Kelly Gibson at our GolfStar Classic, Monday, March 1

Register now for Volunteers of America's premiere charity tournament, presented by Cox Charities. It's the major fundraiser for our Adoption Program.  Kelly Gibson will be on hole #9 to offer friendly tips to golfers. The tournament will be at the beautiful Tournament Players Club of Louisiana. Play, volunteer, sponsor or spread the word. Learn more (504)482-2130. See the brochure.  Pay registration fees or contribute online. 

Special Friends 'Reach For The Stars'
Fifty local donors have stepped forward as founding members of our Reach for the Stars Society. This elite giving society recognizes those individuals and businesses who pledged a significant five-year commitment to Volunteers of America.  Learn more and join us in applauding these visionaries.  

'Saints For Sinners' Sales Benefit Volunteers of America  WATCH WDSU-TV VIDEO Thanks to Rob Clementz, whose business Saints For Sinners offers hand-painted saint medals for sale.  Saints For Sinners is donating all December proceeds from sales of St. Anthony and St. Vincent de Paul medals to Volunteers of America.  You may buy one of these inspirational medals for less than $25 at Saints For Sinners or at our headquarters, 4152 Canal St.  Call (504)482-2130 or email us for more information.

The Terraces In Mid-City Now Leasing
Affordable housing for seniors is available at our new development, designed with amenities for persons 62 and above. Rent is based on income. The $35 million project, built by our Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corp., offers 200 one-bedroom units for low-income elders. Leasing information 504 378-0583.  Learn more

Foster Care Adoption Commercial Debuts  Volunteers of America works with Wendy's Wonderful Kids to find forever families for children in foster care eligible for adoption.  Watch our new TV spot.  How many foster children in Louisiana seek adoptive parents?  Find out and learn more about our program. 

New 'Auto Donation' TV Spot Features '66 Chevy Impala  Our latest commercial shows just how much Volunteers of America can get out of a donated car.   Watch now.  See the '55 Chevy video.  See the red Mustang video.  Inspired To Donate?  Click at right.

Lessons Learned:  Disaster Manual Shares 'Best Practices'

Since the 2005 storms, our Volunteer Services department has placed 20,000-plus volunteers region-wide, working with United Way and Greater New Orleans Disaster Recovery Partnership.

This unparalled experience led Volunteers Services to publish "Disaster Related Volunteerism," a manual to help other organizations using volunteers to prepare.  It is earning praise from experts such as United Way's Beth Terry:  "It goes so much beyond the work with volunteers, and beautifully sets the stage for any organization to be better prepared to deal with a disaster and its aftermath.  The specifics on the use of volunteers at the various stages of a disaster are hands-on practical – just what’s needed."  Read the manual.

Veterans Housing Program Extends A Hand Up

Honored guests, donors and dignitaries cut the ribbon at the opening of our Veterans Transitional Housing Program.  From left are U.S. Sen. David Vitter; Paul Spencer, Joe W. & Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation; John Laborde; Phyllis Taylor, Patrick F. Taylor Foundation; Msgr. Christopher H. Nalty; Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson, Vice President, New Orleans City Council;  Volunteers of America President/CEO Jim LeBlanc; Peter H. Dougherty, Director, Homeless Veterans Programs, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs; Ken Rocky, Homeless Coordinator, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs; Pamela Q. Masson, Freeport-McMoran Foundation; Gregory Rosenstein, Superior Entergy Services Inc., and Volunteers of America Board Chair Kurt Maloney.

Read the Times-Picayune article about the program.

Our Veterans Transitional Housing Program extends a hand up to vets who are homeless, offering cutting-edge mental health and medical services, intensive case management, job training, support services and housing.  The goal:  to help vets rebuild their lives and become independent and productive. 

How many homeless veterans are estimated to be on the streets of New Orleans?  Find the answer and get more details about our services.  

Special Hornets Gift, Special Guy  Board Member Mike Latino, left, and President/CEO Jim LeBlanc present an autographed Hornets basketball to Nick, resident of our Olympia Street community home for adults and children with disabilities.  Latino and former Board Member Steve Sawyer of Cox Communications, major partner of our organization, heard about Nick's love of all things Hornets when touring the home.  Nick's smile shows he loves his gift. 

Good News--Volunteers of America Always Has Some  Read encouraging news items about people helping people across the country. 

 Metairie Woman Turns '91 Corsica Into 'Vehicle of Hope'

Bex Goodwin recently donated her old car to Volunteers of America via this website.  “It’s just like Jim LeBlanc says in the commercial.  It's quick and easy, and I really did benefit from a tax deduction,” she says, adding that it gave her a good feeling to help people in need.  Want to donate your car, truck, boat, motorcycle or RV?  Click Donate Your Vehicle above. 

Mentoring Program Honored For 100,000th Match   Federal officials came to New Orleans to honor Volunteers of America for making the 100,000 match nationwide in the Mentoring Children of Promise Program, which supplies caring mentors to children with a parent in prison.  Commissioner of the U.S. Health and Human Services's Administration for Children & Families Joan Ohl, left, presents the award to Sherlyn Hughes, Program Coordinator, and President/CEO Jim LeBlanc.  The Administration for Children & Families helps to fund the program through agencies such as our throughout the country.  Learn more.

Academics, Character-Building, Enrichment

Each youngster in our Lighthouse after-school and summer program receives help to excel in these areas for inner-city kids.  Read more.

Higher Ground:  A Documentary About Our Extraordinary Care Givers

See a clip and learn more about "Higher Ground," a film focusing on the actions of direct support professionals from our organization who helped shepherd persons with disabilities during and after Hurricane Katrina. 

Faith:  The Heart Of Our Organization 

All that we do to help others in need is guided by our faith in God and desire to live out that faith through service.  Learn more about our ministry.