The sound of bagpipes greeted 160 golfers this St. Patrick’s Day at the 2015 GolfStar Classic. March17 was a beautiful, sunny day of fun at TPC Louisianawith great food, a fabulous silent auction and thedrawing for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250—allto support creating forever adoptive families.

Presenting Sponsor Jay Trusheim, PrudentialFinancial Professional, offering P&C throughLiberty Mutual Insurance, got the morning rollingwith a $15,000 donation to the Adoption Program.

SPRING 2015

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PAIDPermit No. 1716New Orleans, LA

4152 Canal Street

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(504)482-2130|(504)482-1922 faxwww.voagno.org

REMEMBER THE BOOTH LEGACY IN YOUR WILL voagno.org

Various Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans services are accredited by CARF, the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission and ACA, the AmericanCorrectional Association. Volunteers of America is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation. Contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent provided by the law.

Golfers Hit The Greens On St. Patrick’s Day To Support Adoption

First Lady praises

city for being first

to end veteran

homelessness.

See more on

page 5.

“We would like to thank our presenting sponsor ofthe 23rd annual GolfStar Classic, Jay Trusheim, forhis support. It is through the efforts of our sponsors,golfers, donors and volunteers that we are able tocontinue to create forever families,” shares JimLeBlanc, President/CEO. “There is really no betterfeeling than the moment we help unite an adoptivefamily with the child they have so desperatelylonged for, and this tournament makes momentslike that possible.”

Additional corporate sponsorship of the day wasprovided by Mercedes-Benz of New Orleans, RetifOil & Fuel, Simmons & Associates–AmeripriseFinancial Services, Inc., The Grainger Foundation,The Wendy’s Company, COX Communications,DonahueFavret Contractors, Inc, F.H. MyersConstruction Corporation, Scott MouledousConstruction Company, Wells Fargo Advisors,LLC and The New Orleans Advocate. Thesesponsors and more than 200 businesses and

continued on page 3

Deadline To Become Founding Member Approaches

Become a Founding Member of our Booth Legacy, a planned philanthropy

campaign to help sustain the exceptional quality of Volunteers

of America programs and serve those in need in

perpetuity. Those who participate in a

planned gift to Volunteers of America

before June 30 will forever be

memorialized and listed as a Founding

Member of the Booth Legacy.

Presenting Sponsor Jay Trusheim, presents Volunteers ofAmerica with a $15,000 gift to promote adoption. From left areVolunteers of America Board Member and GolfStar Classiccommittee co-chair Christy M. Howley Connois, PresentingSponsor Jay Trusheim, Board Member and committee co-chairPaul Graff and Board Chair Robert Rhoden.

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Supportive Service for Veterans FamiliesProgram Racks Up AccoladesDaVaughn Phillips, a case manager with our Supportive Services for VeteransFamilies program, was recently named Case Manager of the Year for NewOrleans. This honor was bestowed by Unity of Greater New Orleans inrecognition of exemplary services in providing housing to homeless veterans.

This is not the first time that DaVaughn has been in the spotlight. At theend of 2014, Mayor Mitch Landrieu praised DaVaughn and his co-workers for their contributions at apress conference announcing the end of veteran homelessness in New Orleans.

Since 1997, Volunteers of America has been a leader in addressing the needs of homeless veterans throughmultiple programs. The Supportive Services for Veterans Families Program was instrumental inaccomplishing Mayor Landrieu’s challenge to end veteran homelessness. This program offers assistanceto any honorably discharged veteran, homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. In 2014, this programhoused or prevented homelessness for 310 veterans in the Greater New Orleans community.

When asked what led him to choose a career in social work, DaVaughn responds that he did not choosethis path—it chose him. This is obviously God’s plan for DaVaughn—you would know why if you methim. His easy-going smile, acceptance of others, knowledge and eagerness to help endear him to youthe very first time you meet. No wonder he has such success working with our veterans in need. Likeso many of our professional staff at Volunteers of America, DaVaughn not only does great work duringthe work day, he has also pursued a graduate degree after hours. This May, DaVaughn will receive hisMaster of Social Work degree from Southern University of New Orleans.

Volunteers of America is proud of DaVaughn’s accomplishments, and so pleased that he is a member ofour team.

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Ochsner Donates Volunteers And SupportVolunteers of America is thankful for the many corporate strategic partners who contribute in differentways to help fulfill our mission. Some provide consulting in their area of expertise, and others providevolunteers to help programs meet the demand for services or with beautification and improvementprojects. Partners such as Ochsner Health System touch our agency in many ways. Ochsner provideshealth screening for our employees, sponsors our annual Reach for the Stars Breakfast and volunteersthrough their Operation Outreach. We appreciate Ochsner and other partners that help us transformthe lives of our community’s most vulnerable.

