Get Connected v2

Serving God by Serving Others

You can support our special ministry of service in many ways. Whether you choose to donate your dollars or your time, you are making a difference. We can’t fulfill our mission without you!

Hope Begins Here Monthly Tours

Hope Begins Here program tours are the perfect introduction to our organization! Every tour is informative, inspiring, and a one-of-a-kind experience created just for you.

*Tours are the first Wednesday of every month and begin at 11 a.m. CST.

Upcoming Tours


For more information contact Tricia Jowell at Tricia.Jowell@voanorthla.org

Volunteer

Any volunteer wanting to serve in-person must sign a COVID-19 liability waiver included in the online application.

When Volunteers of America was founded in 1896, volunteering meant stepping forward to commit yourself to a cause. Individuals pledged their whole lives—their hearts, spirits and professional careers to help people in need. Today, our staff of paid professionals adopts this same ideal of service. Yet, we cannot be successful without our dedicated volunteers who give their free time and talent to support our most vulnerable neighbors. 

If you would like to join our ministry of service, follow these steps:

1. Consider where you would like to volunteer. Look through our List of Volunteer Opportunities or create your own project.

2. Complete our online Volunteer Application form.

3. Review the Volunteer Policy Manual.

4. Complete the Consent to a Background Check online form  and pay a $20 background check fee ($10 for students). You can click here to pay your Background Check Fee online. Minors under the age of 18 years do not need to complete a background check form. If you are a minor, a legal guardian will need to sign the Release and Acknowledgement Form.

5. Once the background check is completed, you will be contacted to schedule a time to discuss volunteer placement and begin your onboarding experience.

Volunteer Opportunities

Whether you’re looking to volunteer as an individual or as a group, we welcome your help and compassion! The volunteer needs are a bit different for each program, so we’ve divided them based your time to give below.

Volunteer jobLocationAvailable dates/timesJob description
TutorLightHouse

Community Sites: Downtown LightHouse (820 Travis Street, Shreveport La) and Bossier City LightHouse (2101 Scott Street, Bossier City, La); Mondays-Thursdays.

School-Based Sites: Atkins Elementary, Booker T. Washington High School, Broadmoor Stem Academy, Creswell Elementary, Fair Park Preparatory Academy, J.S. Clark Elementary, Westwood Elementary. Tuesdays- Thursdays.

Tutoring children and helping them with their homework during the school year. Reading to children, helping with arts and crafts, sports, etiquette and other enrichment activities.
TutorCommunities In SchoolsAtkins Elementary, Booker T. Washington High School, Broadmoor Stem Academy, Caddo Heights Elementary, Creswell Elementary, Caddo Middle Career and Technology School, Fair Park Preparatory Academy, J.S. Clark Elementary, Oak Park Elementary, Woodlawn High School.Tutoring children in subjects where they have difficulty and helping them with their homework during the school year. Volunteers hours available in am and pm.
Teen Club SpeakerLightHouse

Community Sites: Located inside the Highland Center (520 Olive Street, Shreveport La) and Bossier City LightHouse (2101 Scott Street, Bossier City, La); 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mon-Thurs

Speaking to high school students about your career, personal story, hobbies, etc.
Arts and Crafts LeaderLightHouse3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Mon-ThursPlan and lead and arts and crafts activity for the children ages Kindergarten through 12th grade.
Teach a Physical Activity ClassCorbitt Lodge10 a.m. on a Monday or TuesdayTeach a physical activity class for residents, such as stretching or chair yoga.
Teach a Creative Writing ClassTravis LightHouse4 to 5:30 p.m. Mon-ThursPlan and implement activities that will increase and enhance our middle school youth’s creative writing and poetry skills.
Community GardenersGreenwood Lodge and Travis LightHousedaytime hoursAssist children and/or people with disabiltiies in the maintenance and care of the community garden and growing station.
Adult Life Skills TrainersVeterans HomeWeekdaysSpeak to Veterans about common life skills such as money management, owning a home, health care
Volunteer jobLocationAvailable dates/timesJob description
Provide a Sunday DinnerVeterans Home4-6 p.m. SundaysPrepare and serve Sunday dinner for the 48 residents of the Veterans Transitional Living Center. Meals must be prepared and ready to serve upon arrival.
Table Server/HostHighland Center5:30 to 7 p.m. ThursdaysJoin Highland Center Ministries in serving dinner to the local community at weekly meals.
Bingo CallerCorbitt LodgeTwice a month – 4:30 p.m. Wed.Call Bingo games for a group of residents
Check Blood PressureCorbitt and Independence Lodges

