Shreveport, LA (March 3, 2026)— Volunteers of America North Louisiana (VOANLA) honored special volunteers for their service during the annual Volunteer Appreciation Lunch. Over one hundred and forty people gathered for the celebration at East Ridge Country Club. “Good morning, and welcome to our Volunteer Appreciation & Awards luncheon, which I truly look forward to year after year!” remarked Carolyn Hammond, VOANLA President & CEO.
She continued, “It is such a joy to be together with so many old and new friends, community partners, and individuals who invest so much into the lives of those we serve. Thank you for finding such a deep connection with our organization’s mission of providing opportunities, promoting dignity, and inspiring change to all of those who find their way to us.
Over 90 years ago (91 to be exact), Shreveport needed a shelter for women and children. In The Shreveport Times Sunday paper on December 30th, 1934, the headline read, ‘Volunteers of America Opens Shelter Here – Organization Will Receive Calls at Any Hour From Persons in Distress’. This remains true today – we – everyone in this room – are still willing to roll up our sleeves, and do whatever needs to be done.
Last fiscal year, our organization extended hope to over 8,000 of our neighbors in need- individuals in our community like…
the Nash Brothers, all three students at Broadmoor Stem who receive support and services through our licensed partnership with Communities in Schools and our school-based LightHouse afterschool program, to help them find success both in and out of the classroom.
Like Mr. Art Carter, a resident at South Pointe Place since opening in 2015, who has a place to call home and has been aging with dignity and independence in our 50-unit apartment complex for low-income seniors.
And like Roderick, who attends our Vision of Hope program which helps clients like himself with chronic mental disabilities learn ways of coping with their illness, guiding them toward achieving their goals and allowing them a place to have fun and be in healthy relationships with others.
Support from all our volunteers- each of you in this room- makes this work possible. Bless you for sharing your precious time and talents with our organization, but more importantly the clients we serve.”
This year, six individuals and groups were given special recognition. See below.
The Champion for Dignity Award recognizes volunteers who choose to serve some of our most vulnerable populations—those for whom dignity is too often overlooked or taken away. This award honors individuals who help restore that dignity by offering the tools they need to succeed.
Often, those tools aren’t tangible. They are love. Compassion. Patience. Encouragement. A steady presence. Someone who believes in them and gives them a sense of belonging. Our volunteers, all of you in this room, make that kind of impact every single day. Today, we are proud to honor a volunteer who has done exactly that for our senior residents living at South Pointe Place.
South Pointe Place opened its doors in 2015 with a clear mission: to provide high-quality, affordable housing to senior adults who need it most.
In the decade since, it has become far more than a housing development—it has grown into a true community. And volunteers like today’s honoree are a big part of why.
Since 2024, this volunteer has worked to foster independence among our residents by offering training on technology use and internet safety—skills that are increasingly essential for staying connected, informed, and empowered.
In October of 2025, she hosted a Digital Safety Class that provided residents with an incredible array of resources, including laptops, tablets, e-readers, wireless speakers, wireless headphones, and wireless earbuds. Paula Williams, our Professional Service Coordinator, says she is “equipping South Pointe Place residents with knowledge to navigate our digital world safely.”
As meaningful as those gifts are, her most powerful contribution was something less tangible — introducing new volunteers to our mission, investing time in teaching and encouraging, and consistently affirming our residents’ ability to learn, adapt, and thrive. She has a true heart for service, and we are deeply grateful for the dignity she helps restore and the tools for success she so generously provides.
As we celebrate her today, we are especially honored to share that her uncle—a resident of South Pointe Place—is in the room with us to help celebrate this moment.
Please join me in honoring Kertenisha “Kay” Artison with the Champion for Dignity Award.
The Ellen Brown Service Award holds a special place in the history of the Highland community.
Ellen Brown was not only the first director of the Highland Center — she is also a devoted volunteer who believed deeply in serving God by serving others. Her life is rooted in dedication, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to her community. This award recognizes individuals who carry forward that same spirit of service. Today, we are proud to honor someone who embodies that same dedication.
For the past three years, she has faithfully mentored 5th-grade girls in our Communities in Schools program at Creswell Elementary. She goes beyond the standard school curriculum to intentionally incorporate social-emotional learning into her time with students, helping them build self-awareness, emotional regulation, and healthy coping strategies that will serve them far beyond the classroom.
Through yoga movements and guided breathing techniques, she teaches students how to slow down, center themselves, and approach challenges with confidence and clarity. These practices give her students practical tools they can carry with them — tools that support not only academic growth, but also personal growth.
One of our lead CIS site coordinators, Kenya Maeshack, said this about today’s honoree, “She possesses a unique ability to foster trusting relationships and cultivate a calm, supportive environment where students feel safe, valued, and heard.”
Through her patience, consistency, and genuine compassion, she empowers these young girls to build confidence, manage stress, resolve conflicts peacefully, and grow both academically and emotionally.
We are honored to present the Ellen Brown Service Award to Emily Evans.
The Altrusa Award recognizes an individual or organization who has given of themselves unselfishly to enhance the quality of life for those we serve.
Our volunteers are essential to our mission. They help create meaningful experiences for our residents and remind them that they matter — that their lives are still filled with opportunities for joy, belonging, and dignity. The Altrusa Award honors those who demonstrate that commitment in a consistent and impactful way. This year’s recipient has been generously volunteering time and resources since 2022. Each quarter, they provide a nutritious meal to our residents at Independence Lodge. While the meals are always appreciated, what truly stands out is the way they engage with the residents. They don’t simply serve food and leave. They sit down. They talk. They listen. They take the time to build real connections. Their kindness is evident in every interaction, and their presence turns an ordinary meal into a meaningful experience. Because of them, our residents don’t just enjoy a meal — they feel seen, valued, and connected with our community.
