it serves. Over four years, a tight-knit group of individuals has united to revel in a beloved American pastime—bowling. Among them stand Bobby White, Dexter Washington, Joey Hammonds, and Larry Gordon, champions of the VOASELA family for over two decades. Reflecting on his journey, Joey Hammonds expresses profound gratitude, affirming, “VOA has enabled me to relish independence.” Joey’s sentiment encapsulates the ethos of VOASELA’s Independent Living program—a commitment to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to lead enriching,…

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…

Team Depot volunteers made a difference at our Gayoso transitional housing site last month. Twenty volunteers from seven New Orleans-district Home Depot stores painted the walls and trim of the Gayoso transitional housing unit which was damaged by smoke from a kitchen fire. Team Depot not only donated the labor and materials such as brushes, rollers, ladders and drop clothes, they enlisted the help of their vendor to donate 22 gallons of Glidden paint and additional volunteers.

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…