Volunteers forYouth Justicea community caring for children in crisis

Newsletter August 2017

Louisiana CASA Association Announces Winners of GEAUX BLUE Awards

Each year Louisiana CASA Association recognizes the hardwork of individuals who are dedicated to making the lives ofour children better. We are proudto announce that 3 nomineesfrom Volunteers for Youth Justicereceived this prestigious honor.

Louisiana CASA Judge of theYear – Judge Paul Young

Louisiana CASA Program StaffMember of the Year – SandraSamuel

Louisiana CASA Board Memberof the Year – Clifton Tate

Judge Young is a huge supporter of the CASA program.He understands that an effective relationship between CASA and

the Court is a key factor in providing successful advocacy forabused and neglected children.His statewide involvement isclearly recognized as he continues to institute action plans that aid the CASA Programin maintaining a status of excellence. Sandra Samuel has been withVYJ for 5 years and plays a majorrole in enhancing the quality ofour program’s advocacy. She hasgone above and beyond toheighten community awarenessof issues facing abused and neglected children throughoutNorthwest Louisiana. Sandra is a passionate leader who continually seeks new opportunities to institute programs and trainings to servethe best interest of children in

foster care. Clifton Tate is not your typicalvolunteer. “Clifton is quick to stepforward when he is made awareof a need,” stated Kelli Todd, VYJExecutive Director. For over 30years, Clifton has given generously of his time and energy. His mentoring to youth,and dedication to the CASA Program has produced an immeasurable impact on all thelives he has touched. VYJ isgrateful to have such a dedicatedVolunteer and past Board Member. These individuals work tirelesslyto empower the lives of otherswhile supporting the mission ofVYJ. These VYJ heroes werehonored at the Geaux BlueAwards Event on April 27th inBaton Rouge.

VYJ Newsletter August 2017

GEMS & GENTS SUMMER PROGRAM Volunteers for Youth Justice’s GEMS & GENTS Mentoring hosted a 4 weeksummer program at J.S. Clark Elementary. During this 4 week session,fifteen 5th and 6th grade students wereable to enhance their academic skills in the subject areas of English and Mathematics. These subjects weretaught by two counselors who are certified teachers in the specific areas.Students were also introduced to a variety of social skills through the Second Step Curriculum. The socialskills classes helped the students worktogether as a team, communicate withone another, and identify the leadership

qualities they share. Students also received training in the area of STEM.Through a partnership with Sci-Port, students were able to learn about thescience of sports by becoming a scientist for 4 days. In one activity, theywere able to create their own sportdrinks. The program culminated with avisit to Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Parkin Blanchard where the students learnedabout different types of reptiles and theywent on a nature walk. This program was supported by agrant from the Women’s PhilanthropyFund of the Community Foundation ofNorth Louisiana.

Engaging in the ‘puzzling’ ‘monopoly’ of ‘life’ whilecasually conversing. (Playing board games)

Students showed their creativity designing shirts.

Someone is excited to start the day!

Don’t be bashful! It’s scary how fun learning can be..! A. Stewart - Summer Camp Farewells

Thanks to you,Volunteers for Youth Justice

raised over

$11,000!170 non-profits

participated in Give for Good together the community raised

$1,664,583

DO YOU LIKE TO VOLUNTEER?WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!

Volunteer in our food booth at the Red River Revel

September 30 – October 7(Each shift is 4 hours)

For more information contact Amie Baham at(318)425-4413 or amie.roberts@vyjla.org

Volunteer at our Gumbo

Gladiators/Gumbo Cook-off

This is our largest fundraiserSaturday, March 24, 2018

Volunteers for Youth Justice (VYJ) is a volunteer-based, community supportednon-profit organization whose mission is toprovide a community caring for children,youth and families in crisis.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSPRESIDENTLaurie Lyons

VICE PRESIDENTPhillip Martinez

SECRETARYSarah Garrett

TREASURERJason Berard

BOARD MEMBERSDiane AtkinsGary Bazer

Kristen BernardDeanna BeaubouefBetty HendersonKathy MittonPam MoserSteve Prator

Carlos PrudhommeLizbeth RosadoRick Rose

Logan SchroederErica D. ThomasRiley WaddellAngie White

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORKelli Todd

COMMUNITY SPONSORS

05.02.17

VYJ Newsletter August 2017

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANDUNITED WAY CHECK PRESENTATIONS

TEEN COURT VOLUNTEER TRAINING

We were very fortunate to have Ashley Northington, owner of DenorBrands & Public Relations, based in Nashville, Tennessee, here toshare with our Teen Court volunteers, tips on how to plan for their futures. Students worked through the Dream Planner, setting goalsand action plans for the next year and beyond.

