Be the difference in the life of a child.

Our 2016 Battle of the Gumbo Gladiators was a huge success!

The Fourth Annual Battle of the Gumbo Gladiators gumbo cook-off was held on March 19, 2016.   The event, a fundraiser for Volunteers for Youth Justice, took place at Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport.

Teams were predominantly from Shreveport-Bossier, plus a few teams from the heart of Cajun Country.  This year’s event had teams from Breaux Bridge, Baton Rouge, and Austin join with local teams in hopes of taking home the trophy for the tastiest gumbo in Louisiana!

Teams consist of home and tailgating cooks, caterers and professional chefs all passionate about “cooking up the best.” The blind judging process involved more than 30 judges who selected the top three winning teams for both the seafood and non-seafood categories, plus the People’s Choice Winner, chosen by attendees.

We had over 5,000 people attend the event and sampled some of over 50 pots of gumbo.

The 2016 Gumbo Champions are:

1st Place Seafood: Coffin Custom Pits & Burners
2nd Place Seafood: Gumbreaux’s
3rd Place Seafood: Oh Yay

1st Place Non-Seafood: Geaux Roux Yourself
2nd Place Non-Seafood: Cookin Cousins
3rd Place Non-Seafood: Thrifty

People’s Choice Award: Gumbooyah
Most Team Spirit: Wineauxs
Best Decorated Booth: Red White & Blue Bayou

Willis-Knighton Health System makes generous donation for VYJ TASC Truancy Program.

 

Volunteers for Youth Justice, with the Caddo District Attorney, Caddo Parish School Board and Willis-Knighton Health System plans to launch an enhanced truancy initiative in Caddo Parish.  It is designed to focus on truancy issues in children grades K-5, it will work to identify families early and provide rapid assessment and services in order to reduce school absences. We are honored to partner with organizations that value the education of the children in our community.

http://www.arklatexhomepage.com/news/local-news/caddo-parish-schools-unveils-truancy-plan

Carrabba's Fundraiser

Support VYJ on Wednesday, September 14th and 15th by eating at Carrabba’s.  Mention VYJ and 20% of your ticket (includes beverages) will be donated to VYJ.  Join us there during HAPPY HOUR on Thursday from 4:00 – 6:00 to learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer.