SB NON PROFIT Archives - SB Magazine

SB NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT: CASA

SB Magazine — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 20:09:49 +0000

Volunteers who serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) dedicate their time and effort to being the voice for children in the foster care system.

Cathy and Ralph Tomlinson are part of Volunteers for Youth Justice’s CASA team. Ralph Tomlinson joined the team in 2017, shortly after retiring from working in the oil and gas industry for 35 years. His wife Cathy followed in 2021, soon after retiring as a registered nurse. She was compelled by Ralph’s stories of having had a positive influence on several children’s lives.

Ralph has advocated on behalf of 15 children in five different court cases, while Cathy has advocated for five children in three. They are both strong advocates who work endlessly to make a difference for each child assigned to them. Theirs is the kind of dedication that has led them to travel without hesitation, even as far as places like Natchitoches and Sulphur, to meet personally with their child, seeking to connect and build trust with them. The couple have been a great asset to the CASA team taking pride in their work, ensuring safety and permanency for a child in foster care.

1.What inspires you about Volunteers for Youth Justice’s mission?

It’s inspiring to see how many children’s lives VYJ has been able to impact. The obvious part is that we see change and make a difference in each individual child’s life. But we also help improve the trajectory of not only that child’s life but that of their own children and countless other lives that he or she will have the chance to impact.

We get a chance to speak and help and advocate for children who are abused and neglected, children who are definitely in need. I think we just want to be part of the change to help each child get to live in a better situation. These are children that the Department of Child and Family Services has removed from their home, and judges have to make decisions about a given child’s placement. As advocates, we speak with the child at least monthly and otherwise interact with everyone involved in the child’s life, whether it is foster parents, therapists, doctors, or teachers, in order to help inform judges’ decisions. As CASAs, we have been appointed by the court and have access to gain whatever insight is important in order to make our recommendations according to what we learn.

2. In what ways do you personally gain purpose from the work you do for VYJ?

Cathy: As I have spent time with these children, I’ve felt fulfilled from the chance to be a positive and stable influence. It is rewarding to help these children realize that their feelings are important and that we are there to listen to them and help them to help their voices be heard. Spiritually, it gives us the chance to grow in our prayer life, asking for wisdom as we make our recommendations and asking for positive change for the child and their family.

Ralph: It gives me a sense of self-worth to have a case that clearly has turned out for everyone’s good. The reality is that doesn’t happen every time, and so there also are times of frustration. Yet, even then, I know the situation quite possibly would have had some less fortunate outcome had I not been involved. Until I became involved in this work, I didn’t have a good grasp of just how many children experience circumstances that require removal from their parent’s care and how deeply stressful and painful it can be for them. I see how even when I only can help in the smallest of ways, it often has significant benefits to my child’s quality of life.

3. What are some shorter- and longer-term goals that keep you passionate and motivated to continue working with them?

Volunteers for Youth Justice has initiated and maintains so many different programs that are so important for children who are having to grow up under difficult circumstances, and CASA is just one of those. So, it is easy to be passionate about an organization that is so intensely interested in intervening in whatever ways can possibly help those children enjoy better stability and develop into adults prepared to break any negative cycles for their own families. And specific to our work as CASAs, VYJ is so good about providing educational opportunities and a whole variety of resources. The support we receive from Kelli and the entire staff is exceptional. We feel motivated because of that and also because we see how real the need is for adults just like us to fill the void for these children. So, in the short term, we not only want to continue doing what we can, but we want to help attract even more compassionate, qualified adult volunteers to carve out time to be trained and to help. In the longer term, we know there will continue to be multiple ways, even beyond CASA, that we can benefit children facing difficult conditions, and so we expect to be making a difference for years to come.

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SB NON PROFIT: DR. BRUNO ALVAREZ

SB Magazine — Mon, 20 May 2024 15:58:06 +0000

Dr. Bruno Alvarez – A True Heart of Service

Dr. Bruno Alvarez is a volunteer physician who exemplifies the core values of MLK Health Center. He consistently takes a true patient-centered approach to healthcare. Each appointment begins with a handshake and warm welcome, and after the first visit or two, that handshake fairly often is replaced with a hug.

Patients leave appointments feeling genuinely heard, having experienced Dr. Alvarez’ empathy and respect for their dignity. For example, it is not uncommon to see him take a knee to be at eye level with a patient who is expressing their struggle with diabetes. He goes above and beyond to educate patients about their chronic diseases, answering every question. And as a result, the trust that he has inspired among his patients, individually and collectively, is exceptional.

