Mark's Story

Mark (pictured on the left, at a recent ceremony honoring veterans) is a resident of our Veterans Transitional Housing program, which helps homeless veterans rebuild their lives by providing housing, job training, support services, and more. He’s a New Orleans native who joined the Air Force shortly after graduating high school. While in the Air Force, he served as a K-9 dog handler with the security police and guarded Loring Air Force Base’s nuclear facility among his other duties.

It was during this time that Mark began to develop addictions. He was hospitalized in 1978 and “100% disabled”, he says. Mark gradually recovered from his addictions to pursue college degrees and was married in 1982. Upon moving back to New Orleans in 1990, however, he relapsed, and lost his marriage and family. Mark struggled throughout the 1990’s with his addictions until becoming sober for good in 2000.

Throughout the first decade of the 21^st century, Mark was the primary caregiver for his mother, father, and grandmother. He finally found a home at our Veterans’ facility through Veterans’ Affairs in January of 2010, and has since successfully pursued the personal goals he had struggled to achieve for so long. While in our program, he has built a stronger relationship with his children and wife, found stability, and grown emotionally. He’s become involved in supporting his community and environment, and recently traveled to Louisville for leadership training through the Freret Neighborhood Center. He’s also signed up to volunteer for Volunteers of America and has sought job training. His future plans include working with homeless veterans and working for group homes.

Mark speaks highly of Volunteers of America. “This is one of the better facilities for people in my situation…it’s run in such a way that one can accomplish their goals. The people I’ve met here are like family...they take a very personal approach”.

Ronald's Story

Meet Ronald, a resident of our Canal Street Single Room Occupancy facility. Ronald is a Northshore native and son of a successful restaurateur there. He led a straightforward life in his youth as a member of the Navy Hospital Corps during the Vietnam War. While with the Navy Hospital Corps, Ronald served as a surgical medic, lab scientist, and worked in emergency search and rescue.

Upon returning from Vietnam, Ronald developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and began drinking as a result of his anxiety and depression. He attempted to maintain his career, working 5 years after his return from the service, but after a car wreck he moved home and began drinking on and off, “always at the wrong time”.

“The story of my life is caring for others”, says Ronald, and he’s cared for both of his parents as they entered their senior years. Following the death of his father, who he was helping his mother to care for, he began drinking chronically, leaving his job.

Ronald struggled with his alcohol addiction until April of 2005, when at the behest of his sister in law he began receiving treatment. The storm interrupted his treatment, and he evacuated to Omaha; when he was finished, he was connected with our Duvernay Residence, which offers permanent affordable housing, case management, and employment services for formerly homeless people in recovery.

Ronald just celebrated his fourth anniversary at Duvernay. He says of his experiences there – “I’m excited to be at Duvernay. It’s very welcoming and has helped me become self-sufficient”.

For his future, Ronald wants to continue to be more self-sufficient, help others, take inventory of himself, plan for life, and find a part-time retirement job for supplemental income.

We are proud to have individuals like Ronald among those we serve.

Wayne's Story

Wayne (pictured) has a troubled past. After Hurricane Katrina, he and his wife Julie were living under a bridge. Times were indeed tough, but it was Wayne’s unwavering spirit and trust in God that saw him through - “I just believed that God would show me the way, and he did”.

With the help of a collaboration of agencies, including Volunteers of America, Wayne and his wife are now living in an apartment and are as happy as they could imagine they would ever be. Wayne has since been on an advisory board for another agency and has given testimonials in Washington on their behalf. Wayne is interested in working for Volunteers of America and is exploring his options.

Congratulations, Wayne!

Spirit of Giving PSA

Famed New Orleans singer Charmaine Neville stirred up excitement by appearing in our Spirit of Giving commercial. The Spirit of Giving is Volunteers of America’s holiday campaign to support our Adoption, Mentoring Children of Promise, Lighthouse After School, Community Homes, and Family Resource Center programs. Pictured is Charmaine with President/CEO Jim LeBlanc and children from our programs.