No Small Feat! Ochsner’s Operation Outreachvolunteers revitalize the exterior of the CanalStreet SRO, which serves persons recoveringfrom substance abuse.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Robert C. Rhoden, Jr., ChairWayne M. Baquet, Jr., Chair-ElectChristy M. Howley Connois, SecretaryGeoffrey C. Artiques, TreasurerThomas J. Grace, Immediate Past Chair

Joseph Hyland Authement; M. Isabel Barrios; Terrence C. Forstall; Matthew S. French, MD, FACS; Paul Graff; Nathan J. Junius; ChanelLagarde; Michelle Kehoe Ogden; Leonard D. Simmons, Jr. andTod Smith

James M. LeBlanc, President/CEO

MISSION

Volunteers of America is a movement organized to

reach and uplift all people and bring them to the

knowledge and active service of God. Volunteers of

America, illustrating the presence of God through

all that we do, serves people and communities

in need and creates opportunities for people to

experience the joy of serving others. Volunteers of

America measures its success in positive change in

the lives of individuals and communities we serve.

Board Chair Shares Heartfelt ThanksIt's been an exciting, rewarding spring for Volunteers of America.

I thoroughly enjoyed spending the day with players and sponsors at this year'sGolfStar Classic on March 17. This committed group came together to promote anall-important goal—uniting every child with a forever family.

In early April, I also had the opportunity to celebrate with the participants of ourRetired and Senior Volunteer Program. Their dedication to improving the lives ofthe citizens of St. Tammany Parish is inspiring.

And I was extremely proud of Volunteers of America on April 20 when First LadyMichelle Obama came to town to applaud the work this community has done tohouse homeless veterans. Volunteers of America has led, and continues to lead,efforts to help our veterans in crisis.

My years as a board member have afforded me the opportunity to participate in themany programs of Volunteers of America. It is truly a life-changing experience tosee first hand the difference that our efforts make—how Volunteers of Americatransforms lives. I encourage you to get involved with one of the many Volunteersof America programs. There are multiple opportunities for you to touch lives—mentor at-risk youth, read to elementary students in the Lighthouse Program, employa veteran or donate resources to our community home residential living program.

As my term as Board Chair ends, I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to my fellowboard members, the Volunteers of America management team and staff, our manyfriends and supporters and especially to the individuals we serve who have made myterm as Board Chair an experience that I will always fondly remember.

Board ChairmanMessage

Robert C. Rhoden, Jr.

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Mercedes-Benz of New OrleansRetif Oil & Fuel

Simmons & Associates–AmeripriseFinancial Services, Inc.

The Grainger Foundation The New Orleans Advocate

The Wendy’s Company

COX CommunicationsDonahueFavret Contractors, Inc.

F.H. Myers Construction CorporationScott Mouledous Construction Company

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

P R E S E N T I N G S P O N S O R

S P O N S O R S

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Thanks To GolfStar Supporters On behalf of our Adoption Program and all of the families we serve, our sincere thanks to our generous sponsors for their support!

SNAPSHOTS

First Lady Congratulates Our Veterans ProgramOn Monday, April 20, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu andFirst Lady of New Orleans Cheryl Landrieu hosted First LadyMichelle Obama to celebrate the city's progress on the Mayors

Challenge to End VeteransHomelessness. Volunteersof America was among thehonored guests that Obamacongratulated for helpinghouse more than 200veterans last year as part of the initiative in New Orleans.

RSVP Donates $953,437 In Volunteer Hours In recognition of National Volunteer Week, April 12–18, Volunteersof America’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)gathered for an annual luncheon. St. Tammany Parish PresidentPat Brister thanked volunteers for their dedication and waspresented with a mock check of $953,437 representing the valueof the volunteers’ 42,000+ hours of service to the citizens of St.Tammany. The RSVP program provides a wide range of volunteeropportunities. Learn how you can become involved at our VolunteerRecruitment Fair on Friday, May 15 , 9 to 11 am at the CommunityCenter at Christwood, 100 Christwood Boulevard, Covington, LA.For more information, contact Dee Wild at (985) 674-0488 ordwild@voagno.org.

From left are RSVP Program Director Dee Wild, President/CEO James LeBlanc,St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister, Volunteers of America Board ChairRobert Rhoden and Director of North Shore Services Ty Bartel.

GolfStar Winners1st PLACE FOURSOMEThe Entergy team received a round of golf for four at TPC: Herman King, Brian Washington, Alex Dunn and Mark Bowen

2nd PLACE FOURSOMETeam Kushner LaGraize, LLC, received a round ofgolf for four at Beau Chene Country Club: BrianBitner, James Griffin (who also hit an eagle on18th hole), Al Leaber and Craig Fabacher

3rd PLACE FOURSOMEAction Industries, Inc., received a round of golf forfour at Audubon Park Golf Course: Frank Rusich,Michael Rosenzweig, Aris Cox and Maurice Pilie

CLOSEST TO THE HOLE Winners received putters provided by presentingsponsor Jay Trusheim and Liberty Mutual. Winnersincluded Mike Hymel, Andy Pellet and Fr. RichardSudlik, who sank a HOLE IN ONE on hole 17.