More broadly, Dr. Alvarez holds a true heart of service for patients and everyone on the care team. He is intentional about fostering collegiality in every relationship. Those who work beside him know to expect a “hello” to everyone as he enters or “goodbye” as he exits. This may initially seem like a small gesture, but honestly, it is one of many ways in which he conveys the value he places on every relationship at MLK Health Center.

As Sue Walden, a patient advocate at MLK, said recently, “That’s the way medicine is supposed to be.”

What inspires you about MLK Health Center's mission?

MLK Health Center plays a unique role in our community. It provides healthcare for those who are unable to afford it, addressing common chronic problems like hypertension or diabetes. That alone is already remarkable. However, over 30 years, MLK has established itself as a reference point for people who otherwise feel disenfranchised, empowering healing relationships beyond a simple medication regimen to strengthen agency and trust. We could attribute it all to the nutrition classes, physical therapy, grocery tours, or the beautiful (and educational) garden the staff works to maintain. Still, it comes down to the organization and the people working there. They genuinely live their mission, and I cannot help but be inspired by their compassion and work ethic.

In what ways do you personally gain purpose from the work you do for MLK Health?

Acknowledging our larger role in the community always keeps me grounded while driving to the Health Center, even if it’s already been a long day by the time I get there. I am exceptionally energized about taking care of my patient cohort, some of whom I have come to know closely over time and many of whom are Hispanic. The opportunity to have even a limited impact on the Hispanic community through my role at MLK has become part of my identity. Moreover, understanding the value we provide to everyone we serve and how I can contribute is why most of us go into Medical School in the first place.

What shorter- and longer-term goals keep you passionate and motivated to continue working with them?

One of the shorter-term goals that we have started discussing is diabetic foot health. Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic amputation in this country, and most of our patients depend on their ability to maintain an income to keep their families afloat. Optimal diabetes control remains the priority, but by developing an education and screening protocol, we can identify those at the highest risk of complications. As patients lose sensation attributable to diabetes nerve damage, one can try to limit the chances that unattended wounds progress to amputations.

Regarding long-term goals, I would like to continue working with MLK leadership to improve community health in our area, particularly Hispanic health. This might include recruiting more providers to our roster or further community outreach efforts. Regardless, I am confident that the leadership and every team member in this organization will continue their efforts to improve Northwest Louisiana’s health. I want to be a part of it.

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WHO’S IN CHARGE

SB Magazine — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 15:27:43 +0000

Spinning plates is a performance art that dates back to the 3rd century. This entertainment, also known as the Dance of the Seven Plates, takes skill and focus. The key to keeping all the plates going is to look at the big picture – looking at all the plates at once. When you see one plate wobble, you re-balance it while staying focused on the whole system.

Amanda Felan is a professional plate spinner, just not the kind who performs on a stage. She’s a dynamic woman who has made a name for herself in various fields. She is a wife, a mother, a co-owner of a restaurant, and a marketing and development director for the Community Foundation of North Louisiana. Armed with a master’s degree in social work and non-profit management, Amanda has a diverse background that has allowed her to excel in all her roles.

One of those roles is co-owner of Fat Calf Brasserie, a local restaurant offering French-inspired Southern cuisine in the Highland community of Shreveport. She and her husband, Chef Anthony Felan, were just getting established when COVID-19 hit. They did their best to keep the doors open by offering take-out but quickly found that what they offered wasn’t conducive to take-out and couldn’t sustain the business. So, they closed for the duration of the epidemic. In the meantime, the couple and their son, Jaxson, welcomed their second child, Ella. COVID-19 afforded them quality family time with the baby and an opportunity to regroup. When Fat Calf Brasserie re-opened, they discovered that their loyal customers were just as anxious as they were to walk back through the doors. They now have a second location designed for special event seating. 2nd Act, located in a historic building on Olive Street in Shreveport, offers catered events such as wine dinners, themed parties, birthdays, anniversaries, and more. Amanda’s plate-spinning talent count is now at four.

In addition to her role at Fat Calf Brasserie, Amanda is also the director of marketing and development for the Community Foundation of North Louisiana. In this role, she is responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies to promote the foundation’s mission and programs. She is also responsible for fundraising efforts to support the foundation’s work in the community. Her background in marketing and development has been an asset to the foundation and has been instrumental in helping the organization achieve its goals. Her work at the foundation is critical to the success of its initiatives, including supporting early learning centers, promoting arts and culture, and providing disaster relief. Her accomplishments at the foundation include increasing the organization’s visibility and community engagement and expanding its donor base. Under her leadership, the foundation has seen significant growth in its fundraising efforts, resulting in increased resources to support the community.