Tara Daniel, our Service Coordinator, wrote, “Their friendly, caring staff consistently engage with the residents, making each visit warm and memorable.” She also shared that their ongoing commitment has created something residents truly look forward to — not just for the food, but for the genuine companionship and uplifting spirit they bring each time they walk through the doors.
We are honored to present the Altrusa Award to Barksdale Federal Credit Union.
The Beacon of Hope Award honors a volunteer or group who brings light into the lives of the children and families that find their way to us.
Our volunteers play an essential role in our Children and Families division. They give selflessly their time in so many ways — tutoring students, sharing special talents, stepping in with needed supplies and materials, and simply showing up with consistency and care. In doing so, they provide something every child and family needs: hope. Today, we are proud to recognize a volunteer who truly embodies what it means to be a Beacon of Hope.
Since 2023, he has faithfully volunteered at Atkins Elementary — first with our Communities in Schools program and now with our LightHouse after-school program. This year alone, he has given over 85 hours of his time, making a lasting difference in the lives of the students he serves.
His impact goes far beyond academics. While he supports students in their learning, he is also consistently available for whatever needs may arise within the program. His flexibility, dependability, and willingness to step in wherever needed make him a tremendous asset not only to the children and families we serve, but to our staff as well.
Victoria Morris, Director of LightHouse Services, wrote in her nomination that “he goes above and beyond to support students academically, patiently encouraging them and celebrating their progress.” She also noted that his calm demeanor and positive attitude help create a safe, supportive environment where students feel confident to ask questions, take risks, and believe in their ability to succeed.
Through his steady presence and generous spirit, he truly represents what it means to be a Beacon of Hope.
We are honored to present the Beacon of Hope Award to Ron Baxter.
The Rachel Sparks Award is our oldest award. It recognizes a person or organization that helps us carry forward her legacy of dedication and service. Today, we are proud to recognize an individual who reflects that same commitment.
Since 2023, she has volunteered within our Communities in Schools program at Broadmoor STEM Academy. At her core, she is an educator — consistently showing compassion and a sincere commitment to helping students reach their full potential.
In fact, we had a little trouble getting her here today because this luncheon conflicted with her scheduled tutoring time. That alone speaks volumes about her dedication to our mission. Even when being honored, her first thought was for the students she serves.
Viola, one of our CIS site coordinators at Broadmoor STEM Academy, shared in her nomination, “She demonstrates a caring spirit, genuinely wants to know more about how to help students improve, and provides engaging activities during their sessions.” She went on to say that her thoughtful preparation and consistent encouragement help students feel supported and motivated, creating a space where learning feels both purposeful and enjoyable.
We are truly honored to recognize her service and the meaningful difference she continues to make in the lives of our students.
We are honored to present the Rachel Sparks Award to Marie Rinaudo.
The Humanitarian Award is one of the most meaningful recognitions we give. It is reserved for individuals who embody philanthropic service — not simply through generosity, but through leadership, advocacy, and a deep and abiding belief in our mission.
This award recognizes those who do more than support the work. They strengthen it. They shape it. They champion it. They help ensure that it will continue for generations to come.
And this year’s recipients have done exactly that.
Have you ever met someone and immediately known they were going to make an impact?
Not just because they are passionate — though he certainly is.
Not just because they are animated — though you never have to wonder where he stands.
But because their heart for the mission is unmistakable from the very beginning.
In 2018, this year’s Humanitarian Award recipient began his leadership journey with us when he joined our Board of Directors. Over the next six years, he faithfully served on our Planned Giving Committee, helping to ensure that our mission would be sustained for generations to come. And from 2020 to 2025, he served as Board Treasurer — a role that requires diligence, discernment, and a willingness to ask the important questions.
He approached that responsibility with excellence.
During a significant season of leadership transition, when both Jennifer Trowbridge stepped into her role as CFO and I stepped into mine as CEO, he did far more than fulfill the duties of Treasurer. He became a guide. He helped us understand the desires of the Board. He provided clarity when decisions felt weighty. He asked thoughtful questions that sharpened our thinking. And perhaps most importantly, he made it clear that he genuinely wanted us to succeed.
That kind of leadership leaves a lasting mark.
He has also been a consistent and compelling advocate for our organization — particularly for our behavioral health programs. In conversations both inside and outside the boardroom, his belief in our mission has never wavered. He understands the urgency of our work, and he is not hesitant to champion it.
His service extends beyond governance. Alongside his wife, they served as a Table Captains for our Cherish the Children of God Breakfast — inviting others into our mission and encouraging generosity within his own community. Together, they are members of our Evergreen Society, reflecting their shared commitment to sustaining this ministry well into the future.
And that word — together — matters.
Because philanthropy at its best is rarely an individual effort. It is a shared calling. A shared conviction. A shared “yes.”
His wife has been the steady presence beside him — supporting early mornings, welcoming us into their home, and always showing up with a smile on her face. She has been a partner in generosity, a partner in leadership, and a partner in belief.
And in the spirit of what our former CEO Chuck Meehan fondly referred to as “selective authenticity,” we may have relied on her help to ensure they were both here today. What she did not know is that today’s recognition belongs to her just as much as it does to him.
The Humanitarian Award recognizes donors who embody philanthropic service — individuals whose generosity is matched by leadership, whose advocacy is matched by action, and whose belief in our mission is evident in the way they live and give.
Here, we honor not just a board leader, not just a financial steward, not just event champions — but a couple whose shared commitment has strengthened this organization in lasting ways.
We are honored to present the Humanitarian Award to John and Shan Ponthie.