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2022

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Anti-Human Trafficking: Increasing Awareness in the Hospitality Industry to combat Human Trafficking

 

Increasing Awareness
in the Hospitality Industry
to combat
Human Trafficking

 



 

 

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Increasing Awareness in the Hospitality
Industry to combat Human Trafficking

by Dr. Dana Hunter

The summer season is often a time when many families and individuals enjoy a rich tradition of traveling and vacationing at their favorite destinations. As a result, many take advantage of staying at a hotel or motel. While these living quarters often offer moments of peace and tranquility, the sad reality is that a victim of human trafficking could very well be residing in the room next door.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Polaris have both confirmed the intersectionality between the hospitality industry and human trafficking (both sex and labor trafficking) and the use of hotels and motels as sites for traffickers to operate their criminal enterprise. Over the last decade, since the launch of the National Human Trafficking Hotline (December 2007 through December 31, 2017), the Hotline has recorded 3,596 cases of human trafficking involving a hotel or motel. 

Data from the Hotline survey also revealed that 75 % of trafficking survivors reported coming into contact with hotels while in “the life” of trafficking. This data confirms the need for education and awareness for consumers and staff in the hospitality industry. 

Act 298 of the 2016 Regular Legislative Session requires the National Human Trafficking Hotline information to be posted in hotels in the State of Louisiana. While this mandate provides victims and staff with important information on reporting any suspicious activity, it doesn’t ensure that staff members are trained to identify victims and recognize the signs of human trafficking. This gap is an area that the Office of First Lady Donna Edwards, the Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention, and other key stakeholders are now working to address.

Last month, the Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention conducted human trafficking awareness training for the Baton Rouge Lodging Association. The Baton Rouge Lodging Association hosts monthly luncheon programs, membership socials, and continuing education workshops to keep members updated on the most current industry issues and topics to improve performance. This training provided more than 30 critical participants in the hospitality industry with real-time data and information on how to identify victims and respond through a trauma-informed care approach. The training also included information on reporting suspected trafficking activity and resources and services for survivors. 

Additional strategies to increase awareness in the hospitality industry and other sectors will be prioritized over the next several months.  

To learn more about statewide anti-trafficking initiatives and resources available for victims of human trafficking in Louisiana, please visit https://humantrafficking.la.gov

 

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Louisiana Fosters – Consider Expanding Your Family by Adopting an Older Child or Teen

 

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Consider
Expanding Your Family
By Adopting An Older
Child or Teen

Consider Expanding Your Family
By Adopting an Older Child or Teen

by DCFS Adoption Team
 


When it comes to family, we all pretty much want the same thing — a sense of belonging. A family moves through life with you. They are the people who support you during difficult times and will celebrate with you when things are going great.

At any given time, more than 150 children in foster care across our state are eligible for adoption and want nothing more than to be a part of someone’s family. They want a permanent place to call home. They want to be adopted.

Louisiana has seen great successes with our adoption efforts over the past several years. Last year, we celebrated 470 families who adopted 612 children from foster care.

However, there is still a critical need for more families to welcome children into their homes. This is especially true for older children and teenagers. Last year, teens made up 11 percent of adoptions from foster care. 

Some older youth, like Xavier (15 years old) from the Alexandria Region and Christopher (13 years old) from the Covington Region, have been waiting years for a permanent home.

Xavier has been ready for his forever family since August of 2017; that’s more than 1,800 days. Like most teenagers, he loves video games, YouTube videos, playing basketball, and shopping for tennis shoes. In addition, he loves God and enjoys a good worship service.

Christopher has been ready for his forever family since December of 2014, more than 2,700 days. He loves playing outside, puzzles, attending church and Sunday school, and playing with kids his age. He is hoping to maintain family contact with his sister.

Foster children and teens like Xavier and Christopher need a forever commitment from a family. 

You may be thinking you don’t have the qualifications or finances for adoption but consider this:

  • Adopting from foster care is free;
  • Single, married, divorced, and widowed individuals 21 years old and older are eligible; and
  • You can adopt if you have enough income to meet your family’s basic needs.

Financial assistance may be available based on the child’s needs. Youth adopted after the age of 14 are eligible for continued services through Independent Living Providers until the age of 23. Those adopted at 16 are eligible for educational training vouchers for post-secondary education. 

If you are considering adoption or fostering a child, take that first step by attending a free, virtual orientation session. Check out the current orientation schedule. Before becoming a foster or adoptive parent, you will receive specialized virtual and in-person training, and DCFS completes a home study with a background check. For more information about becoming a foster/adoptive parent and the training available, visit dcfs.la.gov/foster.  

In our next blog post, we will feature more children like Xavier and Christopher, who have been waiting a long time to be adopted. In the meantime, we encourage you to visit the Louisiana Heart Gallery.

Help us find homes for more of Louisiana’s children. Share this news, visit dcfs.la.gov/adoption, and reach out to us. If you’ve ever considered adoption, thank you. We need you!

Visit the Louisiana Fosters Website

 

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Women’s Health – Put Yourself on the Schedule

 

Women’s Health

WOMEN'S HEALTH BLOG August 2022

Put Yourself on the Schedule

 

Written by
D’Wan J. Carpenter, DO, MS
 

Almost a year ago, I faced a significant health issue. Just days after Hurricane Ida hit our area, I developed high fevers. Naturally, I assumed I had come down with coronavirus 19; however, evaluation at the hospital proved I had a severe skin infection. If left untreated, a skin infection that could result in serious hospitalization or, worse, even death.

I started having symptoms a couple of weeks earlier and had not taken the signs too seriously. After all, I was a very busy physician, wife, and mom of four. Who had time to go to the doctor with my busy schedule?

So, I continued my routine despite severe pain, doing everything as usual while taking over-the-counter pain relievers to get through the day’s tasks. I should mention during this same time my husband was recovering from his own coronavirus illness, and I was juggling all four kids being home from school.

There is a saying, “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” and I will add that you can’t heal from an empty cup either.

As a physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, my goals for my patients include restoring their overall function, decreasing pain, and increasing quality of life. However, what I find most with the majority of women patients I care for is, just like me, their primary focus is on everyone else’s health, wellness, and overall function before their own.

Women are often the drivers of health care for our families, but we must also ensure that we include ourselves in the care.

Make sure to:

  • Schedule yearly physical examinations
  • Stay current with recommended screenings for mammograms, Pap smears, and colonoscopy, as indicated by medical history
  • Continue taking medications unless discontinued by a physician
  • Contact your physician immediately if you believe you are reacting to your medication
  • When new symptoms begin, contact your physician’s office for guidance if you’re unsure if treatment is indicated
  • Don’t dismiss your signs and symptoms – many medical conditions can present differently in women

Remember, your health is just as important as the family members you often care for. So, don’t neglect yourself or your health. You are worth it!

