NON-PROFIT IMPACT

Non-profit organizations often operate behind the scenes, but the reality is, without these hard-working groups of dedicated staff and volunteers, there likely would be no show! Whether churches, charities, environmental protectors, arts and culture promoters, or foundations that support essential institutions such as education and healthcare, non-profits enhance our communities and make them better places to live and work. Our November issue includes this special section on the vital roles of SWLA non-profits.

Junior League of Lake Charles: Focusing On Child Development

Founded in 1933, the Junior League of Lake Charles (JLLC) has been a cornerstone of volunteerism, leadership, and community development. For over 90 years, JLLC has embodied its mission of promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action of trained volunteers. The League’s legacy projects, including The Children’s Museum, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), and The Literacy Council, to name a few, have left lasting marks on the fabric of Lake Charles. Today, JLLC continues to evolve, focusing on issues such as childhood hunger and the wellbeing of underprivileged youth.

JLLC addresses the immediate needs of the community through impactful programs designed to support vulnerable populations. Here are a few of the projects actively making a difference:

That’s My Bag Food Bags: In a community where one in four children face food insecurity, JLLC provides a lifeline. Through donations and the work of volunteers, the League supplies food bags to local elementary schools, ensuring that children who rely on school meals won’t go hungry during holiday breaks.

FitKids: Tackling childhood obesity head-on, the FitKids program teaches children about the importance of nutrition and exercise. Students learn to read labels, prepare healthy snacks, and engage in fitness activities, empowering them to lead healthier lives.

Kids in Cool Shoes (KICS): KICS provides high-quality footwear to underprivileged children. Partnering with area schools, the program identifies students in need and provides new, properly fitting shoes for sports and everyday wear—offering not only a basic necessity but also an essential boost in self-esteem.
Read to Your Doll Literacy Program: Through this innovative partnership with the Calcasieu Parish Public Library, children can check out American Girl dolls to practice reading. This program fosters literacy and language development in a fun, engaging way, helping young readers build confidence.

Mistletoe & Moss and Touch-A-Truck are two signature fundraisers that bring the community together while supporting JLLC’s mission. These events generate essential funding, helping to sustain and expand programs.

From its rich history of creating lasting change to its ongoing projects improving the lives of children and families, JLLC remains a steadfast force for good. With a legacy of leadership and a passion for volunteerism, the Junior League of Lake Charles is well-positioned to continue its impact for generations to come.

Families Helping Families: A Resource For Those With Disabilities

Families Helping Families of Southwest Louisiana (FHF SWLA) is the region’s resource center for individuals with disabilities and their families. Since 1992, the nonprofit has served the five-parish area of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jeff Davis, offering a wide range of services.

FHF SWLA is run by families, for families. Program staff and the board of directors are made up entirely of family members who have direct, personal experience with disabilities, either as parents or individuals with disabilities themselves. This makes FHF unique, as they bring empathy, understanding, and real-life experience to the table. You’re not just speaking with professionals. You’re talking to people who have walked in your shoes and know the journey firsthand.

FHF helps families become strong advocates for their loved ones. Whether you’re facing a new diagnosis, navigating special education services, or working through special healthcare needs, FHF does their best to help you find the resources and support that best fit your situation. Staff, who are parents of children with disabilities or individuals with disabilities themselves, have extensive training and firsthand knowledge of the various systems families need to navigate. You’ll learn how to advocate, understand your rights, speak up for your needs, and work with schools, healthcare providers, and other agencies. Over time, individuals with disabilities discover how to become their own advocates, giving them the tools to speak up for themselves as they grow. FHF’s mission is to ensure that individuals with disabilities and their families get the support, services, and opportunities everyone deserves.

The center is funded by a combination of state contracts, local and state grants, community funding, and generous donations from people who believe in FHF’s mission. Thanks to this support, FHF is able to provide a range of peer-to-peer services at no cost to families.

FHF is currently collecting funds, toys and gifts for their 3rd Annual Jolly Santa Drive Thru to be held on Saturday, December 7th in their center parking lot, 324 W. Hale St. Santa and his helpers will be there to hand out toys and small gifts to kids (and their under 18 siblings) and adults with disabilities. This event is funded solely by donations from the community.

For more information, visit info@fhfswla.org or call 337-426-2570.