Watch for Charmaine on TV spots throughout the season on WWL-TV, our sponsor.

Louisiana's Veterans' Affairs Honors Our Veterans

On Friday, October 30, four residents of our Veteran’s Transitional Housing, James Parker, Bill Bailey, Ronald LeBlanc, and William Thompson (pictured left to right in between Case Manager Christopher Randall and Veterans Program Director Randolph Macabitas), received awards at a ceremony hosted by the State of Louisiana’s Veterans’ Affairs department. In attendance at the event was Gov. Bobby Jindal, who spoke and handed out awards to veterans. Our Veterans' Transitional Housing helps homeless veterans rebuild their lives by providing housing, job training, support services, and more. Congratulations James, Bill, Ronald & William, and thank you for your service to our country!

Elysian Courtyards Grand Opening

On October 5, Elysian Courtyards of Gentilly, a new Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation housing initiative in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans, held its grand opening. Formerly known as Chateau Carre, Elysian Courtyards is located in Gentilly and is functional for the first time since it flooded after Hurricane Katrina. It consists of 150 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Pictured from left are Dr. Albert Ruesga, President/CEO, Greater New Orleans Foundation; Charles Rice, Jr., President/CEO, Entergy New Orleans, Inc.; our President/CEO Jim LeBlanc; Kurt Maloney, our Board Chair; Robin Keegan, Executive Director, La. Office of Community Development; Nick Harris, Dillard University; Mike King, President/CEO, Volunteers of America, Inc; Victor Smeltz, Executive Director, Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corp.; New Orleans City Councilmember Cynthia Hedge Morrell; State Sen. Edwin Murray; Barbara Blackwell, Sugar Hill Neighborhood Association; Steve Hemperly, Greater New Orleans Marketing President, Capital One Bank, and Melissa Persaud, Director, Major League Baseball Players Trust.

ADOPT A CONSUMER IN NEED FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!

Would you like to adopt a person in need for Christmas and provide a wrapped gift to them? Perhaps you, your friends, family or co-workers would like to get together and each adopt someone rather than exchange gifts yourselves. If so, contact Dan Darbandi at Volunteers of America, ddarbandi@voagno.org. Dan can provide all needed information on each individual hoping to receive a gift this Christmas.

Help to make the holidays more meaningful and enjoyable --and give back to people in need in your community.

Pictured above is Kelia, a resident of our Olympia Community Home - she was thrilled to receive pajamas last year for Christmas!

New Veterans' Services Director

A big welcome to our new Veterans' Services Director, Mr. Randolph Macabitas. Randolph comes to us after a distinguished career in the United States military, serving in various capacities. Welcome to Volunteers of America, Randolph!

Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Leslie Mitchell, a volunteer in our Training program. Leslie has been volunteering for Lorraine Pitts, head of the Training department, since December when the program was re-started for the first time following Hurricane Katrina.

“I don’t like sitting at home-that’s why I’m a volunteer” she says, and she’s certainly kept very busy in the past. Leslie was an employee of Bell South for 35 years, where she was one of the first African-American women to achieve a high-ranking position in the company. Following her retirement in 2002, she cared for her granddaughter; when her granddaughter was ready to go to school, she decided to seek out volunteer opportunities. She learned about Volunteers of America through our voagno.org website, where she was matched to the Training department based on her abilities and interests.

She reports that the work she does for Volunteers of America is “thoroughly different” than her work at Bell South – “more relaxing”. Her duties include, but aren’t limited to, preparing training materials and grading tests for employees undergoing training.

“Leslie helps me to free up time to develop new classes”, says Lorraine Pitts. Prior to Katrina, her department comprised 3 people; now, with Leslie’s help, she’s working towards rebuilding capacity. Lorraine’s current programs include defensive driving, CPR, Crisis Intervention, and Health & Safety. Trainees’ curriculum is based on their position.

Of her volunteer experiences at Volunteers of America, Leslie says, “I enjoy being able to give back & keep my mind going…I like the people I work with”. How long does she plan on sticking with us? “Until Lorraine throws me out!”