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  January 2016
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Jim LeBlanc

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year!  And here is to new beginnings. In the very first week of 2016 we had a groundbreaking ceremony in Houma, Louisiana, where we are converting the Houma Elementary School, built in 1931, and adding an additional building in order to create 103 apartments for seniors. This development addresses a great need in that community and we are very happy to add to our array of services in the Terrebonne/Lafourche Parish area.  We also believe that our housing presence in that area will allow us to continue to expand services to include veterans outreach, services to people with intellectual disabilities and other expertise that we can bring to that community.

In another new-year development, a new governor for the state of Louisiana was inaugurated in the second week of January. While the governor and Legislature inherit quite a huge budget deficit this year and next, many of us are hopeful that with a new start, in time, our budget picture will improve. Governor Edwards seems to be supportive of our human services programs, and I am very hopeful that somewhere down the road we may be able to see some increases in our budgets rather than the decreases we have seen over the last five to six years.

However, it is a long way off before the Louisiana budget picture improves. Until we see improvement in reimbursement rates, all of us here at Volunteers of America will have to continue to tighten our belts. I know it can be difficult but that is the challenge we face in order to continue with all of our program services.  We need to pare whatever unnecessary expenses we can, and live more frugally in 2016.  I ask for your help to assist us in facing this kind of budgetary problem within our agency, knowing that in time we will get through this difficult situation and be better for it.  Thank you for your help and assistance.

Until next time, take care and God Bless,

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Annual Report Provides Information on Our Progress

As a valued member of the Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans team, you know the good work we do every day helping the most vulnerable in our area -- you do it every day! Our recently published 2014-2015 Annual Report provides valuable information to government and community leaders, business partners, foundation boards, donors, potential donors ... anyone who needs and wants to know how we are doing fulfilling our mission. Visit www.voagno.org or click here to read the annual report.


Houma School Groundbreaking 1 5 16Our Services in Houma are Growing

As Jim LeBlanc mentions in his message, a groundbreaking was held in Houma on January 5, 2016, for Volunteers of America's Houma School Apartments. The historic elementary school building, once used for classroom instruction then School Board offices until 2014, is being redeveloped and repurposed to become home to seniors in spring 2017.

"This development will feature 103 apartments for seniors at a variety of income levels in a beautifully restored school building where many residents of Terrebonne Parish have fond memories," said LeBlanc. "We could only do this with the tremendous support of the Terrebonne Council on Aging and the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government."

Participating in the groundbreaking were representatives from Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans, Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation, Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, Terrebonne Council on Aging, Louisiana Housing Corporation and Enterprise Community Partners.


Upcoming Events

  • February 9 (Tuesday) -- Mardi Gras!
  • February 16 (Tuesday) -- Support the Adoption Program at Ye Olde College Inn from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.3000 S. Carrollton Ave. in New Orleans. 20% of sales to benefit the Adoption Program! Bring friends and family for drinks, dinner and to buy your raffle ticket for the 2016 Mercedes CLA250!
  • February 25 (Thursday) -- Fresh Food Factor Tour from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., 1746 Tchoupitoulas St. in New Orleans 

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Minister's Message by Guest Minister Sheryl LeBlanc

It’s a New Year.  Take one day at a time.

Statistically, most New Year’s resolutions fail within weeks. How about taking a different approach? January 1 is a celebration, a new beginning, yes. But really, isn’t it just another day of the year? What if you made a resolution EVERY DAY to try to be the best person you can be? Staying physically healthy, yes!  Along with trying to be as healthy as you can be … how about striving to be emotionally, morally and spiritually healthy? Don’t worry about tomorrow! Focus on today! Every day! The one thing we know about the future is that it comes only one day at a time. And, remember, God is with you every step of the way! Consider these everyday resolutions:

  1. Resolve to stay faithful to Jesus Christ. There's no reason to look elsewhere.
  2. Resolve to not let anything – a career, a significant other, social media, a house – become an object of worship.
  3. Resolve to watch your language and not speak any destructive talk.
  4. Resolve to talk to your parents on a regular basis, and show them love and respect.
  5. Resolve to be less angry. Channel any feelings of rage, which Jesus said are as severe as murder, into worshiping God and serving others.
  6. Resolve to honor your commitment to your spouse.
  7. Resolve to speak about others only with truth and love, not gossip.
  8. Resolve to be content with what you have, and not worry about what others have.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

A Blessed New Year To All!


Food Preparation

Veteran's Culinary Training Program Graduates First Class

Thanks to a partnership between our Fresh Food Factor (FFF) Program and Veterans Affairs, six veterans successfully completed the inaugural Veteran's Culinary Training Program and passed their test, earning ServSafe Certification. Training included both classroom education and hand-on work in the FFF kitchen. This certification makes the veterans more marketable in the job market because every food service establishment needs at least one employee with this credential. Look for more information in the February issue of Visions.


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Take a Chance!

You may be the lucky winner of a 2016 Mercedes CLA250! All raffle proceeds benefit Volunteers of America's Adoption Program. Tickets are only $50 and only 1,500 tickets will be sold! Buy your tickets here or contact Vickie Laurato at (504) 486-8662 to purchase by phone.

 

    

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