Volunteer Opportunities

The Central St. Matthew Social Action and Mission Committee would like to let our membership know of volunteer opportunities in our community. We know that many of you are already involved in individual volunteer work but there may be many of you who have a little extra time and are ready to jump into a project or make a commitment to an organization that needs your help. We will be spotlighting some of the opportunities in our community over the next couple of months and hope that you will find a match for your interests and talents.

Our first spotlight will be on Belle Reve, which is directed by our own Vicki Weeks.

Belle Reve New Orleans is one of only a handful of licensed assisted living facilities for persons with AIDS in the state of Louisiana. Their mission is to provide permanent and transitional housing, along with full support services, to adults and families living with AIDS or HIV-related infections.

Since Belle Reve opened its doors, in April of 1993, it has provided a home and support services for low-income adults and families, whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS. Belle Reve strives to provide total care to individuals and families who are at varying stages of mental and physical health.

For some residents, it is a temporary shelter, helping people to transition, from an extended hospital stay, from a serious health problem or from homelessness, to a return to independent living. For others, Belle Reve will serve as permanent housing and they will receive continued assistance at Belle Reve, while receiving outside hospice care, in the most comfortable environment possible.

Contact Executive Director Vicki Weeks at 504-942-2670, if you feel you would like to volunteer your time helping this community. She will be happy to match up the time you can give and your talents with some of the work that is being done at Belle Reve.

Donations may also be made securely online at: http://www.bellerevenola.org/Belle_Reve/Volunteer_Donate.html

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Anyone who has an interest in the planning and beginning of a community garden at the Bienville campus please call or email Marie Weatherspoon (mswspoon12@yahoo.com 251-9079) or Arlean Fermanis (afermanis@sprynet.com 866-8908). It is an exciting idea for the community and we need your help in getting the idea off the ground.