Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans wraps successful World Homeless Day Event

Written By Alicia Vial

More than 300 individuals received meals, resources and essential care

NEW ORLEANS – In honor of World Homeless Day this past Friday, Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans (TASGNO) welcomed more than 300 unhoused individuals to Rosenwald Gymnasium and provided them with essential resources and services at no cost.

The event brought together community partners and business to provide health screenings and wellness checks, dignity services like haircuts and manicures and distribute essential products like toiletries and clothes. Healthcare for the Homeless was also onsite to connect individuals with services and care options. Participants included Ochsner, Zach Packs Cares, Healthcare for the Homeless, Tulane University’s School of Social Work and many others.  

“World Homeless Day reminds us that homelessness is not just a housing issue—it’s a human issue,” said Donna Paramore, Executive Director of TASGNO. “Seeing so many people come together to provide care and compassion shows the impact that our community can have when we all unite for an important cause.”

Local leaders, including State Senator Royce Duplessis, Councilmember Lesli Harris and Councilmember Oliver Thomas attended to show their support and engage with the community. The event reflects TASGNO’s mission to end homelessness and help individuals regain self-sufficiency through housing, case management and wraparound services. In 2024 alone, TASGNO served more than 6,000 individuals, distributed thousands of meals and maintained a 98% housing retention rate for those placed in permanent housing.

For more information about TASGNO and how to support their mission, please visit www.travelersaidsociety.org.

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About Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans:
Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans is a 501 (c)(3) organization that works to end homelessness. Its vision is for New Orleans to be a place where everyone has a safe place to call home. Travelers Aid Society acknowledges the harmful systems that contribute to homelessness and housing insecurity. The organization aims to recognize and work against racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and other forms of discrimination that impact housing access. Travelers Aid Society strives to keep learning, listening, adapting and advocating in order to achieve just outcomes for those that need it most.

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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