One of the key ways in which Felan has helped the foundation grow is by building strong relationships with donors and community partners. Through her efforts, she has been able to secure significant contributions from individuals, organizations, and donor-advised funds. This has allowed the foundation to expand its grant-making programs and support a wider range of community initiatives. “Think of the Community Foundation as a trust fund for donors,” Amanda says. “We act as stewards for our donors.” Give for Good is one of those initiatives that has raised over three million dollars for area non-profits. Additionally, Felan has worked to increase the foundation’s presence on social media and other digital platforms, helping to raise awareness of its mission and engage with a broader audience. “Businesses depend on a community that thrives,” she says. When people are doing well, reaching goals, and helping to build a better community, we all benefit. That’s the purpose of the Community Foundation: to strengthen our community through philanthropy.

Amanda Felan is one remarkable woman who has significantly impacted her community and local businesses. She spins many plates while still maintaining a high level of dedication and passion. Her contributions to the Community Foundation of North Louisiana and Fat Calf Brasserie have helped to improve the lives of those around her, and her commitment to sustainability and ethical practices is a shining example for others to follow. She keeps all her plates spinning amazingly well. I think we can all learn from Amanda’s example of hard work, dedication, and community involvement.

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SB NON PROFIT: WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS

SB Magazine — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 23:54:57 +0000

“Over the past 25 years that the Gingerbread House has been serving our community, we have been blessed with amazing, caring individuals. Lauren is a great example. To me, she epitomizes servant leadership. It is a joy to be around someone with such a positive outlook and willingness to help anywhere and anytime needed. She is an integral part of the good work the Gingerbread House does on behalf of children who have endured difficult and often tragic experiences.”

-Jessica Milan Miller, Chief Executive officer for Gingerbread House.

Lauren Nunnery champions the cause of helping children who have been abused. An insurance agent for the Louisiana Farm Bureau, she has been an avid supporter of the Gingerbread House Children’s Advocacy Center for the past six years, and particularly since 2021, having assisted with almost every event the organization has hosted. The Board of Directors elected Lauren last January to help lead the Gingerbread House as Vice President. “Her kind and genuine words are always uplifting,” said one staff member. Another noted that Lauren loves surprising the staff with treats on particularly tough days. She is especially dedicated to helping with outreach—always among the first to sign up for volunteer work shifts to help teach others about the Gingerbread House and be active in promoting and supporting existing events or conceptualizing new ones.
Jessica Milan Miller, Chief Executive Officer for Gingerbread House, added, “Over the past 25 years that the Gingerbread House has been serving our community, we have been blessed with amazing, caring individuals. Lauren is a great example. To me, she epitomizes servant leadership. It is a joy to be around someone with such a positive outlook and willingness to help
anywhere and anytime needed. She is an integral part of the good work the Gingerbread House does on behalf of children who have endured difficult and often tragic experiences.”

What inspires Lauren Nunnery about Gingerbread House’s mission?

The mission of the Gingerbread House is so inspiring to me because it gives children a voice in situations where they might not normally have one. When children are the victims of trauma, it’s the goal of the Gingerbread House to make sure their voices are heard, they are as comfortable as possible during the interview process, and they get the counseling that they need to heal. Every staff member approaches every case with the compassion and determination needed to make that child whole again. The better question is, how could I not be inspired by the mission of this organization?

In what ways do you personally gain purpose from the work you do for the Gingerbread House?

The real work performed is by the staff members. These are people who have been educated and specially trained to know how to engage, counsel, and be a calming influence while also acquiring insight that is important for being an advocate for each child from a legal perspective. We, as a board, are here to support the decisions they make to better the lives of the children they serve. What they see, hear, and feel every day is unimaginable. Their work with each child is heroic. I hope they know they are backed by a board that believes in each and every one of them. This gives me purpose.

What are some shorter- and longer-term goals that keep you passionate and motivated to continue working with them?

The Gingerbread House is a nonprofit organization, so fundraising is vital to its existence. My short- and long-term goals are to continue to bring awareness to what they do for all the children they serve. I am so fulfilled when I can educate someone about their mission and lead them to support the cause in some way. If anyone would like to know more about what they do, meet the amazing people who do it, or support them in some way, I can definitely help with that. It would be my honor.

