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August 2026 CEO’s Corner: Back to School, Back to Service

As students and families across Louisiana prepare for a new school year, August has been a season of learning, growth, and renewed commitment at Gulf Coast Social Services. Our teams have been busy helping families prepare for the classroom, strengthening community partnerships, and creating meaningful experiences for the individuals we serve.

I am also excited to announce that I have been selected to participate in the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute’s Class of 2027!

Our back-to-school efforts were especially visible in Alexandria, Houma, and Lafayette. The Alexandria team participated in the Save the Children Health Fair and Unitech Academy Back-to-School Bash. Houma hosted a back-to-school event, while Lafayette supported a community back-to-school drive. These activities reflect our commitment to helping children and families begin the school year with the resources, encouragement, and support they need to succeed.

Our teams also continued expanding community awareness of GCSS programs. Alexandria presented information about ECSS and Mobile Crisis services to the Central Louisiana Human Services District Board of Directors and participated in the Vernon Parish Coalition meeting. The Alexandria Zoo also generously donated 80 passes for children in our Short-Term Respite program. Lake Charles met with the Imperial Calcasieu Human Services Authority, Archer Institute, and Odyssey House of Louisiana. Our Lafayette team participated in a community baby shower and a resource fair.

In Houma, GCSS participated in the 2026 Growing Good Nonprofit Grants Program and Bayou Community Foundation ceremonies. The region also received a Relay For Life gift basket donation from Mitch’s Gardenware and Gifts and organized several client activities, including a Le Cirque Summer Camp field trip and a bowling event celebrating senior citizens. Baton Rouge clients enjoyed feeding ducks at the park and participating in a movie day, while the team also celebrated the birthdays of Demetric Williams and Thomas Netters.

August also brought a special story from New Orleans, where SIL client Kelly and his Direct Service Worker, Ms. Elvie, traveled to Dallas to visit Kelly’s mother. Moments like this demonstrate how our employees help the people we serve maintain meaningful family relationships, experience greater independence, and enjoy a better quality of life.

We are also pleased to congratulate Dylan Means, our new GCSS Regional Director in Hammond. Dylan joined GCSS in November 2020 and has served the Agency in several Accounting and administrative roles over the past five years. We look forward to his leadership as he works to strengthen and expand services throughout Hammond and the surrounding communities.

Finally, our Shreveport team is preparing for its Open House and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on Tuesday, September 1. The region is also planning a Lunch and Learn to increase awareness of ECSS and other GCSS services. We are excited to welcome our partners and community members as we celebrate GCSS’s continued growth in North Louisiana.

As we begin another school year, I want to thank our employees, community partners, donors, and supporters for continuing to learn, grow, and serve alongside us. Together, we are creating new opportunities and better outcomes for individuals and families throughout Louisiana.

To learn more about our services, volunteer opportunities, or ways to support our mission, please visit www.gcssla.org.

Thanks,

Willie Green, MPA

President/CEO

We are thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of Gulf Coast Social Services’ new Shreveport office!

This exciting expansion marks another step forward in our mission to serve individuals, families, and communities throughout Louisiana. Our Shreveport location will allow us to bring GCSS services and support to even more people while building new relationships throughout Northwest Louisiana.

Join Us Tuesday, September 1st!

Doors Open: 10:30 AM

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: 11:00 AM

Stop in and enjoy free food, sweet treats, and an opportunity to meet our team and learn more about the services Gulf Coast Social Services provides.

Everyone is invited! We encourage our GCSS team to spread the word and invite friends, family members, community partners, and anyone in the Shreveport area to join us. We would love a great crowd to help us celebrate this exciting new chapter!

Following the Grand Opening celebration, we’ll also host a Lunch & Learn highlighting our Early Childhood Supports and Services (ECSS) Program and how it supports individuals and families in the community.

We are so excited to plant new roots in Shreveport and continue expanding our reach across Louisiana. Come celebrate with us as we officially open our doors to the Shreveport community!