ABOVE LEFT: Paula Hickman with The Community Foundation presenteda check during our July board meeting. The grants totaled $75,000,$60,000 for our Truancy Program and $15,000 for our CASA Program.ABOVE RIGHT: Bruce Wilson from the United Way of NorthwestLouisiana presented a $12,000 check for our Truancy Program.

VOLUNTEERS FOR YOUTHJUSTICE HERO OF THE YEAR

Each year VYJ selects a “Hero” who has exhibited exceptional dedication to our mission and the children we serve. James K. Elrod, President and CEO of Willis-Knighton Health Systems,received the award for his unwavering commitment to the education and well-being of the children in our community.

GUMBO GLADIATORS SAVE THE DATE

Go to www.gumbogladiators.com to learn more about team and sponsor opportunities.

SAVE THE DATE6TH ANNUAL BATTLE OFTHE GUMBO GLADIATORS

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Festival Plaza in Downtown Shreveport

Volunteers forYouth Justicea community caring for children in crisis

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) The CASA is a trained volunteer assigned by a judge to speakon behalf of children who are placed in foster care due to abuseor neglect. The CASA’s primary objective is to ensure that eachchild achieves a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible.

The role of the CASA is to gather critical information regardingall aspects of the child’s case, which are submitted in writing tothe judge. Their findings assist the court in making the most informed decision regarding the best interest of the child.

YOUTH PROGRAMSJUMPSTART (Power of Choice & Stamp Out Shoplifting): A diversion program providing educational workshops in a support groupsetting with volunteer facilitators trained to address the needsof at-risk youth.

Teen Court: A program designed to offer non-violent, first-time juvenile offenders the opportunity to be judged by a jury of their peers, accept responsibility for their actions, and makerestitution for their offenses.

Gems & Gents Mentoring: A program which brings together youngpeople with trained facilitators and adult mentors who assistwith their educational, relational, and emotional development.Individuals participate in group sessions, recreational activities,community service, and one-on-one mentoring.

Leadership Academy: A program of GEMS & GENTS, which provides a safe and supportive environment, whereby studentsare encouraged to improve their academic achievement, develop life skills, and embrace the servant leadership model forgiving back to their school and community. Students are pairedwith one-on-one mentors who serve as leadership role models.

Conflict Resolution: A collaborative effort between VYJ and theCaddo Parish School Board, designed to address the dynamicsthat lead to violent behavior, with the goal of preventing futureschool fight violations.

Facts of Life: A character development curriculum. This programis designed to provide adjudicated juvenile offenders from theage of 12-16 with a method of decision making.

FINS (Families in Need of Services): Programs for families on theverge of crisis due to the ungovernable behavior of a child. The primary goal of FINS is to secure appropriate services toremedy the family’s dysfunction.

Truancy FINS: Specialized FINS officers work with the CaddoParish school system, children and their families to identify the root cause of excessive unexcused absences. The goal is to secure appropriate services to remedy the cause.

TASC Truancy Assessment & Service CenterTASC is a prevention program, providing early identification andassessment of school absences for children grades K-5. Throughthis program, children and families are given the opportunity toinformally and voluntarily resolve chronic absenteeism withoutcourt involvement.

TASC acts as a referral network linking families to valuable resources within the community which address areas of riskwithin the family, as well as, properly identify the underlying connection between juvenile delinquency and truancy.

VOLUNTEERS FOR YOUTH JUSTICE (VYJ)VYJ was established in 1981 by members of First Presbyterian Church of Shreveport, with the mission of providing a community caring for children, youth, and families in crisis. VYJ has been leading the way in providing dynamic, life-changing programs for

abused, neglected and at-risk children in Northwest Louisiana for over 35 years.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

COURT PROGRAMS

CONTACT INFORMATION: 318-425-4413 www.vyjla.org

900 JORDAN ST. SUITE 102SHREVEPORT, LA 71101 (318) 425-4413WWW.VYJLA.ORG

NON-PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGEPAID

PERMIT #268SHREVEPORT LA