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About D’Wan J. Carpenter, DO, MS

Dr. D’Wan J. Carpenter, D.O. is a dually board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician, speaker, and disability expert.  Dr. D’Wan earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine (formerly University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine). In addition to her osteopathic medical degree, Dr. D’Wan also holds a Master of Science in Anatomy.

Dr. D’Wan is also a wife, mother of 4 including fraternal twin girls, founder of Twin Mom ChroniclesTM and the host of Twin Moms ThrivingTM podcast with Dr. Dee. She helps busy professional twin moms create the time they need and desire without guilt and overwhelm so they can be more productive and finally prioritize themselves. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, the arts, reading, and fashion.

 

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Blog – August 2022

AUGUST 2022

Spreading Sunshine

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Dear Friends,

It’s mid-August, and like many of you, I’m praying for no hurricanes and storms in the weeks ahead. So many people around our state are still hurting from the previous hurricanes. So many schools are still rebuilding from the damages from hurricanes. Please join me in praying for those in our state still in recovery mode and for us to be spared this hurricane season. You may want to find organizations working in these communities around our state that support the rebuilding efforts. Schools in these areas could use some financial support. So many teachers are STILL rebuilding their classrooms after the destruction from the last few hurricanes.

Please remember it’s better to be prepared than not. Click here to Get A Game Plan and make sure you’re prepared.

This month’s blog has some great articles. One article is from our Teach MAM Art Ambassador, Carolyn Scalfano. I love her enthusiasm and desire to make a difference in her students’ lives. It is evident in the energy she puts toward her classroom environment and her dedication and love for those around her. Read her entry and click on the links to learn more.

Our Louisiana Fosters need you. We have so many older children in the system that need someone to support them as they transition into adulthood. These children have been through so much in their lives, as you can imagine. So please consider ways you can support these children, our children, maybe by giving your time, talent, financial support, or even opening your home. Read the article on Louisiana Fosters and look at the Louisiana Heart Gallery. These beautiful children would love to know you.

Dr. Hunter is working hard in the Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking. Learn what efforts are being made in the hospitality and hotel industry to help combat this horrible crime. We are so grateful to those making a difference and stepping forward to learn more and do more. 

In the Mansion article, you will see our beautiful Camille. This lovely statue is by sculptor Jo Hess. Read the article and learn more about her work and other sculptures she made during her lifetime.

Our Women’s Health entry, by Dr. D’Wan, has powerful information that will help women see how important it is for them to take care of themselves. “There is a saying, ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup,’ and I will add that you can’t heal from an empty cup either.”

  • D’Wan J. Carpenter, D.O.

John Lary is our educator for this month. He is an 11th and 12th-grade teacher from Caddo Parish, C.E. Byrd High School. His article reaffirms my conviction of how critical our educators are to our children and our community’s success. When our children succeed, our families succeed. When our families succeed, our communities thrive, and our state is successful. Thank you to our educators that do the amazing work day in and day out.

Other things to read about this month are updates on the University Lake Project and a reminder about the upcoming Suicide Prevention Summit.

Our goal at the Lovin’ Louisiana Blog is to spread some good news, good works, and a bit of love and sunshine. Please know I personally am so thankful to your all for your support. 

If you are interested in giving toward our efforts of spreading sunshine, please click here to donate. DONATE to LFF

We would be so honored to have you join us on this journey of spreading sunshine. Lastly, don’t forget about our growing online boutique: Les Fideles -The Faithful. You’ll find some unique gifts made by our friends and family to give back. A portion of the proceeds goes back to our Louisiana First Foundation.

Hey, Y’all, leave it better than you found it!!

Love ya,

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FEATURE Congratulations to the Governor’s Fellows Class of 2022!

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On August 4th, eleven student leaders from across the state of Louisiana joined Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna H. Edwards for the commencement of the 2022 Governor’s Fellows program. While this ceremony marked the end of their time with their respective cabinet-level agency, it marked the beginning of the profound impact they will have in their own communities moving forward.

Over the course of the summer, these students got the chance to experience public policy in action, learn the rich history and current affairs of Louisiana government, and earn three hours of academic credit through LSU’s Department of Public Administration. Each Fellow was assigned to a cabinet-level agency in Baton Rouge and had the opportunity to gain valuable experience by collaborating with agency leaders on existing projects, observing firsthand the Governor’s leadership strategies, and learning how state policies are developed. 

Bailey Willis, a rising senior and current student body president at Northwestern University, was assigned to the Office of the First Lady and the Office of Human Trafficking Prevention. Through her fellowship, she attended various conferences and gained an in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of state government which culminated in the development and presentation of a policy proposal to Governor Edwards, his cabinet, and staff.

Bailey’s policy proposal focused on tangible actions universities can perform to create a more supportive campus for students’ mental health needs. Bailey hopes this proposal will be adopted state-wide; however, as student body president, she is committed to implementing these policies on her campus this year.

Congratulations to Bailey and her fellow Fellows – Louisiana’s future is bright!

LOUISIANA FIRST FOUNDATION

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TEACH MAM

No Summers Off
My summer as an artist, educator, and foster mom

May 24 was the last day at Pineville Elementary School. As a teacher, summer vacation officially began. Although I am a teacher, I have an issue with sitting still. Thus, my quest to do “all the things” began.

Learn more
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LOUISIANA FOSTERS

Consider Expanding Your Family
by Adopting an Older Child or Teen

When it comes to family, we all pretty much want the same thing — a sense of belonging. A family moves through life with you. They are the people who support you during difficult times and will celebrate with you when things are going great.

Learn more
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ANTI HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Increasing Awareness in the Hospitality Industry
to combat Human Trafficking

The summer season is often a time when many families and individuals enjoy a rich tradition of traveling and vacationing at their favorite destinations. As a result, many take advantage of staying at a hotel or motel. While these living quarters often offer moments of peace and tranquility, the sad reality is that a victim of human trafficking could very well be residing in the room next door.

Learn more

GOVERNOR'S MANSION Meet Camille

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Meet “Camille”, a 48” (3⁄4 life-size) bronze statue, who once sat in front of the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion. She is now the centerpiece of the Vegetable Garden. Camille is an original Jo Hess large figure bronze sculpture that Linda Cooper donated. This statue was placed on the Mansion grounds during the Foster Administration and is a beautiful piece for all to see when visiting the Mansion. 

