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 Touching Lives
 and Building
 Community
  in North and
  Central Louisiana

Veterans program celebrates one year and countless successes

  

Andrew, 28-year-old resident
Andrew spent four years as a boatswain's mate in the US Navy, and plans to start at Diesel Driving Academy next month.

Andrew barely looks old enough to be out of high school.

 

But this 28-year-old former sailor is one of the dozens of homeless veterans who are finding a second chance at the Veterans Transitional Living Facility.

 

Thanks to your support, next week the program celebrates its first anniversary of serving clients. Director Gary Jaynes tries to be modest when he talks about the first year. But he doesn't have to be.

 

Nearly every goal the Veterans Transitional Living Home set for its first year has been reached.

 

  •   97 men and 5 women have been served
  •  16 have graduated into independence and their own apartments
  •   100% of those currently in the program have a job, volunteer or attend school

 

Jaynes is particularly proud that some residents have taken the lead in helping themselves. One resident leads AA meetings, and another graduate leads a daily "house meeting" to check in with everyone and take any complaints or suggestions.

 

Many, like Andrew, enlisted right out of high school, seeking adventure and maybe some training.

 

A little homesick, he returned to Shreveport after his four-year commitment and found a job. Earlier this year, he lost his job and his bills quickly ate up any savings.

 

Through an appointment at the VA, he learned about the Veterans Program. Impressed with the cleanliness and structure, he moved in. Two weeks later, he's seeing a difference.

 

"I'm a lot more organized," he said. "Not because I have to be, but because I want to be."

 

In the coming year, Jaynes said he still needs more activities for them outside the walls of the program, whether its fun outings or volunteer work.

 

"We're all about re-engaging them with society and doing it in a more wholesome way," he said.

 

Andrew sees good things ahead: a career, his own place, independence, which he will earn.

"I'm not getting anything for free," he said.

 

Parish to recognize veterans

 

As part of its celebration of Parish Government Awareness Month, the Caddo Parish Commission plans to support our veterans through the Lance Corporal Dakota Huse Memorial Volksmarch.

 

The event will be a family-friendly walk through the woods at Eddie D. Jones Park starting at 9 a.m. April 30. Registration is $10 for individuals and $25 for families. All proceeds will benefit the Veterans Transitional Living Program.

 

More details will be available soon! 

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Coming soon
Tour the Veterans Transitional Living Program
 
11 a.m. Wed. April 6
453 Jordan St. 
  
  On any given day, about 180 homeless veterans live in northwest Louisiana.

 

Come visit our facility and hear from a veteran whose life has been changed.
 
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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