About
Vessel Support Services is a nonprofit organization committed to providing
support to underserved communities. We achieve this through community outreach programs and partnerships with local organizations.
Vessel Support Services focuses on single structured family homes, with an emphasis on single fathers, and the lives of their children who can benefit from our service.
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The stronger the resources, the stronger the community.
About the Founder
Jason Elloie Founder
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Vessel was started due to the personal experience of Mr. Elloie’s struggle while acquiring custody of his two young boys. Mr. Elloie was physically separated from his sons for over a year during a divorce proceeding that eventually allowed him private visitations with his sons. Mr. Elloie encountered discouraging advice from attorneys, court officials and personal acquaintances based on the false narrative that “women always get custody” and was encouraged the best he would be allowed was extended visitation. However, he did not let the negative perceptions of others discourage him for fighting for the best interest of his sons. Mr. Elloie eventually won primary custody of his boys and is currently their Custodial Parent. Upon being granted custody, Mr. Elloie then faced the world’s bias perception of parenting. He encountered problems enrolling his sons in school, requesting medical information, and enrolling in extracurricular activities, to name a few. The adversity Mr. Elloie faced and continues to encounter brought about the desire to assist single parents, especially single fathers, fighting for custody of their children and the aftermath of living as a single parent once custody is attained. With his education of the legal system, of services and resources created to assist single parents, Mr. Elloie birth the vision of what is known as Vessel Support Services, a support system for single parents.
Board of Members
Dr. Brian Turner (Board President)
Brian L. Turner, Ph.D., is a native of New Orleans, LA and completed his undergraduate studies at The Southern University at Baton Rouge. He completed his doctoral studies in Clinical Psychology at Jackson State University. Dr. Turner currently serves as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in private practice, Moments of Truth, L.L.C., as a tenured, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Xavier University of Louisiana, and he serves as the Director of the African American Diaspora Studies Program at Xavier University of Louisiana. Across his obligations, Dr. Turner has worked with college students, post incarceration sex offenders, but most ardently he has worked with black males from adolescence to adulthood on a wide spectrum of issues. Dr. Turner’s work as a professor and clinician is grounded in his multicultural training which examines the impact of culture on mental health.
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Mona L. Barnes
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Mona Barnes is a respected community leader on the Island of St. Croix, USVI. She is currently the Director of VITEMA (Virgin Islands Territory Emergency Management Agency) under the current Governor Mapp administration. A multi-talented person, Ms. Barnes channeled her energies into entrepreneurship and started an environmental company, FSH Enterprises Inc. in 1997. As a successful businesswoman, she mentors young entrepreneurs, and is a managing partner in Triune Development, LLC, a real estate development company launched in 2010 with four young people. Triune Development is Ms. Barnes’ initial investment in preparing and protecting the intellectual property of young individuals in our community. Ms. Barnes is also the CEO of the “New Life Senior Resort”- a fourteen (14)-unit residence for the elderly sponsored by the City of Refuge Worship Center. This multi-million dollar venture allows eligible seniors to live independently in a safe and secure community.
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Sheila M. Robinson
Sheila M. Robinson is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana and proud alumna of Dillard University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management in 2002. With over 17 years of Human Resources and Customer Service experience, Sheila is the Director of Human Resources at the Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center New Orleans Hotel.
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Sheila helps to successfully reduce turnover by implementing key strategies to engage all levels of employees and positively shift the culture of the work environment. She is proficient in aspects of employment law, benefit solutions, employee relations, community outreach, succession planning, risk management and budgeting. Additionally, Sheila has entered into the consulting space where she extends her expertise to small businesses in the Gulf South region. Sheila has previously served as the Outreach Chair for the Urban League of New Orleans Young
Professionals and the Events Chair for the Louisiana Diversity Council.
“I serve not because I can, because it is my duty and calling to inspire the best in people. I serve because it is my calling and daily I answer the call.” -Sheila M. Robinson
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Michael Davalie
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Michael Davalie is an expert in Information Technology with an emphasis on computer security. With Michael’s 25 years of military experience he has been able to turn what some may deem impossible, possible with his intellect on computer security.
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Our Vision
Vessel Support services aids in providing information and resources to single structured family households. Our goal is to aid in creating positive co-parentinig relationships and equipping single parents with the resources and knowledge necessary to nurture our future leaders.
Our Vision
Vessel Support services aids in providing information and resources to single structured family households. Our goal is to aid in creating positive co-parentinig relationships and equipping single parents with the resources and knowledge necessary to nurture our future leaders.