You can read more about the sculptor, Jo Hess, here:  https://sculpturesbyjohess.com

VISIT THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION STORE

WOMEN'S HEALTH Put Yourself on the Schedule

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Written by D’Wan J. Carpenter, DO, MS

Almost a year ago, I faced a significant health issue. Just days after Hurricane Ida hit our area, I developed high fevers. Naturally, I assumed I had come down with coronavirus 19; however, evaluation at the hospital proved I had a severe skin infection. If left untreated, a skin infection that could result in serious hospitalization or, worse, even death.

I started having symptoms a couple of weeks earlier and had not taken the signs too seriously. After all, I was a very busy physician, wife, and mom of four. Who had time to go to the doctor with my busy schedule?

So, I continued my routine despite severe pain, doing everything as usual while taking over-the-counter pain relievers to get through the day’s tasks. I should mention during this same time my husband was recovering from his own coronavirus illness, and I was juggling all four kids being home from school.

There is a saying, “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” and I will add that you can’t heal from an empty cup either.

As a physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, my goals for my patients include restoring their overall function, decreasing pain, and increasing quality of life. However, what I find most with the majority of women patients I care for is, just like me, their primary focus is on everyone else’s health, wellness, and overall function before their own.

Women are often the drivers of health care for our families, but we must also ensure that we include ourselves in the care.

Make sure to:

  • Schedule yearly physical examinations
  • Stay current with recommended screenings for mammograms, Pap smears, and colonoscopy, as indicated by medical history
  • Continue taking medications unless discontinued by a physician
  • Contact your physician immediately if you believe you are reacting to your medication
  • When new symptoms begin, contact your physician’s office for guidance if you’re unsure if treatment is indicated
  • Don’t dismiss your signs and symptoms – many medical conditions can present differently in women

Remember, your health is just as important as the family members you often care for. So, don’t neglect yourself or your health. You are worth it!

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA 1. Community

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University Lakes Project Update

This summer, phase one of the University Lakes Project began in Baton Rouge. Phase one construction includes test dredging of five of the six lakes to identify which dredging process will be best moving forward. Additionally, phase one will include improvements to pedestrian and cyclist paths and other recreational amenities.

This project has four primary goals:

  1. Deepen the lakes to provide a more sustainable aquatic system
  2. Provide increased flood protection for upstream and downstream communities
  3. Enhance environmental performance to improve natural habitats
  4. Improve and diversify recreational uses while improving safety for walkers, runners, and bicyclists

Learn more by visiting www.universitylakesproject.org.

Photo is a conceptual image depicting the recreational focus for phase one, courtesy of the University Lakes Project website.

 

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA 2. Schools

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“Teaching for the American Dream”

by John Lary

As a new school year begins each fall, I reflect on my purpose as an educator. I teach history at C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport. I love my job and am passionate about what I do, but it is sometimes difficult to find the right words to clearly explain why I have chosen this profession and why I believe others should consider it too.

This summer, I had an opportunity to examine the role of educators in a way I hadn’t before. Along with nine incredible, nationally recognized educators, I was invited to serve in the inaugural class of Educator Fellows for the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream. MCAAD’s visitor center is slated to open in 2023 and is located on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., directly across from the Treasury and diagonal from the White House. There in the very heart of our nation’s capital, the Center focuses on four pillars that support the American Dream:

  • The importance of financial literacy and access to capital.
  • The value of the entrepreneurial spirit.
  • The role of good health and well-being.
  • The significant role that education and educators play in making the American Dream a reality.

Through my participation with the Center, it has become clear to me what we as educators really do: We help students access and realize their American Dream.

The American Dream is enormously complex and challenging to define. It means something different to everyone, but education opens the doors of possibility so that each individual has the power and the means to achieve their dreams.

Education and great educators are the catalysts that open those doors of possibility for our students. From the early American republic with the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 encouraging the spread of public education, schools have been the place where the American Dream can come alive for so many. Through centuries of reform, schools have transformed, and the Dream has become accessible to even more people. Today, it continues to be the task of educators to ensure that the American Dream stays alive. It is our job to provide all our students with the knowledge and skills they will need to create and seize the opportunities in their unique futures.

Every great educator has a story of a moment when they did some great or small act, in a single moment or over time, that helped a student see their dreams as real opportunities. In addition to all the academic knowledge that students gain from great teachers, we are front and center for many of life’s essential lessons. 

  • The elementary educator who helps a student persevere as they learn to read. 
  • The middle school teacher who guides a child to become aware of their strengths and abilities. 
  • The high school teacher who provides advice and mentoring for life beyond graduation. 
  • The music teacher who helps a student find joy in dancing and playing.
  • The coach who challenges their players to do what they did not think possible. 
  • The career and technical teacher who helps students get certified job training and internships. 
  • The caring educators who teach academic content that opens students’ eyes to the unique and complex world around us. 

All these moments add up to students being able to pursue a life of purpose and success.

As educators, we aim to improve our students’ lives, brighten their futures, and help them achieve their dreams. So, as another school year begins, I am excited and energized as I consider the significance of education and educators in preserving and expanding the American Dream.

Teacher, 11th and 12th Grade
 Caddo Parish
 C.E. Byrd High School
 AP European History, AP Research & AP Psychology
 2022 Educator Fellow at Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream
2015 Milken Educator Award recipient

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA 3. Military

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Fifth Annual Suicide Prevention Summit

Please make plans to join us for the Fifth Annual Suicide Prevention Summit on Friday, Sept. 9 at 9 a.m. The Summit will be held at American Legion Post 38 located at 151 S. Wooddale Blvd. in Baton Rouge.

Guest speakers include:

Letosha Kelly, Program Monitor
Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Behavioral Health
Topic: Louisiana Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service members, Veterans and Their Families

Damion Johnlouis, Transition Assistance Advisor
Federal Contractor
Topic: Support for Transitioning Service Members and Their Families

Patty Rives, LCSW, Executive Director
Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center
Topic: Suicide Prevention Support Services, Resources and Training
Topic: Applied Suicide Prevention Intervention Skills

Daphne Grady, Volunteer and Elizabeth Dole Caregiver Fellow
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Topic: National Alliance on Mental Illness Services
Topic: Elizabeth Dole Foundation (Veteran Caregivers Support)

Jeremy Brewer, LCSW, Clinical Navigator
Tulane Center for Brain Health
Topic: Tulane Center for Brain Health

Dr. Gala True, Investigator
South Central Mental Illness, Research, Education and Clinical Center, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System
Topic: Veteran-Informed Safety Intervention and Outreach Network

Valerie Saba, MS, CHES, Program Coordinator
NAMI St. Tammany
Topic: Mental Health First Aid

There will be a vendor parade as well as opportunities to network during breaks and after the last speaker. Lunch is sponsored by the Tulane University Center for Brain Health.

RSVP today to Larry Williams at larry.williams@la.gov or 225.276.8626.