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SB NON PROFIT: THE VALUE OF GIVING BACK

SB Magazine — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:50:52 +0000

United Way of Northwest Louisiana (UWNWLA) proudly spotlights Toni Tyner, board member, and outstanding volunteer, in celebration of her dedication as a volunteer fundraiser, community leader, and advocate. UWNWLA’s mission is to fight for the health, education, financial stability, and essential needs of everyone in our community, and Toni has played a crucial role in our organization’s success. She served as the UWNWLA Workplace Campaign Ambassador for Progressive Bank, resulting in the company’s increased giving in 2023. She also helped secure funding and volunteers for our annual Day of Caring celebration. Most recently, Toni assisted UWNWLA in registering children attending Pre-K at Pine Grove Elementary for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that provides free, age-appropriate books to children to help them become kindergarten-ready. Toni Tyner’s unwavering commitment and exceptional fundraising skills have provided a solid foundation for our organization’s continued success. Her leadership and dedication have left an indelible mark on our achievements, and we are honored to have the opportunity to highlight all she has done for us and our community.

What inspires Toni Tyner about United Way of Northwest Louisiana's mission?

Growing up in a large family, I learned the value of being united at an early age. It is a fact that at some point in everyone’s life, they will need to lean on another for help. United Way is dedicated to helping people from all walks and stages of life. Not only are they proactive with their services through their education efforts and boots-on-the-ground approach, but they are there when life is at its worst. In early adulthood, I personally benefited from United Way’s services. To echo the late poet, Theodore Roosevelt, “People may not remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.” The overwhelming gratitude for the support I received remains constant in me. This motivates and inspires me to support United Way and its mission to evoke this emotion in others.

In what ways do you personally gain purpose from the work you do for United Way?

My professional area of expertise is financial literacy. However, I find an overall personal purpose in helping others in any way possible. I know firsthand the value of financial literacy and how understanding money management, banking, and investing can be a catalyst to choosing a life that breaks away from generational poverty or relies upon passed-down generational wealth. A health enthusiast in my own right, I regard health as wealth. Spreading awareness throughout the community of the services provided by United Way, such as the Single Care Prescription Discount program, the Financial Empowerment Center, and a multitude of other services, allows me to fulfill my purpose of being a service to others.

What shorter- and longer-term goals keep you passionate and motivated to continue working with the United Way?

I am dedicated to improving the quality of life of members of our community. I aspire to see more stable homeowners and financial literacy programs that result in financial stability for the underprivileged, a better quality of life because of proper healthcare access to food and services that support holistic, healthy living, and adequate education for children to create more opportunities for productive adulthood. My short-term goal is to donate as much free time as possible, sharing my professional talents and personal experiences to achieve long-term goals. Healthy living and financial stability can enhance the overall quality of life.

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SB NON PROFIT: ADVOCATES FOR KIDS

SB Magazine — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 20:33:35 +0000

Volunteers for Youth Justice (VYJ) is a community-supported non-profit organization whose mission is to provide care for children, youth, and families in crisis. It began in 1981 the need to break the destructive cycle of at-risk youths was recognized and the work began to assist the Juvenile Court in diverting first-time offenders. These efforts became the catalyst that launched Volunteers for Youth Justice (VYJ), formerly known as the Shreveport Juvenile Justice Program.

VYJ has five primary programs:

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
GEMS & GENTS-Youth Mentoring Programs and Leadership Academy, JUMPSTART, Teen Court, and Conflict Resolution.
Court Programs that consist of FINS (Families in Need of Services), Facts of Life, and Truancy.
TASC (Truancy Assessment Service Center) K through 5 school attendance.
TBRI® (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) Trauma-focused services.
Misdemeanor Referral Center

VYJ has a proven track record of success. It is a story of dreams and possibilities. Through the vision of a few active and caring individuals, the unwavering support of the Judges and court staff, and the groundswell of compassionate volunteers, thousands of our community’s children have been given a light of hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Clifton Tate is one of those volunteers that we are recognizing today.

1. What inspires you about Volunteers for Youth Justice and its mission?

The mission of Volunteers for Youth Justice (VYJ) is to provide a community caring for children and youth of families in crisis. I have been a volunteer for VYJ for over 30 years, and for the last 8, most of my volunteer hours have been spent in the CASA program (Court Appointed Special Advocate) where I serve in an advocate role for children who have been removed from their parents’ household due to legal concerns.

