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Three_kids
 Touching Lives
 and Building
 Community
  in North and
  Central Louisiana
Summer has brought out the best in some of our volunteers, and we want to salute your great work. You are making a difference!
 
In this issue: 
VetsgardenCommunity comes together for vets
 
Day 1: A ShreveCorps member tries to level the ground for the retaining wall around the garden.
ShreveCorps volunteer starts work
Generous spirits and hard work are transforming a vacant lot into a beautiful garden.
 
Shreveport Green's ShreveCorps, a service program that allows students ages 17 to 21 to earn money for college, took the lead on building a garden at the Veterans Transitional Living Program. 
 
"We're just giving back to them," said Brandi Jackson, a 17-year-old member of ShreveCorps.

 
When they arrived Monday, a gravel-ridden plot and ambitions plans for six raised beds and retaining walls awaited. The garden was designed by local landscape architect William Loe, and Lowes Home Improvement donated the materials.
 
They started the work, and Tuesday the space really started to take shape as they were joined by a group of volunteers from the Civil Engineering Squadron at Barksdale and RSVP.
 
Eventually, the garden will include places for reflection as well as allow the veterans to grow some of their own vegetables.

"It will give them somewhere to sit and enjoy," said 21-year old Brandon Lewis, of ShreveCorps. 
 
Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible!
 
See the garden's progression in a photo gallery.
 
brandonTeen spends summer volunteering
 
Brandon Banks (top) and the Central LightHouse kids interrupt their game to pose for a picture.
Central kids pose
 
Brandon Banks could be relaxing at home or working a summer job to pay for textbooks, but the 17-year-old is chasing elementary school students at Central Elementary's LightHouse program.
 
His mom is a paraprofessional at the program, and talked him into volunteering. Brandon assists with their regular PE class, playing games and even inventing games to help them get excited about being in the summer program. And he's generous with hugs and smiles.
 
"Sometimes it's not the best thing (for a kid) to go to summer school," he said. "I just hope they have a good experience."
 
A sheepish grins spreads on Brandon's face and he looks away as Chad Johnson, the staff PE coach, heaps praise on Brandon's work.
 
"He's been a great help; he's a positive influence," Johnson said.
 
A 2010 graduate of C.E. Byrd, Brandon plans to go to Northwestern State University and study pre-med in the fall. He'll take with him lessons in leadership and patience.
 
For other teenagers, he encourages them to get involved.
 
"It's fun to volunteer here."
 
See our website for more pictures of LightHouse summer activities.
 
byronzGood food for a good cause
Bistro Byronz is celebrating its second year in business by giving back to the community with a benefit dinner.

Come for dinner on Monday, August 16 at 6 p.m. or 7:45 p.m. Proceeds will go to Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier, which helps women in need with work appropriate clothes and job readiness skills.

The fixed menu is $25 per person excluding bar drinks, gratuity and tax.

Please contact Sabra Scoggin to make your reservation with your seating time and number in your party by e-mailing [email protected].

Reservations are due by August 12.
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Come See Us
Tour the LightHouse! 
 
11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug.4
802 Travis St.
 
Reducing the drop out rate is one of the community's top priorities. See what we're doing to keep kids excited about school and help plan for their futures! The tour will last one hour, and you'll get to hear from one of our 2010 graduates.
 
More news online
LightHouse kids go to camp thanks to some amazing volunteers!
 
Learn how you can help the veterans facility feel like home.
 
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Thank you for your support of Volunteers of America of North Louisiana.  Please know that donations  large and small make our work possible.   Contributions may be sent to Volunteers of America of North Louisiana, 360 Jordan Street, Shreveport, Louisiana  71101 or call 318-221-2669 for more information. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Diane Haag Libro
Volunteers of America of North Louisiana
360 Jordan Street
Shreveport, Louisiana  71101
318-221-2669