Girlie Girls Mentoring Program: Empowering Girls Since June 1, 2013

Founded on June 1, 2013, by Anita Barker, the Girlie Girls Mentoring Program empowers young girls in Lake Charles, La., to grow into confident, self-assured leaders. As the founder, mentor, and CEO, Barker has dedicated over a decade to mentoring girls ages eight to 18, providing them with the tools and resources to succeed. Girlie Girls is proud to be the first all-girls youth mentoring facility in the area, offering a variety of programs aimed at personal development, leadership, and academic success.

Currently, the Girlie Girls Mentoring Program serves 57 members and has a long waiting list, a testament to the impact it is making in the community. The program offers a wide range of services, including tutoring, weekly seminars, financial literacy workshops, and college preparation, all completely free of charge. Additionally, Girlie Girls runs a hygiene room, where girls and women in need can access free hygiene supplies, ensuring that their basic needs are met as they pursue their personal and educational goals.

Programs focus on key areas such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), social emotional learning (SEL), and leadership development. Additionally, Girl Talk sessions offer a safe space for girls to express themselves, discuss life challenges, and build supportive friendships.

Girlie Girls is supported by the generosity of individual donors, community partnerships, and fundraising events. The nonprofit is also funded through partnerships with United Way and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, as well as grants like the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Services. Girlie Girls’ next major fundraiser, the 2024 Brunch, Baskets & BINGO event, will be held on November 23, at the Lake Charles Event Center Exhibition Hall. The event will feature brunch, basket giveaways, bingo, and a Split the Pot raffle, with all proceeds benefiting the Girlie Girls Mentoring Program.

To purchase tickets, contact Anita Barker at 337-302-3725. For more information or to get involved, visit www.girliegirls.org.

Local Heart Foundation: Easing the Burden for Families Facing Heart Disease

Founded in 2017 by Tim and Tammy Andreas, the Local Heart Foundation helps heart patients in Southwest Louisiana cover the high costs of out-of-state medical care. Tim’s personal journey with heart disease began at age 36, when he suffered cardiac arrest while on a business trip. After another heart episode and a lifesaving surgery in Houston, Tim and Tammy realized the significant financial burden such treatment can place on families. This inspired them to create the foundation to assist others facing similar challenges.

The foundation helps families by covering travel, lodging, meals, and other out-of-pocket expenses, with a special focus on pediatric patients who must travel to access specialized cardiovascular care unavailable locally. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed over $525,000, helping more than 345 families as of January 2024. Applications are submitted through cardiologists to ensure aid reaches those most in need.

With the motto “Our hearts helping our community’s hearts,” the foundation is committed not only to financial assistance but also to providing emotional support to families. Major fundraising events like the Golf Tournament, Champagne Bingo, and Designer Bag Bingo are vital to sustaining this mission, and sponsorship opportunities are available for those wishing to contribute.

To learn more or to get involved, visit www.localheartfoundation.org and follow the foundation on Facebook and Instagram.

Project Build A Future

The dream of home ownership has been realized by local people for nearly a quarter-century because of Project Build a Future, a nonprofit agency that builds and rehabilitates homes primarily within the city-limit target area of north Lake Charles.

Project Build a Future (PBAF) has built or developed 115 houses in its 23-year history.

Some of those houses were in partnership with Habitat for Humanity-Calcasieu and the state-funded Affordable Housing Pilot Program (AHPP) created after Hurricane Rita. The agency has also rehabilitated existing houses, such as the former family home of local education pioneer Ralph Reynaud — modernizing and strengthening the house while retaining original architectural elements. The agency’s newest effort is the development of an entirely new neighborhood — Kingman Crossing, a development of quality, resilient homes in multiple sizes and floor plans on property to be developed off Fitzenreiter Road.

Charla Blake, PBAF executive director says applications can be found at projectbuildafuture.org or by stopping in the office for a hard copy. “We review the applications to see if and how we can help the client — by first setting up an appointment with our homebuyer counselor for an evaluation and preliminary action plan.”

Each client comes to the table with different needs, credit issues and life experiences, so there is no exact amount of time a client may need to be in the program. There is, however, a minimum requirement of six months in our financial literacy program, to ensure each client has received strategic counseling for success. PBAF works with each client to ensure they are receiving any local and non-local monies that may benefit them – first-responder grants, veteran assistance programs and first-time-homebuyer opportunities that are available through existing partnerships or by forging new ones.

A person who wants to qualify for the homebuyer program must:
• Have a steady annual income of $25,000 (or $50,000) for a Kingman Crossing home).
• Be interested in living in the target area north of Broad Street.
• Put in “sweat equity” during construction.
• Earn a HUD-certified Homebuyer Education Course certificate.
• Have a background check and credit report pulled.