Advocates like me (often called “CASAs”) make regular visits with a child to monitor his/her wellbeing. We also speak with the foster parents and any other involved parties that interact with the child such as teachers and counselors if the child is attending school. Based on what we learn, we write reports that family court judges consider during placement review hearings. This gives judges insight into how the child’s interim household environment seems to be working out. It inspires me whenever I think about how these children benefit from this and other programs of VYJ.

2. How do you personally gain purpose from the work you perform for that cause? Here

Without me and the others who serve as CASAs, these children would be significantly more vulnerable. So, it gives me an incredible sense of purpose.

When I first moved to Shreveport from Boston in 1986 there were a lot of gang killings of youths and young men, and this really weighed heavy on my mind. I would ask myself sometimes what I could do to help. After some time passed, I began being more intentional about that and began doing some research and praying on the matter. I discovered an organization named Shreveport Juvenile Justice Program, which is now called Volunteers for Youth Justice. While I was a little uncertain about exactly what I might be able to offer, I came to understand that I would be valuable by merely being a good listener to what the children and youth had to say.

3. What are some shorter-term and longer-term goals of the organization that keep you passionate and motivated to continue working with them?

A constant goal for CASA is to have enough volunteers to meet the need, so I am not only passionate about continuing this work myself but also helping attract others to it.

In the short term, I also want to see VYJ continue to improve the scope of the programs we offer, and that means VYJ must continue to evaluate the needs of the community. One example of that has been The Harbor, which is a one-stop shop where many needed services are made available from one location.

As for the long term, VYJ has been very fortunate in obtaining grants and donations from different community organizations that have allowed the program to grow and expand to provide more needed services for the community. A goal I would like for VYJ to achieve is to accumulate more corporate sponsorship.

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SB NON PROFIT: GIVING WITH PEACE OF MIND

SB Magazine — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 15:14:59 +0000

Soon you will enjoy reading about some of the most highly valued volunteers working for our area’s Accredited Charities. With each new issue, you will learn about a different individual who works passionately for a different good cause—why they are inspired by the nonprofit’s mission, how they gain purpose from their work, and what short-term and longer-term hopes they aspire to see satisfied.
An Accredited Charity is one that has met 20 national standards that look at compliance with widely accepted expectations of nonprofits regarding their governance, effectiveness measures, finances, and integrity of their marketing publications. These are standards established by the Wise Giving Alliance, a sister affiliate of the Better Business Bureau.

Within the past year, the Better Business Bureau for Shreveport and the surrounding region decided to join with many other BBBs across the nation that have been conducting Charity Review programs over time. In doing that, the BBB Board of Directors made a community service commitment to assess the hundreds of nonprofits within its geographical footprint according to the 20 standards. The expense of conducting reviews is borne completely by the BBB, which means there is no cost to individual 501(c)3 organizations.

To date, six local nonprofits have achieved accreditation: Volunteers for Youth Justice, MLK Health Center, United Way of Northwest Louisiana, Providence House, Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana, and Gingerbread House. Within the next 6-12 months, the BBB anticipates that another 10-20 organizations will be able to satisfy the 20 standards and lay claim to accreditation.

A nonprofit either qualifies as accredited or if not, is informed as to the precise standards that remain to be achieved in time for their next scheduled review. Results are viewable at the BBB.org and Give.org websites.

Why is this important? As a consumer, how do you know when to feel good about trading your hard-earned money for a product or a service?

Many would say it is the natural result of the degree to which satisfaction with the product or service meets, exceeds, or falls short of expectations. How do you know when to feel good about giving away your hard-earned money to, what would seem to be on the surface, a good cause? After all, there is no product or service personally received. And, typically, there is no specific expectation for any specific outcome. How, then, can you reasonably conclude your contribution made a genuine difference for an effective charity and those whose lives it claims to attempt to improve?

In his book, Giving Done Right, Phil Buchanan, Director of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, states:

“There is simply no universal measure for nonprofits [i.e., to identify the higher achievers from the lower]—this is why there will never be an analog to a stock exchange… the idea has been endlessly discussed and never fulfilled because it makes no sense. It’s not just that there will never be a universal metric. It’s that our values come into play. The complexity of assessing nonprofit performance doesn’t make performance assessment any less important; quite the opposite…. Unfortunately, it’s too easy for nonprofits to be deemed “high impact” or “high performance” when they’re not. Some of the same organizations that have been the most celebrated and supported because of their performance have actually produced mixed results. These organizations include big-name, respected nonprofits…. Meanwhile, many nonprofits with great results labor in virtual anonymity and struggle to raise money.”

