April is National Volunteer Month, and throughout the month we have been recognizing the contributions of our dedicated and selfless volunteers. While Volunteers of America is comprised of nearly 500 paid staff members, community volunteers are an indispensable part of the work we do. We are fortunate to have a partnership with the Americorps VISTA program which provides… Read More
Senior Living: Independent, Interconnected
Sandra Smith, at age 63, attends many concerts and football games. She works as an usher at the Superdome, and her part-time occupation suits her lighthearted, helpful nature perfectly. Sandra understands how important living independently is, so three days a week she travels to Volunteers of America’s senior adult living facility on Tulane Avenue to… Read More
Share Your Volunteer Story!
2015 has arrived, and no doubt you’ve made ambitious plans for the year to come. We know you’re going to be awesome this year! But, chances are, you were great in 2014 too! Did you, or someone you know, volunteer with us last year? Tell us about the experience. Write in with your story (or someone else’s)… Read More
Adoption Helps Families Grow & Blossom
We are proud to share the story of staff member Lori Arceneaux North, LCSW, BACS. Lori serves as the Program Manager of our Adoption & Maternity Services program, and she is also an adoptive parent. “Adoption has tremendously impacted my life on both a professional and a personal level. After working for Volunteers of America Greater… Read More
The Value of Volunteering for Senior Adults
Ed and Mary Ann Brannan of Mandeville, LA, made it a point when they retired to stay involved in their community. More than ten years ago they began volunteering through Volunteers of America’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), each pursuing opportunities that fit their individual interests and skills. They volunteer, on average, a combined… Read More
Q & A with our AmeriCorps VISTA
Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans is grateful for our partnership with the Americorps VISTA program, which provides nonprofit organizations like ours with talented volunteers who support capacity-building for the organization. We have been fortunate to have Emma Murray, our Development VISTA who hails from Lexington, Massachusetts, serving with us for the past year. Emma… Read More
A Day on the Farm
Growing up in an urban setting often means children lack opportunities for a first-hand experience with agriculture. Yet, providing kids with the chance to see where their food comes from can not only be a new and fun experience, but one that teaches kids the importance of making wiser nutrition choices that can have a… Read More
Urgent Need: Help Ms. Thelma
Ms. Thelma calls every Friday to ask if we have raised enough money to begin work on her house. Please help us say “Yes” this Friday by donating to the Friends of Thelma Fund. Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans wants to help retired New Orleans nurse Thelma Hines. A truck smashed into the front of her home,… Read More
2014 GolfStar Classic Adoption Benefit
Every year in the U.S. more than 20,000 children age out of the foster care system without being adopted. Today there are over 104,000 children in foster care awaiting adoption (source: Adopt US Kids). Volunteers of America, Greater New Orleans’ annual GolfStar Classic golf tournament is a fun and heartwarming event that raises proceeds to… Read More
The Client and the Volunteer
Ms. Earnestine (pictured left), a 56-year old client in our Supportive Housing Program, has been searching for an opportunity to increase her reading skills. While adult reading programs in her area were unable to assist, her case manager and the director of the local Volunteers of America RSVP program developed a plan to help. Meet Ms.… Read More