For more information visit vetaffairs.la.gov, email veteran@la.gov, call 225.219.5000 or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Featured Recipe No-Bake Oatmeal Bars

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No-Bake Oatmeal Bars

With the start of the school year quickly approaching, here is an easy on-the-geaux snack perfect for a quick breakfast or a mid-day energy booster. Of course, these measurements are just a suggestion and it’s recommended that you adjust to meet your family’s preferences.

 Ingredients

  • 4 cups rolled oats
  • 2 cups smooth peanut butter (or you can substitute for your favorite nut butter)
  • ¼ cup maple syrup

 Directions

Start by microwaving your peanut butter and maple syrup together, until combined. Next, add in your oats and mix until a thick batter remains. Transfer into a lined 8 x 8-inch pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, to firm up.

 Recipe by Arman Liew. Original text can be found HERE.

 

MEMORABLE VERSE August 2022

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THE FIRST DOGS Dog Days of Summer

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The First Dogs are finishing the dog days of summer with a dip in the pool!

MEET OUR EDITOR Delery Rice

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A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Delery has lived there all of her life except during undergraduate school and a brief stint in Seattle, WA. She is a mother to four boys, ranging in ages from 21 to 16, and they are the heart and soul of her life.

Delery earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and Master’s Degree from Louisiana State University. She completed a fellowship at Loyola University, New Orleans Institute of Politics, and currently attends Harvard Kennedy School of Public Policy. Her volunteer work has mostly evolved from issues that have affected her personally. Actively engaged in disability rights advocacy, Delery has testified numerous times in the Louisiana Legislature regarding issues that affect persons with developmental disabilities. She served as the chair of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, worked for seven years directing regional advocacy efforts and is a graduate of Louisiana’s Partners In Policymaking.

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Blog – July 2022

JULY 2022

December Shopping In July

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It’s officially HOT, it’s officially the middle of summer, and it’s officially December Shopping in July here at the Lovin’ Louisiana Blog. You can shop early through the links posted in this blog!

Please click on the links below to enjoy some one-of-a-kind items and do some good at the same time. Your purchase will support the Governor’s Mansion Preservation Foundation and the Louisiana First Foundation. We thank you in advance for looking at our great items for sale. Also, please know we thank each of you for reading our monthly blog, sending us encouraging letters, and supporting our efforts over the last few years. Because of your generosity, we can continue doing great things for our state and beyond.

Please stay cool during these hot summer days and drink plenty of water, especially water containing electrolytes. Also, don’t forget to pay attention to Hurricane Season updates and keep plenty of water and items on hand during these weeks ahead. Go to Get-a-Game-Plan to find reminders of things you may need and update information. https://www.getagameplan.org/ 

You all are a true blessing to me and our work through the two foundations. We are grateful to each of you!

Love to you all,

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Les Fideles
  https://lesfideles.com/

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Governor’s Mansion Preservation Foundation
https://tinyurl.com/y5akny5n

A portion of all proceeds support our work through the
Louisiana First Foundation and the Governor’s Mansion Preservation Foundation.

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Things to do while inside.

Y’all stay cool and safe!

Lord,

Thank you for our friends and family.
Watch over them as they travel this summer.
Bless us as we spend time with family and friends
and that our time together will be filled with goodness.
Show us ways to give back to our community
and those around us during these summer days.
Help us to see the joy in each day and love in all ways big and small.

 Amen.

FEATURE Emergency Supply Kit

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It’s that time of the year again… hurricane season! During a natural disaster, there are many things that we can’t control; however, our preparation beforehand IS something we have control over. Diligent preparation can keep us, our loved ones, and our property safe, and a critical step in pre-hurricane prep is to put together an emergency kit. The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) has created a list of essential items to include in your emergency kit below.

Basic Emergency Supply Kit

  • Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days for drinking and sanitation)
  • Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
  • Flashlight
  • First aid kit
  • Extra batteries
  • Whistle (to signal for help)
  • Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
  • Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
  • Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
  • Manual can opener (for food)
  • Local maps
  • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
  • Download the Recommended Supplies List (PDF)

Additional Emergency Supplies

  • Cloth face coverings (for everyone ages two and above), soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces
  • Prescription medications
  • Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids, or laxatives
  • Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution
  • Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream
  • Pet food and extra water for your pet
  • Cash or traveler’s checks
  • Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
  • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
  • Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
  • Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels, and plastic utensils
  • Paper and pencil
  • Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children

Since natural disasters can occur when you least expect them, having an emergency kit ready to go in a few different locations is a good idea. Below is GOHSEP’s recommendations on locations:

Recommended Kit Storage Locations

  • Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready if you must leave your house quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.
  • Work: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water, and other necessities like medicines and comfortable walking shoes stored in a “grab and go” case.
  • Car: If you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your vehicle.

Whether this is your first hurricane season or you are a seasoned pro, it is imperative to take your preparations seriously for the well-being of yourself and those you love.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit https://getagameplan.org/.

LOUISIANA FIRST FOUNDATION

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TEACH MAM

Let’s Get Out and Move Louisianans…Physical Activity and Summer Fun for the Whole Family

Summer is here and it’s time to enjoy some much needed downtime.  Yes! It is hot outside and temperatures are high, but that does not mean you and your family can not stay active.  Physical activity is so important and vital to mental, emotional and physical health.  Physical activity is anything that gets your body moving and elevates your heart rate. (cdc.gov)

Learn more
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LOUISIANA FOSTERS

A Recap of
Royal Family Kids Camp

 Royal Family KIDS Camp 2022… replacing hurt with hope.  Across the state of Louisiana, this year, children in our local foster care system are getting the opportunity to experience firsts.  Perhaps it’s their first overnight camp, their first time swimming, or their first celebrated birthday for some, but for all of these amazing children, it’s a message of hope.  The hope that life is more than the chaos and tough experiences they’ve faced thus far in their young lives.

Learn more
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ANTI HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Louisiana Expanding Collaboration to
Improve Care for Trafficking Victims

While states across the nation grapple for resources to address the issue of human trafficking, Louisiana was fortunate to join the ranks of a few select states to receive federal and now state funding to implement a robust care coordination model to improve care for victims. Care coordination is a national best practice that uses a multi-disciplinary (MDT) approach to provide seamless and coordinated care for victims upon rescue and throughout recovery. Louisiana replicated components of this model from both Texas and Massachusetts.

