About Us
Meet the Board
RaShad Bristo, President; Wyolanda Hall; Vice-President; Julie LaPrease, Vice-President for Finance; Teriyonda Murray, Secretary. Bruce Adcock; Andi Barfuss; Sharon Geddes; Jackie Harris; Dianne Johnson; Velma Johnson; Brett Marx; Jo Anne Woodard. Clint Snell is the Registered Agent. Gale Dean, LCSW, LPC is the Executive Director.
The Board of Directors is the governing body of New Horizons. At least 51% of Board members are people with disabilities. Qualifications for members of the Board are that they subscribe to the philosophy of Independent Living, possess an interest in addressing the needs of people with disabilities, and must have sufficient time to devote to the work of the Board, to serve on committees, and attend monthly Board meetings. To express your interest in becoming a Board member, please contact the Executive Director.
OUR MISSION: New Horizons Independent Living Center (NHILC) is a private, non-profit, non-residential, consumer-controlled, community-based organization that exists to provide the supports and services for people with disabilities to live in their own homes and communities. Simply stated, our mission moving forward is toward “enabling people with disabilities to live independently…”
OUR VISION: New Horizons strives to be the pre-eminent provider of services to people with disabilities in North Louisiana through a single point of access for people with disabilities.
Values and Guiding Principles
WE BELIEVE that independence can come, even to people with the most severe disabilities. Independence starts as an attitude — a desire to take responsibility for one’s own life. Independence comes through the development of knowledge and skills that enable one to control his own activity.
WE BELIEVE that it is the responsibility of those who have achieved a measure of independence to advocate for the removal of all barriers to people with all types of disabilities.
WE BELIEVE in the inclusion of all persons with all types of disabilities, regardless of origin, age of onset, or degree of disability.
WE BELIEVE that the concept of consumer control is central to Independent Living. No one knows better than the person with a disability what is best for self. The governance of Independent Living must remain in the control of people who HAVE disabilities.