Boys Town Louisiana celebrates new basketball court with community ribbon cutting in Gretna

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS – Boys Town Louisiana welcomed community leaders, partners and supporters Tuesday, March 31 to celebrate the ribbon cutting of a new basketball court at its Intervention & Assessment Center on Behrman Highway.

The event brough together Boys Town Louisiana board members, community partners, families and neighbors, along with Councilmembers Jennifer Van Vrancken and Tim Koerner, to mark the completion of a space designed to support youth development, wellness and connection.

“This basketball court is more than a place to play. It is a safe space for connection, mentorship and belonging,” said Rashain Carriere-Williams, executive director of Boys Town Louisiana. “For many young people, a court like this becomes a second home, a place where they can build confidence, learn teamwork and feel seen. At Boys Town Louisiana, we believe strong communities create strong kids, and this project is a reflection of that belief.”

The new court will serve hundreds of young people each year, including youth in Boys Town Louisiana programs. The project reflects a collaborative effort among local leaders, community stakeholders and youth-serving organizations working toward a shared goal of providing safe and supportive spaces for young people.

“We are grateful for the collaboration that made this possible and for the continued commitment to investing in spaces that keep our youth active, engaged and supported,” said Carriere-Williams. “Our youth deserve places where they can be safe, healthy and inspired.”

During the event, Councilmember Koerner announced a $10,000 commitment to further enhance the space, including new equipment like college-level basketballs and additional resources for youth utilizing the court.

Boys Town Louisiana has served children and families across the region for more than 30 years, providing a continuum of care that supports stability, safety and long-term success. For more information on Boys Town Louisiana and their programs visit here.

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About Boys Town

For over a century, Boys Town has been a beacon of hope, transforming the lives of America's children and families through innovative youth, research, and healthcare programs.  Boys Town provides compassionate, research-proven education, prevention, training, and treatment for behavioral and physical problems in multiple locations throughout the United States, with a comprehensive array of resources and services.  In 2024, more than 3.5 million children and families across the United States were impacted by Boys Town programs. You can find more information about Boys Town online at www.boystown.org.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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