Learn more

GOVERNOR'S MANSION December Shopping at the Governor's Mansion

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It’s December Shopping in July at the Governor’s Mansion Preservation Foundation! Buy any ornament and get 10% off your total purchase for the whole month of July. Your discount is automatically applied at checkout. The 2022 ornament is in stock now.  For information or questions about store items, contact PreserveLAGovernorsmansion@gmail.com. 
VISIT THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION STORE

WOMEN'S HEALTH Doctor's Orders: Self-Care

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Written by Kimiyo Harris Williams, M.D., FAAP

Driving home after a long 12-hour day, I reflect on the brilliant innocence of the beautiful newborn baby boy and the 11-year-old asthmatic little girl I admitted to the hospital due to a severe asthma exacerbation. Not to mention, the unfortunate 26-day-old baby girl with fever and irritability requiring hospital admission and all the patients seen in between.  It has been a full day, and as I arrive home, I am reminded about everything that makes life great: a wonderful career, family, and friends. I smile and thank God as I exit my car and walk into the house. Quickly scanning my mind about all the boxes I must check on my “To Do” list, I remember my motto, “Self-care is healthy living.”

As women, we wear many hats and hold several roles. However, we must continue to include self-care on our agenda.  Self-care can be elaborate like a full day at the spa, simple like a bubble bath, or a combination of both. Let this article be a sisterly reminder to my Lovely Louisiana Sisters to be intentional with self-care because it significantly impacts our mental health.  Here are some tips from the National Institute of Mental Health on how to get started with practicing self-care:

  • Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can help boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do 30 minutes at once.
  • Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day. Also, limit caffeinated beverages such as soft drinks or coffee.
  • Make sleep a priority. Stick to a schedule, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Blue light from devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep, so reduce blue light exposure from your phone or computer before bedtime.
  • Try a relaxing activity. Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy, such as journaling.
  • Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say “no” to new tasks if you start to feel like you’re taking on too much. Try to be mindful of what you have accomplished at the end of the day, not what you have been unable to do.
  • Practice gratitude. Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for. Be specific. Write them down at night or replay them in your mind.
  • Focus on positivity. Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
  • Stay connected. Reach out to your friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help.

Self-care is essential for both physical and mental well-being.  I recommend being intentional with caring for yourself.   Doctor’s Orders!!!

Resource:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA 1. Community

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The Answer: The Education of the Heart

Fifth graders know so much more than we do as adults, no matter how knowledgeable we believe we have become. A commencement address delivered for graduating fifth graders a few years ago proved this to be a true statement.  

These young graduates were Manners of the Heart kids who had been taught the principles of others-centeredness, esteeming others before self, and humble confidence since first grade.

The day’s speaker drew a diagram of a StrongHeart character on a whiteboard. The students were asked to name the heart attributes of a StrongHeart. They shouted, “Love, respect, obedience, compassion,” and on and on. The speaker wrote their answers in the character’s heart. The heart became filled with life-giving qualities.

The students were then asked to share scenarios in which their participation might damage their strong hearts as middle-schoolers. They rattled off real-life answers: “lying,” “fighting,” “sex,” and “cheating.”

“Let’s take a look at what takes place in your heart as you answer those invitations,” the speaker replied.

“If you say ‘yes,’ when you should say ‘no,’ you’ll break a piece of your heart,” she said as she erased a section of the heart outline. “Do it again, and you’ll break another piece of your heart,” she continued, erasing another piece of the heart and then another until she made it through their scenarios. By the end, the protective wall of the once StrongHeart had been completely worn down.

“Before you realize what’s happening to you, your heart will begin to fall apart. If your strong heart weakens, what will happen to the good stuff in it?” she quizzed.

Multiple voices shouted, “Bad stuff gets in.”

“That’s right!” she exclaimed with utter delight (for every Manners of the Heart kid learns—you take the bad stuff out and put the good things in, and if the good stuff falls out, the bad stuff gets in!).

As the speaker turned back to the StrongHeart character, she asked the students, “What happens to the love in StrongHeart’s heart?” The students came back with, “It turns to hate.” She replaced the word “Love” with “Hate.”

“What happens to the respect?” she asked. “It becomes disrespect,” they replied. She made the change. “Obedience” becomes “disobedience,” and on and on.

When the exercise was completed, StrongHeart had nothing good left in his heart. “Who has StrongHeart become?” she asked.

Without hesitation, a typically timid girl whispered under her breath, “Depressed.” A young man shouted from the back, “He’s a murderer.” His profound answer stunned everyone in the auditorium. The depth of his understanding was astonishing.  

Other children called out, “Mean. Scary. Sad.”

Then, the speaker asked the really tough question, “Who broke the heart of StrongHeart?”

There was a long silence until one young man bravely raised his hand and said, “He did.”

Yeah,” from down the row. “I did too.”

“Me, too,” nodded one of the girls.

“You’re right…you break your own heart when you make the wrong choices. I break my heart when I make wrong decisions,” she affirmed. “When we allow the bad stuff to take over, look what happens…we lose our StrongHearts.”

“And we have no one to blame but ourselves. But, there’s good news…YOU know who can fix it,” the speaker emphasized with a fist pump over her heart.

“He can!” said one. “I can!” said another. “We can fix our hearts,” the rest joined in agreement. As they talked of correcting mistakes and making the right choices, the StrongHeart became filled once again with the good stuff. With each right decision, the speaker traced the wall of his heart repeatedly until they had created an impenetrable barrier around the good contents.    

They got it.

As a result of their Heart Education, these Manners of the Heart students were fully capable of accepting responsibility and accountability for their choices as upcoming middle-schoolers. Through this activity, they exhibited an understanding that the attitudes behind their actions are formulated in their hearts. They demonstrated how their hearts’ content determines what they will say and do.
 
This was not mindfulness; it was heart-to-mind communication. 

Medical researchers confirm the heart informs the brain, not the other way around.

Research from Drs John and Beatrice Lacey that began in the 1960s is resurfacing today in neurocardiology, the study of the heart and brain. Dr. M. A. Armour asserted in his ground-breaking book, Neurocardiology,

These scientific advances illuminate the fact that while we may believe the brain is our decision-maker and ruler, the heart is more powerful than we ever imagined—functioning as a sensory organ, hormone-producing gland, and information-processing center.

The Heart Speaks by Dr. Mimi Guarneri, medical director of the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, states:

Each heartbeat sends complex signals to the brain and other organs. These heart signals can reach higher brain centers, ultimately affecting our reasons, choices, emotions, and perceptions. The heart has not only its own language but its own mind.

We have failed this generation because we neglected the education of their hearts in favor of filling their minds with facts, figures, and falsehoods. Instruction that has led to confusion, anxiety, depression, chaos, and the loss of life.

We must strengthen and preserve the next generation’s hearts to save them from the pain of the current generation. The answer is only found in the education of the heart.

Jill Rigby Garner is the founder of Manners of the Heart, a nonprofit organization based in Baton Rouge. Manners of the Heart’s elementary school curriculum has reached schools and parents from Baton Rouge to Kampala, Uganda.

