Boys Town Louisiana receives grant from the NBA Foundation

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS — Boys Town Louisiana is pleased to announce it has received a generous grant from the NBA Foundation as part of the Foundation’s latest round of funding for nonprofit partners advancing school-to-career opportunities for under-resourced youth.

This year, the NBA Foundation is supporting workforce readiness, and this grant will directly support Boys Town Louisiana’s Successful Futures program, helping youth build essential skills for life after high school, career exploration and long-term independence.

“We are incredibly thankful and appreciative of the NBA Foundation’s generous support and continued investment in young people and families in our community,” said Rashain Carriere, Executive Director of Boys Town Louisiana. “This grant will allow Boys Town Louisiana to strengthen our Successful Futures program and collaborate alongside other local nonprofit organizations working toward the same goal of expanding opportunity and helping young people build the skills, support and confidence they need to succeed.”

Boys Town Louisiana also values its ongoing partnership with the New Orleans Pelicans and the team’s commitment to community impact across the region.

The NBA Foundation invests in local and national organizations by providing grants to fund defined projects that equip young people with the tools, training, and opportunities they need to thrive professionally.

“Through this grant round, we’re proud to support Boys Town Louisiana and their work to prepare young people for life after high school,” said NBA Foundation Executive Director Ruth Jurgensen. “Their Successful Futures program is helping youth build critical skills, confidence and career pathways, which directly aligns with our mission to create meaningful school-to-career opportunities for under-resourced young people.”

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About the NBA Foundation
The NBA Foundation invests in programs, partnerships and grants that promote school-to-career employment opportunities for under-resourced youth, supporting job readiness, skill training, job placement and career advancement.

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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