Dear Friends,

This last full week in October of 2016 has brought some wonderful news to our organization. We received word on Monday that we have been awarded a three-year accreditation by CARF. The survey report was very complementary of all the staff of Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans. It is the culmination of many, many good people coming together and working hard that produced this result. This is a testament to our culture and commitment to the utmost quality of our services. We are called to help America’s most vulnerable and we ALWAYS provide our services with love, caring and concern.

I write this message having just attended the exit conference of the ACA reaccreditation of our Residential Reentry Center. This, too, produced outstanding results. The staff of the RRC scored a perfect 100 percent on all the standards reviewed. The surveyors spoke highly of the staff saying that they heard from RRC residents that our staff treated them humanely and with dignity!

I am so proud of the results of these accreditation reviews. It reminds me of how fortunate and blessed I am to work with such a talented, passionate and committed group of people. You are all AMAZING!!! 

Because of the success you have created I am reminded of a poem….

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."  ̶̶ Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Each and every one of you has succeeded. God bless you all!

Volunteering? Take a Selfie! Tell Family and Friends!

Why?

For each #ServiceSelfie shared on Instagram and Twitter between now and November 11th, The Home Depot Foundation will donate $1 up to $500,000 to five organizations that help veterans, including Volunteers of America! Selfies can be from any volunteer event. They just have to show volunteerism or love for a non-profit.

It's Simple!

First: Take a selfie (solo or with your friends) while giving back in the community. Second: Tag the photo with the hashtags #ServiceSelfie #VOAGNO #DoingMore4Vets and @Team Depot. Third: Upload it to Twitter or Instagram (and Facebook, too, if you want)!

There's Still Time to Adopt a Consumer for Christmas

We're making our list and checking it twice! Yes, it's that time of year--time for our Christmas Wish Project. If you, your department, your program or even your family and friends would like to bring holiday cheer to our consumers this Christmas season, sign up to "adopt" a consumer. You'll receive a gift "wish list" for a consumer. You'll then purchase and gift wrap an item from the list and bring it to the Canal Street office on gift drop-off day.

If you're interested in participating, contact Victoria King in Resource Development at vking@voagno.org.

Mark Your Calendar

You may want to mark your calendar for these upcoming dates:

1. November 3, 11 a.m.--Groundbreaking for The Cottages at Mile Branch in Covington
2. November 12, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.--Adoption Program's Carousel Party in City Park
3. November 30--Last day to earn Wellness discounts for 2016-17 Health Benefits
4. December 6--Christmas Wish gift drop off
5. December 13--Christmas Worship Service

Corporate Compliance Hotline | Our corporate compliance hotline is available to employees, or interested parties, to report suspected criminal, illegal, or unethical conduct occurring within the corporation in the event other resolution channels have been ineffective or if the caller wishes to remain anonymous. Employees are encouraged to address issues through the proper chain of command, but it is understood that anonymity is sometimes important to an employee. | Hotline #: 1-800-862-8482