For more information, visit: https://mannersoftheheart.org/

________________
 J.A. Armour and J. Ardell, eds., Neurocardiology (New York: Oxford University Press, 1994).
Guarneri, The Heart Speaks(New York: Atria, 2019), 156

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA 2. Schools

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“Improving Opportunities Through Internships”

by  Brian Gough

Brian Gough, an assistant principal in St. Charles Parish, was named a 2021 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year semifinalist and selected as Louisiana’s 2022 Public Interest Fellow. Launched by the Department of Education in 2018, the Fellowship allows one educator, chosen from the previous year’s list of Louisiana Teacher of the Year semifinalists, to spend a school year advocating for an education initiative of their choosing. 

Gough has dedicated most of his career to advancing career and technical education with an emphasis on advocating for experiential learning at the Satellite Center, a St. Charles Parish Public Schools career center. His pursuit of innovative solutions to prepare students for high-wage, high-demand careers drove Gough to dedicate his fellowship year to researching best practices for industry recruitment for internship programs. This focus area comes from his desire to help others find their path in life, something he struggled with early in his educational career. 

“I did not know what I wanted to do with my life after high school, and my college experience was representative of that struggle. I changed my major multiple times during my time in college and even wondered if I made the right choice attending college while at Louisiana Tech University.” Gough says he would have benefited tremendously from a program in high school that allows students to take classes in a chosen career area in conjunction with a work-based experience to learn about a particular occupation or industry. This experience can give a student a head start in life by giving them the necessary training to pursue their desired job and build valuable soft skills transferable to any career. 

A successful internship program will benefit the students involved and give school systems valuable insight into current and future workforce skills needed, which can be integrated into all curriculum at a site. In addition, this partnership can offer employers a way to introduce fresh perspectives and create a pipeline for new hires and mentorship opportunities for existing employees at the organization or business. To build a successful internship program for high school students, strong ties need to be established between businesses and education systems with extra attention to developing a mutually beneficial plan for both parties. These relationships have traditionally been built between higher-ed institutions and businesses. Still, as we have moved to a focus on college and career readiness in K-12 education, the needs are changing. With these changes comes the need for a new approach to relationships between businesses and school districts, which is the basis of Gough’s fellowship research. His goal is to use this research to provide schools with tools for promoting internships with industry partners throughout Louisiana to build a strong workforce for our state and give valuable workplace experiences to students.

To build the infrastructure for the internship recruiting plan, Gough will rely on a large team of business and organization contacts across the state. He hopes to build a flexible plan to work in the state’s rural, suburban, and urban areas. As a member of a hybrid rural/suburban community himself, Gough knows how hard it can be to recruit businesses into an internship program where proximity to the needed workplace for some career pathways can be challenging at times. This will require an open mind to find innovative approaches to setting up a modern internship program that meets the needs of students and the business community. Gough and his team will approach this challenge with a Design Thinking mindset and ensure that student success is kept at the forefront when any decisions are made throughout the development of the business recruiting plan. 

Throughout his career, Gough has worked with local, regional, and national organizations and companies that he has relied on to stay current with workforce development, hiring trends, workplace environment trends, and the skills needed in an ever-changing work environment. Staying current in these areas is an important part of the internship process and essential to students’ success in the program. Building these connections can be hard, so Gough chose this topic for his fellowship year. “If I can help school systems find ways to build workforce-related connections and bring new internship opportunities to their school communities, our students will be more successful, which ultimately means our state is more successful. That is the ultimate goal of this fellowship,” says Gough.

Brian Gough has been an educator in St. Charles Parish Public Schools for 25 years, with 17 of those years coming at the Satellite Center. He has taught across all grade levels of K-12 education since earning his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech University and his Masters of Education from Southeastern Louisiana University.

Brian’s Social Media Info:
Twitter @anagileeducator
Instagram @anagileeducator
LinkedIn @bcgough

2022 Louisiana Public Interest Fellow

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA 3. Military

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Wreaths Across America
Giving In July

Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Joey Strickland, COL (USA Retired) is encouraging all Louisianans to give in July to remember veterans through the Wreaths Across America program at LDVA’s five state-run veterans cemeteries. Louisianans can purchase a wreath now to be placed on a Louisiana veteran’s grave on Dec. 17 instead of waiting until the holidays to make the purchase.

“There are thousands of veterans whose final resting place is one of our five veterans cemeteries,” said Secretary Strickland. “While some veterans have family and friends who routinely purchase a wreath and place it on their veteran’s grave each December, many have no one. This year’s theme is Find a Way to Serve, and I’m asking my fellow Louisianans to stand in the gap to remember veterans this year by purchasing one or more wreaths in honor of those who served our country.”

Wreaths cost $15 each, and for every two wreath sponsorships sold, a third wreath will be provided to the cemetery of your choice as part of a special sponsorship group program option available through the national program.

To purchase wreaths, visit the links below for the cemetery of your choice:

Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery
bit.ly/LeesvilleWreaths

Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery
bit.ly/RayvilleWreaths

Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery
bit.ly/SlidellWreaths

Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery
bit.ly/JenningsWreaths

If you would like to purchase a wreath for any veteran interred at one of our cemeteries, select the number of wreaths you would like and proceed to check out by selecting Review My Sponsorships. If you want to purchase a wreath for a specific veteran, choose the number of wreaths you would like, and select the Grave Specific option under More Options. You will need to indicate if you will place the wreath yourself or have a volunteer place it for you. If you want to complete the wreath sponsorship order form to mail in, visit this link.

The Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery staff places wreaths on its veterans’ graves, which are donated by a local business. Therefore, they do not need wreaths to be purchased there.

Wreaths Across America ceremonies are held annually in December across the nation at more than 3,100 participating locations to remember, honor, and teach. The organization’s goal is to place a live balsam fir wreath at the headstone of every interred service member to ensure no one will be forgotten.

For more information about purchasing wreaths, Wreaths Across America, or LDVA, visit vetaffairs.la.gov, email veteran@la.gov, call 225.219.5000 or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Featured Recipe Cranberry Lime Spritzer

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Cranberry Lime Spritzer

Cool off this summer with the First Lady’s favorite mocktail! The beauty of this drink is its simplicity and wide appeal. It is truly a drink for anyone to make and enjoy! This recipe is how the First Lady prefers it, but feel free to change it up to suit your taste. 

Makes 1 serving

  • 1/4 cup cranberry juice (Oceanspray Diet Cranberry Juice)
  • 1/2 cup lime flavored carbonated mineral water (Lime Perrier)
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 3 ice cubes

Combine ice cubes, cranberry juice, carbonated water, and lime juice into a glass. Garnish with a slice or wedge of fresh lime and enjoy!

