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.

 

The country these days seems increasingly divided into two groups: those who&nbsp; 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 <a href="https://www.cauw.org/">Capital Area United Way</a>, 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.&nbsp;
Vicki Ellis is Founder and Executive Director of <a href="https://www.hrbr.org/">Heritage Ranch</a>, a Christian Children&rsquo;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 <a href="https://www.mansursontheboulevard.com/main/home">Mansurs on the Boulevard </a>in Baton Rouge. You can find photos from this show by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cmtricou">Chris Tricou </a>at<a href="https://itsbatonrouge.la/2021/07/14/safety-net/"> our website</a>. Talking of which, completely unrelated, but we just came across <a href="https://itsbatonrouge.la/2017/03/16/i-saw-it-on-qvc-out-to-lunch-its-baton-rouge/">this show from 2017</a> 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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OUT TO LUNCH finds Baton Rouge Business Report Editor Stephanie Riegel combining her hard news journalist skills and food background: conducting business over lunch. Baton Rouge has long had a storied history of politics being conducted over meals, now the Capital Region has an equivalent culinary home for business: Mansur's. Each week Stephanie holds court over lunch at Mansur's and invites members of the Baton Rouge business community to join her. You can also hear the show on WRKF 89.3FM.

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