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Tellurian’s LEAD Program Cultivates Next Generation of Community Leaders
by Kristy Como Armand
Five years ago, the LEAD program launched by Tellurian Inc. began creating a positive impact across Southwest Louisiana by helping high school students gain valuable leadership skills while identifying and addressing a critical need in their community.
According to Heather Hohensee, director of government and public affairs for Tellurian, the LNG company invests in leadership development in Southwest Louisiana through several programs and partnerships. “Our goal with LEAD, which is an acronym for Leadership, Enrichment and Development, is to identify and cultivate the next generation of leaders in our neighboring communities. We’ve been so impressed with the community projects implemented by these high school students over the past five years and look forward to many more years of LEAD graduates continuing on their leadership paths.”
High School LEAD Council members at partnering schools, Sulphur and Washington Marion, are selected through a competitive application process and given $20,000 with one guiding directive: “Do good in your community.” LEAD participants solicit input from elected officials, non-profit organizations, and business leaders to identify pressing community needs. They are then challenged to design and execute projects to address them. Past projects include free little pantries, a traffic safety initiative around schools, scholarships to Tech Camp for younger children, J.D. Clifton Park Refurbishment, CARE Help COVID response fund and Epps Memorial Library post-hurricane rebuild.
The 2022-2023 LEAD Councils were equally successful at completing their projects.
Sulphur High LEAD Council: St. Nicholas Center for Children’s STEPS Program
The SHS LEAD Council knew from the start they wanted to use their project funding this year to help children on the autism spectrum. They selected to partner with the St. Nicholas Center after learning about the successful programs offered by the Center and hearing a testimonial from one of their own council members of how the St. Nicholas Center helped her own brother. Students volunteered at the Center throughout the year to gain a better understanding of the needs of the program.
“Our members were unanimous in our decision to help St. Nicholas Center,” says Lily Boyd, SHS LEAD Council member. “Working together to help other kids get the education they need was very rewarding. I learned so much about communications skills, time management and working with other people toward a shared goal. I gained an awareness of the community outside of my school that I never had before. I know what I learned through this experience has helped me prepare for any challenges I face.”
Their funding is helping to launch the Center’s new STEPS Program (Simulated Teaching Environment Preparing Stars), an early intervention therapeutic educational program designed to help children from the ages of 2–6 years of age who do not qualify for an autism diagnosis but still need behavioral therapy. By beginning therapy at a young age with intense focus on clinical classroom-style learning and communication, these children will have a better chance of reducing their problematic behaviors and be able to successfully return to preschool or school. The LEAD funding will be allocated to scholarships for children from families with financial needs to attend the program and to purchase specialized educational equipment for the STEPS program.
“We are humbled and honored to have been selected by Tellurian’s Sulphur High LEAD Council as the recipient of their funding,” says Christy Papania-Jones, Executive Director of St. Nicholas Center for Children, “We look forward to the progress this funding will help us make with the children in the new STEPS program.”
Washington Marion LEAD Council: Abraham’s Tent
The WMHS LEAD Council chose Abraham’s Tent for their project this year to help increase the non-profit’s capacity to address food security needs among the homeless in their local community.
After meeting with Pearl Cole, Executive Director of Abraham’s Tent, members said the choice was clear for them. “This project really hit home for us because we see the struggles of the homeless on our streets every day,” says Ravyn Young, WMHS LEAD Council member, “We feel it is important to take this opportunity Tellurian has provided us to be leaders in our community and help those most in need.”
Abraham’s Tent serves over 80 meals a day to the homeless and elderly and was in desperate need of more storage and freezer space for the food the center provides daily. The LEAD Council’s funding is being used to purchase a new commercial freezer, refrigerator, and kitchen equipment to help kitchen staff cook and serve larger numbers of clients each day. The students also volunteered at Abraham’s Tent throughout the year. They provided help with meal preparation and service of daily meals and purchased, assembled, and distributed “blessing bags” of personal hygiene items and new socks.
“I was genuinely touched and so thankful when the students told me of their desire to partner with Abraham’s Tent,” says Ms. Cole, “To know that these young people see and want to help those truly in need is impressive. It has been a pleasure to work with them and show them community service can be truly rewarding.”
Young says the entire experience in LEAD was incredible. “Amazing, challenging and overwhelming at times. I learned so much about the needs of the homeless and the best ways to help them. I also learned how to be prepared and to work as a team to get things done; how to juggle responsibilities and share the load when needed. Public speaking was always difficult for me, but through this experience, I learned I can rise to that challenge. I wish every student could have this type of experience.”
