Highland Haven

Volunteers of America's Brandy McNeill in front of the new safe haven for teen-age girls in Shreveport.

Nearly two years ago, one of these teenagers approached the Volunteers of America of North Louisiana seeking help. She had been in foster care most of her life, and had committed the system's ultimate sin: she turned 18 and, since she wasn't continuing her education, the state gave her a bus ticket and wished her good luck. Her story ended up in the hands of Brandy McNeill, Vice President of Children, Family and Senior Services for the agency.

Brandy had worked the service delivery system in the Shreveport-Bossier community and knew there was nothing for that in-between population. Volunteers of America found resources to help this one person, but Brandy set her mind to finding a solution for all those in need. So she and her staff began to plan for a safe place, a haven if you will, for those dangerously living on the streets. They did not have to look too far for a location, largely because they initially used space in the Highland Center, where they have offices. The space is symbolic because it was initially set up to house disabled victims from Hurricane Katrina, who have all been moved into permanent housing. They called it Highland Haven. The residency program will soon move to a duplex nearby in the Highland neighborhood, which will house up to eight females. They opened on May 1, 2008, and currently have six residents. Volunteers of America works with state agencies to access funding to serve these youth. They are providing shelter and independent living skills to a population that needs support and guidance on everything from grocery shopping to choosing a career path. Brandy is hopeful that Volunteers of America will be a safe haven for this population for as long as the need exists. And she won't stop with just one safe haven - she is already planning for another facility that will serve males. She surely is following the tradition of Volunteers of America established by its founder Balington Booth many years ago: to go wherever we are needed and do whatever comes to hand.