SHREVEPORT, La. – The Women’s Philanthropy Network (WPN), a giving circle dedicated to improving the lives of children in Caddo Parish, awarded $120,000 in grants to Volunteers for Youth Justice (VYJ) and Volunteers of America North Louisiana (VOANLA) during its Annual Meeting on May 20 at Shriners Children’s Shreveport.
Each nonprofit received a $60,000 grant to support programs that align with WPN’s mission of enhancing school readiness and student achievement. The funds are the result of pooled member contributions, which are awarded annually after a competitive review and membership vote.
Volunteers for Youth Justice was selected for its School Based Resource Center, a trauma-informed, relationship-based program that provides on-campus support for at-risk students facing challenges related to truancy and trauma. Rooted in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) principles, the program “focuses on building resilience, strengthening emotional regulation, and restoring a sense of safety for students who have experienced adversity.”
Volunteers of America North Louisiana will use its grant to support Communities in Schools (CIS) and The LightHouse (LH) at Broadmoor STEM Academy. The CIS program serves K-12 students in Caddo Parish Achievement Zone schools, focusing on attendance, behavior, and academic performance. The LightHouse program provides additional after-school support. With both programs co-located at Broadmoor, “VOANLA can seamlessly transition into afternoon and evening programming and activities, bolstering its impact on these students.”
Founded in 2005, WPN has now granted more than $1.7 million to effective educational initiatives in the community. In addition to annual grantmaking, 20% of member dues are invested in an endowed fund, currently valued at over $600,000, to ensure future impact.
WPN is administered by the Community Foundation of North Louisiana, which manages the endowment, oversees the grant process, and supports the group’s operations.
To learn more about the Women’s Philanthropy Network, visit cfnla.org/wpn.