About Us

Board Leadership

Volunteers of America North Louisiana Board of Directors is a diverse group of professionally recognized leaders across different disciplines and areas of expertise, all contributing freely of their time and talent to the governance of our organization.

VOA-Board-Carolyn

Carolyn Hammond

President and CEO
VOA-Board---Keith

Keith Evans

Chair
VOA-Board---Sheyenne

Sheyenne Carper

Vice Chair
VOA-Board---John_Ponthie

John Ponthie

Treasurer
VOA-Board-Michelle

Michele Q=Petersen

Secretary

William C. Bradford, Jr.
S. Patrick Crawford
Jessica Green Davis
Jay Hanna
Adam Hubble
Curtis Joseph
Wesley Lazarus
Terry Moore
John Peak
Jonathan Reynolds
Melanie Skrivanos
Angie White

Liz Buhler
Cortez Davis
John B. Frierson, Jr.
Elizabeth Holtsclaw
Ben Israel
Virginia Lamb
Lindsey Lewis
Jon Katz
Taurean Randolph
Dr. Ruby Scroggins
Carolyn Murphy Thompson
Anna Whittenbarger

Our History

Volunteers of America was founded in 1896 by social reformers Ballington and Maud Booth. They envisioned a movement dedicated to “reaching and uplifting” the American people. On behalf of the organization, the Booths pledged to “go wherever we are needed, and do whatever comes to hand.” That declaration continues to guide Volunteers of America’s outreach efforts today. When Maud and Ballington Booth thought of names for their movement 125 years ago, one word remained prominent: “volunteer.” In those days, a volunteer was anyone who was committed to a mission or cause. Since its earliest days, when Volunteers of America brought food, medicine and comfort to people not served by other charities, volunteering has been instrumental in every aspect of the organization’s ministry of service.For more information on our history and national organization please click the button below.

125yeears-strong

Volunteers of America North Louisiana began in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1935 with the opening of a shelter on Texas Avenue for women and children. The mission of Volunteers of America was, and remains, to reach and uplift all people and bring them to the knowledge and service of God.

Our Ministry

Serving God by Serving Others. This is the heartbeat of our work. All that we do to help others in need is guided by our faith and desire to live out that faith through service. 

In addition to being one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations, Volunteers of America, Inc. is an interdenominational church — a church with a distinctive ministry of service.

Our ministry of service, known as a church without walls thanks to our dear friend Dr. Don Webb, transforms lives by reaching and uplifting the most vulnerable. Led by chaplain, Dr. John Henson, our organization’s ministers are committed to extending grace and mercy to others in need.

You are invited to join our two annual worship services which feature our Vision of Hope choir (as pictured).

Vision of Hope Choir
1896
Volunteers of America was founded in 1896 by social reformers Ballington and Maud Booth in New York City. Volunteers of America was founded in 1896 by social reformers Ballington and Maud Booth in New York City.
1989
Volunteers of America North Louisiana began serving children and families in the LightHouse, our quality after-school and summer program.
2019
First licensed national partnership with Communities In Schools, the nation's largest and most effective dropout prevention organization.
1935
Volunteers of America found its way to North Louisiana with the opening of a temporary shelter for women and children in Shreveport, Louisiana.
2010
Volunteers of America North Louisiana began serving homeless veterans with the opening of our Transitional Living Facility in the Highland Neighborhood.

Our Mission

Volunteers of America North Louisiana is a faith-based ministry of service providing opportunity, promoting dignity, and inspiring change in all who find their way to us.

Our Vision

Volunteers of America North Louisiana will create a community where all people have opportunities for success by: 

  • Identifying needs in our region.
  • Providing holistic, quality services for each person.
  • Engaging volunteers and professionals in service.
  • Measuring outcomes for continuous improvement.

Meet The People We Serve

Watch these short stories to learn more about why we do what we do.