Said another way, the upside of generous households making their giving intentional and well-informed is that those nonprofits more deserving of your support will be more likely to benefit. And the ripple effect is that, as more households take that approach, the overall nonprofit sector benefits in Shreveport and beyond. Why? It is because organizations with better ideas, strategies, and efficiencies are better able to sustain support. The logical outcome of that is that more lives are qualitatively made better.

Connecting the dots, then, there is reason for confidence that giving money, time, or talent to an Accredited Charity makes more lives qualitatively better. To be clear, that is not to say that one can only be confident when contributing to Accredited Charities. Rather, it is merely to suggest that additional discretion may be merited when considering generosity toward those that have not yet earned accreditation.

By spotlighting some of Accredited Charities’ most admirable volunteers, SB Magazine ultimately is participating in helping our area’s more effective nonprofits to elevate the quality of life for more people.

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Literacy Volunteers at Centenary College

SB Magazine — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 16:17:54 +0000

By Ursula Brantley

Illiteracy among adults in America is a tragic reality that affects thousands of individuals and families. Studies done by the National Literacy Institute show that around 54% of adults in the United States read below a 6th-grade level and around 21% are illiterate. In Northwest Louisiana, around 1 in every 4 people are functionally illiterate. Since the mid-1980s, Literacy Volunteers at Centenary College have been dedicated to fighting the battle against functional illiteracy in northwest Louisiana. LVCC Executive Director Patrick Quick began volunteering with LVCC in 2021 and officially accepted the Executive Director offer from the board of directors in July 2023. “The idea of tutoring may sound a little daunting, but it’s not. My first student was a Basic Literacy learner. With online tools, student workbooks, a little bravery, and a strong sense of humor, my students and I have had wonderful times together. It’s rewarding for teachers and students,” says Quick.

Formerly Literacy Volunteers of America, LVCC stands by their mission: teaching literacy; bringing hope; changing lives. When the organization initially opened its doors, it only offered Basic Literacy. They’ve since grown to add programs such as Pre-HiSET (GED) Learning, English as a Second Language, and Spoken English Learning as the need presented itself. Students are tutored one on one or in small groups by volunteers from Centenary and the surrounding areas. Quick explains, “Literacy is the closest we come to true magic. It unlocks individual potential in terms of improved personal satisfaction, family life, work opportunities, the standard of living, and so much more”. The number of tutors at LVCC varies depending on the time of year, student demand, and tutor availability. For example, there were 12 active tutors during this past school year and eight this summer.

When COVID hit, LVCC took some blows like several other organizations. Programs like US Citizenship assistance, Health Literacy Learning, Digital Literacy, and Safety Learning came to a halt due to limits on on-site classes. Quick explains, “These program offerings will be re-enlivened as student demand and tutor availability increases. ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) Learning is on the table, too. The ASVAB test measures a young adult’s strengths and potential for success in military training. LVCC’s goal will be to prepare young men and women for the ASVAB test to broaden their options for military specialty positions.”

Although COVID was a cause for adjustment, there was some light that came from the darkness. Zoom classes were offered to students during the pandemic and continued even after the world began to open back up. “If necessity is the mother of invention, then adversity must surely be the father of reinvention. (Johnny Flora) held true for both LVCC and ProLiteracy America, of whom we are an affiliate,” says Quick. He went on to say, “Our LVCC tutors decided out of necessity that they would not abandon their students to the COVID unpleasantness. Several of our long-time loyal tutors reinvented their tutoring style to accommodate their students with Zoom learning. As a result, they can successfully tutor anyone, anywhere, even in other nations. We can do so locally, as well”.

LVCC has begun to partner with various organizations, such as Providence House and Heart of Hope, to assist more adults that need their services. LVCC shares its ProLiteracy print and digital curriculum in exchange for teaching knowledge and potential tutoring opportunities to further its reach. LVCC also works with BPCC College Transition Program by providing access to their Basic Literacy programs in exchange for access to state-approved literacy skills assessments and admission to their Transition Program for LVCC students. LVCC is currently recruiting tutors and volunteer mentors/cheerleaders in anticipation of student demand in September, especially for their new online Pre-HiSET (GED) students. Those who are interested in experiencing the fun and gratification of tutoring and volunteering are encouraged to contact LVCC offices by email, literacyvolunteers837@gmail.com, or by phone, 318-869-2411.

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