Congratulations to Willie Green, NORLI Class of 2027!

We are proud to congratulate our CEO, Willie Green, on his acceptance into the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (NORLI) Class of 2027!

NORLI is a highly regarded regional leadership development program that brings together a diverse group of accomplished professionals and community leaders from across the Greater New Orleans region. Through a series of educational sessions, meaningful discussions, and collaborative experiences, participants gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing our region while building relationships that encourage continued leadership, collaboration, and community impact.

Willie’s selection for the Class of 2027 is a wonderful recognition of his leadership, experience, and continued commitment to serving others. Throughout the program, he will have the opportunity to connect with fellow leaders from a variety of industries and organizations, exchange ideas, and gain new perspectives that will further strengthen his leadership at Gulf Coast Social Services and within the communities we serve.

We are incredibly proud to have Willie represent GCSS as a member of the NORLI Class of 2027 and look forward to following his journey throughout the program.

Congratulations, Willie, on this exciting and well-deserved achievement!

Congratulations to Dylan Means,

Regional Director of Hammond!

Dylan Means joined GCSS in November 2020 at our Central Office in Metairie, where he has spent the past five years serving the Agency in both Accounting and Administration. During this time, Dylan gained valuable experience supporting Agency operations and working alongside team members across our various regions and programs.

We are excited to announce that Dylan has taken the next step in his career with GCSS as the new Regional Director of the Hammond Regional Office!

In his new role, Dylan looks forward to building upon the exceptional level of client care that GCSS is known for while strengthening and expanding services throughout Hammond and the surrounding communities. He is especially excited to work more closely with the region’s clients, Direct Service Workers, and team members and to support the continued growth and success of the Hammond office.

Dylan’s transition from Accounting and Administration at Central Office into regional leadership is an exciting new chapter in his journey with GCSS and a wonderful example of professional growth within our Agency.

Please join us in congratulating Dylan Means on his new role and wishing him continued success as Regional Director of Hammond!

Around Our Regions: Community Highlights

Join us as we take a look at some of the wonderful things happening across our Gulf Coast Social Services regions!

In Alexandria, our team participated in the Save the Children Health Fair and presentations with the Central Louisiana Human Services District. We also received a generous donation of 80 passes from the Alexandria Zoo for our STR children to enjoy!

Over in Baton Rouge, there was plenty to celebrate with team birthdays, a fun day feeding the ducks, and a relaxing movie day!

In Houma, our team stayed busy in the community with Relay For Life, the 2026 Growing Good Grants Ceremony, and a fun-filled Senior Citizen Appreciation Day bowling outing. 🎳



We’re also sharing heartwarming moments from Lafayette’s Community Baby Shower and the St. Martin Parish Resource Fair, along with important community updates from Lake Charles, featuring the Imperial Calcasieu Human Services Authority, Archer Institute, and Odyssey House.

There’s always something happening across our regions, and we love seeing our teams connecting, celebrating, and making a difference in the communities we serve.

Click the button below to watch these moments come to life!

Back to School Across

Gulf Coast! 🎒📚✏️

Join Gulf Coast Social Services as we highlight some of the exciting back-to-school drives, celebrations, and community events happening across our regions!

Our teams have been out in the community connecting with local students and families, sharing resources, handing out school supplies and treats, and helping children start the new school year feeling prepared, supported, and excited for what’s ahead.

We’re proud to work alongside our community partners to help make the beginning of the school year a little brighter for families throughout the communities we serve.

Click the button below to watch the fun and see the difference we’re making together for our students! 🎥✨

Job Opportunities: Explore our Careers section for the latest job openings and find your next opportunity to join our team!

Upcoming Events

Shreveport:

• September 1 - Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

New Orleans:

• October 17 - Inclusive Halloween Party

Houma:

• October 17 - Houma Mac and Cheese Fest, Click to Get Your Tickets Now!