LONGEST DRIVE This competition was won by Justin Ranger, whoreceived a $35 gift card to the TPC Pro Shop.

Top: Entergy foursome is the top winner. Left: Bagpipesplayed by Bob Grubb with The Kilts of Many Colours/Pipes and Drums of New Orleans start a glorious day.

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North Shore Support ProgramHelps Resident Facing Health CrisesWhen Shelly firstcame to our NorthShore office, she wasnewly diagnosed withHIV and hepatitis C.She was very sickand tired, as she hadbeen acting as thesole caregiver for her

ex-husband. He was experiencing the final stagesof AIDS, with kidney failure, dialysis three timesper week and serious problems with mobility andactivities of daily living.

Shelly, with a master's degree in social work, foundherself in need of support from others. She reachedout to the Health Services Support program ofVolunteers of America, seeking assistance withmedical care. She was assigned a case manager whohelped her get an appointment for her HIV andhepatitis C. The next step was to help Shelly come

to terms with her illness. While her family wasaware of her ex-husband’s diagnosis, she did notwant to burden her family with her own.

Shelly’s case manager became her only supportthrough several medical procedures and treatments.To fill in the gaps in her circumstances, she was alsoreferred to a psychiatrist for anxiety and depressionand a local HIV-support group. Shelly says thesemonthly group meetings were key to providingthe additional support she needed.

Recently, her ex-husband passed away, and Shellyfeels like she can now concentrate on her ownwell-being. Through her own efforts and thesupport of her doctors and the Health ServicesSupport case management staff, she is ready to geta part-time job. Shelly now feels like she is aproductive member of society once again and isenjoying getting out of her house and being activewithin her community.

individuals contributed food, auction items and financial support to the Adoption Program’s onlyannual fundraiser.

Golfers and non-golfers alike participated in a fabulous silentauction with an Erin Go Bragh! theme that included items such asa Terrance Osborne remarqued, limited edition silkscreened printof Lady Mardi Gras, two-night stay at Harrah's New Orleans Hoteland dinner at The Besh Steakhouse, lady's triple strand genuinecultured freshwater pearl necklace with sterling silver clasp fromBoudreux’s Jewelers and a seven-day stay in Mexico at a Vida Resort.

The lucky raffle winner of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 waspulled by Jesse Tauzier, winner of last year’s raffle. Congratulationsto Peter Johnston of Daphne, Alabama, who purchased his ticketfrom a co-worker and Volunteers of America adoptive father!

Adoption Supporters Raise Vital Fundscontinued from front cover

Despite health challenges,Shelly is now productive andhappier.

Spring break! Time to party and shirk yourresponsibilities—pretend to be someone else fora while, right?

Well, students from Rice University, St. Mary’sUniversity Law School and Cornell Collegedecided instead to take on responsibilities, andnot to pretend to be someone else, but to putthemselves in someone else’s shoes. Thesevolunteers came to work with Volunteers ofAmerica for three main reasons: to uplift others,to be immersed in a vibrant culture and to engagein a multi-faceted approach to human services.

Volunteers of America’s relationship with thesecolleges provided the opportunity to turn thestudents' passion into participation. For five days,the students worked at our Community LivingServices group homes for people with intellectualand developmental disabilities, Fresh Food Factorand our partner organization—Stoney PointFarm.

While on the farm they planted onions andpeppers, organized the barn and harvested eggs. Thestudents worked together to complete tasks, and aparticipant from St. Mary’s even taught the Cornellstudents techniques he had learned from the farmer.But the connections grew as the students worked

at Fresh Food Factor. They cited their amazementat the volume of meals produced for at-risk youth—over 2,000 a day—and the sheer amount of effortnecessary to pull it all off.

The students made it clear that their affinity forvolunteerism was rooted in an awareness of thereal challenges facing our communities and thepotential for growth. Heidi, a site leader from Rice,told us that she wants to be an advocate for socialchange, and to do that she knew that she had tocouple academics with real world experiences.

The students from St. Mary’s credited their school’sculture with instilling altruistic values in the studentbody. Group leader Bridget and her team fromCornell wanted be involved with an organization thathas a broad reach and could encompass their interestsin after-school enrichment, civic engagement andsustainable food service. Volunteers of America wasa perfect fit.

To learn about volunteer opportunities for yourgroup, contact Logan Ebel at (504) 486-8699or lebel@voagno.org.

Pioneers Of Tomorrow Grasp Realities Of Today by Erin Duffy, AmeriCorps VISTA

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