Safety Net

The country these days seems increasingly divided into two
groups: those who  look to government for all the answers
and those who believe the private sector can provide the
solutions. But neither is able to address the many problems
facing our communities today - which is where the nonprofit
sector comes in.


Perhaps at no time has the need for nonprofit organizations that
help vulnerable and underserved populations been greater than it
is today. And, as more people rely on them, they face ever
greater challenges.


George Bell is President and CEO of the Capital Area United Way,
which serves 10 parishes through programs focused specifically on
early childhood education, income stability, health and basic
needs.


George is a retired healthcare executive, originally from
Thibodeaux, who took over at the agency in 2015, after a 30-year
career in health care management with private physician practices
including most recently, Baton Rouge General. George is also a
community volunteer and a trumpet player, performing at his
church, local schools and, even the Manship theater. 


Vicki Ellis is Founder and Executive Director of Heritage Ranch,
a Christian Children’s Home located on a sprawling 53-acre campus
in Zachary outside of Baton Rouge.


Heritage Ranch provides residential care, counseling, and
educational and emotional support to boys between the ages of 10
and 18.


Vicki founded Heritage Ranch in 2004. Initially, it provided its
programming through the school systems in East Baton Rouge and
West Feliciana parishes. In 2015, she opened the residential
facility in Zachary, which is staffed by husband-and-wife teams,
who model parenting for the at-risk students and help them
improve peer communications and relationships, while providing
life skills training and academic remediation. Vicki does all
this while also raising five children!


Out to Lunch is recorded live over lunch at Mansurs on the
Boulevard in Baton Rouge. You can find photos from this show by
Chris Tricou at our website. Talking of which, completely
unrelated, but we just came across this show from 2017 and
thought you might like to check it out - it's all about 3 Baton
Rouge business women who have gotten their products and
themselves on QVC.


 


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