Corbitt: 2 or 3 p.m. Thursdays or Fridays

Independence: 2 or 3 p.m. Mondays or Tuesdays

Conduct biweekly blood pressure checks for our residents. 
Lead an ActivitySouth Pointe Placeonce a month or more oftenLead an activity, such as quilting, card games, or educational talks with group of residents. South Pointe Place is a 50 unit apartment complex for low income senior adults..
Plan an Ice Cream SocialCorbitt and Independence LodgesNoon (12 p.m.) Thursdays or FridaysPlan a fun social and provide ice cream for 10 residents.
Fitness ClassLightHouse Teen Club6-8 p.m. Mondays and WednesdaysLead teens in a fitness class. They are up for anything from dance to kickboxing to yoga!
Volunteer jobLocationAvailable dates/timesJob description
Prepare a mealGroup homesEvenings or weekendsPrepare and serve dinner with the residents of our group homes for people with mental illness. Facilities house between 6 and 9 residents.
Teach a TopicVision of Hope9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mon-FriProvide educational/recreational workshops for participants, i.e.teach an art or nutrition class. Visions is our day program for people with mental illness.
Landscaper/painterVeterans Home Daytime hours – could be weekendsLandscape the patio and front of the home.
Guest speakerLightHouse3 to 5:30 p.m. Mon-Thurs or
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mon-Thurs in the summer
Provide educational/recreational workshops for students ages kindergarten through 12th grade, such as art projects or healthy living
Host a collection drive ongoingHost a collection drive to fill our program wish lists
Share your recipes ongoingTeach a group of children or senior adult residents your favorite no-cook recipe. Volunteers would need to supply ingredients and bring needed kitchen tools.
Share your hobby ongoingAre you passionate about a particular sport, topic or interest? Come share it with our clients. Bring pictures and a slide show to help engage everyone!
Plan an outingVeterans FacilityEvenings or weekendsPlan a trip to go fishing, bowling, attend a sporting event or go to the movies for a group of men from the Veterans Transitional Living Program
Friend of Volunteers
of America
variesvariesSometimes we need help for a few hours with a special event. Let Shelby McCarty know you want to be a friend, and you will receive regular updates of how you and/or your group can: run check-ins, organize donations, serve food, or help with various other tasks for one of our one-time events.

Thank you for whatever service you can give.

For more information about our Volunteer Program, contact connect@voanorthla.org or give us a call at 318-221-2669.

Visionaries

Visionaries is a group of engaged young adults committed to helping the needs of vulnerable people in Shreveport-Bossier. We partner with the mission of Volunteers of America North Louisiana to serve Children and Families, Senior Adults, Veterans, and Adults with Disabilities. Visionaries provides high-impact, low time-commitment service opportunities throughout the year because we know all about busy lives.

Committee Leadership

Wesley Lazarus

Chair
Wesley was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, attended Louisiana Tech University, and is a proud Bulldog! He is an Assistant Vice President with Progressive Bank and has served in various Banking roles with Progressive for almost 7 years. He has a deep-rooted connection & love for the Shreveport/Bossier Community and feels privileged to serve in leadership positions for numerous area non-profits, including Visionaries! When not working or volunteering you can find him at a local restaurant, watching Texas Rangers Baseball, or spending time with friends & family.

Courtnei Gabriel
Ashby Davis
Jordan Ring

Mac Zentner
Nick Oliver – Past Chair

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