Want to help? Blake says people, businesses and foundations can donate dollars, materials and expertise. Send financial donations via projectbuildafuture.org or traditional giving methods. Products or materials used in the construction process help keep costs affordable. And grants from individual sources and foundations help with land acquisition for homebuilding, construction gap funding to ensure housing sales affordability, and increasing resiliency, sustainability and energy efficiency.

For more information, call 337-439-7191 or visit the PBAF office at 2306 Third St. Lake Charles.

The Family Foundation: ‘Tis the Season for Giving Back

Are you ready to make a difference?
by Haley Armand Tarasiewicz

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is in full swing. The coming weeks will be filled with list making and meal prepping, last minute shopping and endless holiday parties. Before you’re knee-deep in holiday recipes and commitments, we want to remind you that the end of the year is also a time for reflection, family, and gratitude.

Practicing gratitude can make you happier, but supporting important causes and helping those in need can help you find even more meaning during the holidays. The Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana was established in 2000 to promote philanthropic activities and work to connect donors, philanthropic organizations, foundations and corporations to community priorities that will enhance the quality of family and community life for generations to come. Every individual, family, business and organization has a passion that relates to a mission, a responsibility to act and the power to create a better tomorrow. A question to ask yourself is: “What are the issues or communities that are important to me, and where do I want to make a difference?”

The Family Foundation believes that investing in families secures the future of our communities. With the gift of an endowment to the Family Foundation you enable Family & Youth to support victims of crime and domestic violence, protect sexually and severely abused and neglected children, improve the area’s quality of life, encourage positive youth development with leadership training and more.

Endowments may be made anonymously and may be unrestricted or restricted to benefit a division of Family & Youth, a family service organization established in 1970 to provide affordable and professional support through programs and services dedicated to advocacy, counseling and education for the people of Southwest Louisiana and in communities they are called to serve.

These high-quality and much needed services to build a stronger community are made possible through volunteers, grants, fundraising events and donations. All of us working together will ensure a positive and productive future for Southwest Louisiana.
This holiday season, consider making a difference by embracing the spirit of giving. This is your community. Help build it. Help strengthen it. Start your legacy of caring today with an endowment to the Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana.

For more information on how to make an impact or to get involved, call 337-436-9533 or visit www.fyca.org.

Family & Youth Divisions:

• Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC)

• Court Appointed Special Advocates for

• Children (CASA)

• Children & Families Action Network (CFAN)

• Human Service Response Institute (HSRI)

• Nonprofit Impact

• Shannon Cox Counseling Center

• Performance EAP

• The Leadership Center for Youth

United Way Southwest Louisiana: A Beacon of Hope and Resilience

United Way Southwest Louisiana has long stood as a pillar of support and recovery in a region often battered by natural disasters. Serving a diverse five-parish area, many residents live below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Threshold, facing significant challenges to meet basic needs. This nonprofit organization has produced groundbreaking initiatives and cultivated partnerships that respond swiftly and efficiently to human services issues in Southwest Louisiana.

The journey of United Way Southwest Louisiana took a strategic turn in 2024, embarking on a rebranding effort that encapsulates its profound impact on the community, particularly following the 2020 natural disasters. This effort was more than a facelift; it was a testament to the organization’s evolving role and commitment to addressing critical issues such as youth opportunity, financial security, healthy community and community resiliency.

The refreshed branding reflects United Way Southwest Louisiana’s dedication to filling essential service gaps and fostering an inclusive environment where individuals and families are empowered to thrive. This shift highlights the organization’s adaptability and resilience, qualities tested during a period marked by a pandemic, hurricanes, a winter freeze and summer flooding. These challenges underscored the need for the organization to operate like first responders, providing immediate relief and support to affected communities.
Amidst adversity, United Way Southwest Louisiana has demonstrated its capacity to respond to crises and reinforced its commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive community ready for future challenges. This transformative journey since 2020 has reshaped the organization’s priorities, aligning them with the community’s increasingly complex needs.

One exciting way United Way Southwest Louisiana engages the community and raises funds for its initiatives is through the Battle For the Paddle Jambalaya and Pastalaya Cook-Off. This fundraiser promises to be a delightful culinary showdown, rallying the community for a cause that touches many lives.

United Way Southwest Louisiana’s strategic rebranding and dedication to community service is a beacon of hope and resilience. The organization is building a foundation for a resilient, inclusive community where everyone can thrive. Through these efforts, United Way Southwest Louisiana ensures its legacy of impact and innovation continues to grow, making a lasting difference in the lives of those it serves.