MEMORABLE VERSE July 2022

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THE FIRST DOGS A Slice of Summer

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Fresh watermelon is a summer snack staple that the whole family can enjoy… including your dogs! On hot days like these, Bandit, Lady, and Molly love the refreshing and sweet taste of watermelon. Watermelon is high in vitamins, minerals, and water content and low in calories, making it a wonderful and hydrating treat for your dog – just make sure to remove the seeds and rind, and contact your veterinarian for appropriate serving size!

MEET OUR EDITOR Delery Rice

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A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Delery has lived there all of her life except during undergraduate school and a brief stint in Seattle, WA. She is a mother to four boys, ranging in ages from 21 to 16, and they are the heart and soul of her life.

Delery earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and Master’s Degree from Louisiana State University. She completed a fellowship at Loyola University, New Orleans Institute of Politics, and currently attends Harvard Kennedy School of Public Policy. Her volunteer work has mostly evolved from issues that have affected her personally. Actively engaged in disability rights advocacy, Delery has testified numerous times in the Louisiana Legislature regarding issues that affect persons with developmental disabilities. She served as the chair of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, worked for seven years directing regional advocacy efforts and is a graduate of Louisiana’s Partners In Policymaking.

LFF_Blog_July2022_Recipe

Featured Recipe: Cranberry Lime Spritzer

 

FIRST LADY’S
Cranberry
Lime
Spritzer

 

CRANBERRY LIME SPRITZER

divider-spoon
Cool off this summer with the First Lady’s favorite mocktail! The beauty of this drink is its simplicity and wide appeal. It is truly a drink for anyone to make and enjoy! This recipe is how the First Lady prefers it, but feel free to change it up to suit your taste. 
 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup cranberry juice (Oceanspray Diet Cranberry Juice)

1/2 cup lime flavored carbonated mineral water (Lime Perrier)

1 oz fresh lime juice

3 ice cubes

 

Directions:

Combine ice cubes, cranberry juice, carbonated water, and lime juice into a glass. Garnish with a slice or wedge of fresh lime and enjoy!

Makes 1 serving.

 

 

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People of Louisiana – Schools (July 2022)

 

LFF_Blog_July2022_Schools01

BRIAN GOUGH

2022 Louisiana Public Interest Fellow
St. Charles Parish
Lulling Elementary School, Assistant Principal
 

BRIAN GOUGH

2022 Louisiana Public Interest Fellow
St. Charles Parish
Lulling Elementary School, Assistant Principal
 

“Improving Opportunities Through Internships”

 

Brian Gough, an assistant principal in St. Charles Parish, was named a 2021 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year semifinalist and selected as Louisiana’s 2022 Public Interest Fellow. Launched by the Department of Education in 2018, the Fellowship allows one educator, chosen from the previous year’s list of Louisiana Teacher of the Year semifinalists, to spend a school year advocating for an education initiative of their choosing. 

Gough has dedicated most of his career to advancing career and technical education with an emphasis on advocating for experiential learning at the Satellite Center, a St. Charles Parish Public Schools career center. His pursuit of innovative solutions to prepare students for high-wage, high-demand careers drove Gough to dedicate his fellowship year to researching best practices for industry recruitment for internship programs. This focus area comes from his desire to help others find their path in life, something he struggled with early in his educational career. 

“I did not know what I wanted to do with my life after high school, and my college experience was representative of that struggle. I changed my major multiple times during my time in college and even wondered if I made the right choice attending college while at Louisiana Tech University.” Gough says he would have benefited tremendously from a program in high school that allows students to take classes in a chosen career area in conjunction with a work-based experience to learn about a particular occupation or industry. This experience can give a student a head start in life by giving them the necessary training to pursue their desired job and build valuable soft skills transferable to any career. 

A successful internship program will benefit the students involved and give school systems valuable insight into current and future workforce skills needed, which can be integrated into all curriculum at a site. In addition, this partnership can offer employers a way to introduce fresh perspectives and create a pipeline for new hires and mentorship opportunities for existing employees at the organization or business. To build a successful internship program for high school students, strong ties need to be established between businesses and education systems with extra attention to developing a mutually beneficial plan for both parties. These relationships have traditionally been built between higher-ed institutions and businesses. Still, as we have moved to a focus on college and career readiness in K-12 education, the needs are changing. With these changes comes the need for a new approach to relationships between businesses and school districts, which is the basis of Gough’s fellowship research. His goal is to use this research to provide schools with tools for promoting internships with industry partners throughout Louisiana to build a strong workforce for our state and give valuable workplace experiences to students.

To build the infrastructure for the internship recruiting plan, Gough will rely on a large team of business and organization contacts across the state. He hopes to build a flexible plan to work in the state’s rural, suburban, and urban areas. As a member of a hybrid rural/suburban community himself, Gough knows how hard it can be to recruit businesses into an internship program where proximity to the needed workplace for some career pathways can be challenging at times. This will require an open mind to find innovative approaches to setting up a modern internship program that meets the needs of students and the business community. Gough and his team will approach this challenge with a Design Thinking mindset and ensure that student success is kept at the forefront when any decisions are made throughout the development of the business recruiting plan. 

Throughout his career, Gough has worked with local, regional, and national organizations and companies that he has relied on to stay current with workforce development, hiring trends, workplace environment trends, and the skills needed in an ever-changing work environment. Staying current in these areas is an important part of the internship process and essential to students’ success in the program. Building these connections can be hard, so Gough chose this topic for his fellowship year. “If I can help school systems find ways to build workforce-related connections and bring new internship opportunities to their school communities, our students will be more successful, which ultimately means our state is more successful. That is the ultimate goal of this fellowship,” says Gough.

Brian Gough has been an educator in St. Charles Parish Public Schools for 25 years, with 17 of those years coming at the Satellite Center. He has taught across all grade levels of K-12 education since earning his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech University and his Masters of Education from Southeastern Louisiana University.

Brian’s Social Media Info:
Twitter @anagileeducator
Instagram @anagileeducator
LinkedIn @bcgough

2022 Louisiana Public Interest Fellow

 

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People of Louisiana – Military (July 2022)

 

Wreaths Across America

Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs

Wreaths Across America

Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Joey Strickland, COL (USA Retired) is encouraging all Louisianans to give in July to remember veterans through the Wreaths Across America program at LDVA’s five state-run veterans cemeteries. Louisianans can purchase a wreath now to be placed on a Louisiana veteran’s grave on Dec. 17 instead of waiting until the holidays to make the purchase.

“There are thousands of veterans whose final resting place is one of our five veterans cemeteries,” said Secretary Strickland. “While some veterans have family and friends who routinely purchase a wreath and place it on their veteran’s grave each December, many have no one. This year’s theme is Find a Way to Serve, and I’m asking my fellow Louisianans to stand in the gap to remember veterans this year by purchasing one or more wreaths in honor of those who served our country.”

Wreaths cost $15 each, and for every two wreath sponsorships sold, a third wreath will be provided to the cemetery of your choice as part of a special sponsorship group program option available through the national program.

To purchase wreaths, visit the links below for the cemetery of your choice:

Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery
bit.ly/LeesvilleWreaths

Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery
bit.ly/RayvilleWreaths

Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery
bit.ly/SlidellWreaths

Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery
bit.ly/JenningsWreaths

If you would like to purchase a wreath for any veteran interred at one of our cemeteries, select the number of wreaths you would like and proceed to check out by selecting Review My Sponsorships. If you want to purchase a wreath for a specific veteran, choose the number of wreaths you would like, and select the Grave Specific option under More Options. You will need to indicate if you will place the wreath yourself or have a volunteer place it for you. If you want to complete the wreath sponsorship order form to mail in, visit bit.ly/WAA to print.

The Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery staff places wreaths on its veterans’ graves, which are donated by a local business. Therefore, they do not need wreaths to be purchased there.

Wreaths Across America ceremonies are held annually in December across the nation at more than 3,100 participating locations to remember, honor, and teach. The organization’s goal is to place a live balsam fir wreath at the headstone of every interred service member to ensure no one will be forgotten.

For more information about purchasing wreaths, Wreaths Across America, or LDVA, visit vetaffairs.la.gov, email veteran@la.gov, call 225.219.5000 or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

LFF_Blog_July2022_Military02
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LFF_Blog_July2022_Community

People of Louisiana – Community (July 2022)

 

LFF_Blog_July2022_Community

Education of the Heart

MANNERS OF THE HEART



 COMMUNITY

The Answer: Education of the Heart Jill Rigby Garner

Fifth graders know so much more than we do as adults, no matter how knowledgeable we believe we have become. A commencement address delivered for graduating fifth graders a few years ago proved this to be a true statement.  

These young graduates were Manners of the Heart kids who had been taught the principles of others-centeredness, esteeming others before self, and humble confidence since first grade.

The day’s speaker drew a diagram of a StrongHeart character on a whiteboard. The students were asked to name the heart attributes of a StrongHeart. They shouted, “Love, respect, obedience, compassion,” and on and on. The speaker wrote their answers in the character’s heart. The heart became filled with life-giving qualities.

The students were then asked to share scenarios in which their participation might damage their strong hearts as middle-schoolers. They rattled off real-life answers: “lying,” “fighting,” “sex,” and “cheating.”

“Let’s take a look at what takes place in your heart as you answer those invitations,” the speaker replied.

“If you say ‘yes,’ when you should say ‘no,’ you’ll break a piece of your heart,” she said as she erased a section of the heart outline. “Do it again, and you’ll break another piece of your heart,” she continued, erasing another piece of the heart and then another until she made it through their scenarios. By the end, the protective wall of the once StrongHeart had been completely worn down.

“Before you realize what’s happening to you, your heart will begin to fall apart. If your strong heart weakens, what will happen to the good stuff in it?” she quizzed.

Multiple voices shouted, “Bad stuff gets in.”

“That’s right!” she exclaimed with utter delight (for every Manners of the Heart kid learns—you take the bad stuff out and put the good things in, and if the good stuff falls out, the bad stuff gets in!).

As the speaker turned back to the StrongHeart character, she asked the students, “What happens to the love in StrongHeart’s heart?” The students came back with, “It turns to hate.” She replaced the word “Love” with “Hate.”

“What happens to the respect?” she asked. “It becomes disrespect,” they replied. She made the change. “Obedience” becomes “disobedience,” and on and on.

When the exercise was completed, StrongHeart had nothing good left in his heart. “Who has StrongHeart become?” she asked.

Without hesitation, a typically timid girl whispered under her breath, “Depressed.” A young man shouted from the back, “He’s a murderer.” His profound answer stunned everyone in the auditorium. The depth of his understanding was astonishing.  

Other children called out, “Mean. Scary. Sad.”

Then, the speaker asked the really tough question, “Who broke the heart of StrongHeart?”

There was a long silence until one young man bravely raised his hand and said, “He did.”

“Yeah,” from down the row. “I did too.”

“Me, too,” nodded one of the girls.

“You’re right…you break your own heart when you make the wrong choices. I break my heart when I make wrong decisions,” she affirmed. “When we allow the bad stuff to take over, look what happens…we lose our StrongHearts.”

“And we have no one to blame but ourselves. But, there’s good news…YOU know who can fix it,” the speaker emphasized with a fist pump over her heart.

“He can!” said one. “I can!” said another. “We can fix our hearts,” the rest joined in agreement. As they talked of correcting mistakes and making the right choices, the StrongHeart became filled once again with the good stuff. With each right decision, the speaker traced the wall of his heart repeatedly until they had created an impenetrable barrier around the good contents.    

They got it.

As a result of their Heart Education, these Manners of the Heart students were fully capable of accepting responsibility and accountability for their choices as upcoming middle-schoolers. Through this activity, they exhibited an understanding that the attitudes behind their actions are formulated in their hearts. They demonstrated how their hearts’ content determines what they will say and do.
This was not mindfulness; it was heart-to-mind communication.  

Medical researchers confirm the heart informs the brain, not the other way around.

Research from Drs John and Beatrice Lacey that began in the 1960s is resurfacing today in neurocardiology, the study of the heart and brain. Dr. M. A. Armour asserted in his ground-breaking book, Neurocardiology,

These scientific advances illuminate the fact that while we may believe the brain is our decision-maker and ruler, the heart is more powerful than we ever imagined—functioning as a sensory organ, hormone-producing gland, and information-processing center.

The Heart Speaks by Dr. Mimi Guarneri, medical director of the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, states:

Each heartbeat sends complex signals to the brain and other organs. These heart signals can reach higher brain centers, ultimately affecting our reasons, choices, emotions, and perceptions. The heart has not only its own language but its own mind.

We have failed this generation because we neglected the education of their hearts in favor of filling their minds with facts, figures, and falsehoods. Instruction that has led to confusion, anxiety, depression, chaos, and the loss of life.

We must strengthen and preserve the next generation’s hearts to save them from the pain of the current generation. The answer is only found in the education of the heart.

Jill Rigby Garner is the founder of Manners of the Heart, a nonprofit organization based in Baton Rouge. Manners of the Heart’s elementary school curriculum has reached schools and parents from Baton Rouge to Kampala, Uganda.
For more information, visit: https://mannersoftheheart.org/

 

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