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Louisiana Fosters – Riverside

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Louisiana Fosters

RIVERSIDE
Church of Christ

 

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Riverside
Church of Christ

Riverside is a small congregation of about 300 faithful souls located at 200 South City Parkway in Lafayette. What it lacks in members it makes up in love. The First Lady once said about Riverside, “We have a concern for the children in our community and this State”. The real concern started back in the summer of 2016. The Acadiana area had been devastated by massive flooding, and supplies were being distributed to the people in the community, when Riverside was approached by Ms. Michelle Trahan of Children and Family services. She asked if Riverside could provide help to some families with foster children, whose homes were flooded. It was with open hearts that Riverside made every effort to see that these families got the help they needed. It was the true and caring hearts of the women at Children and Family services that brought to light the realization of just how important these children are to the community. Since then, every year, Riverside hosts a “Breakfast with Santa”. Here, the gift wish lists of foster children are filled. Riverside helped 40 Foster families in 2019 in their community with Thanksgiving meals. The month of November was a blessing for Riverside as they were able to host an adoption ceremony. What a joy it was to see the children adopted into caring families.  An Easter egg hunt with bar-b-que, and fun jump is planned for April of 2020, and Riverside also supplies gift cards and anything in any area there is a need.

Danny Hebert, director of Riverside says, “I have come to realize that sometimes it is the little things we do for these families, that can make the biggest difference in their lives. When you see a need that is filled, it can bring an indescribable joy to your heart. But when you are able to see a child smile there is no greater feeling in this world. I consider Riverside and myself fortunate to be able to be a part of what is going on in our great state, to help these children and these wonderful families”. 

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Teach MAM Micro Grant Application

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Teach MAM Micro Grants

 

Teach MAM

 

Teach MAM: An Exciting Partnership to Strengthen Arts Education Across Louisiana

Teach MAM Micro Grants

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Big Announcement for the Teach MAM Program!!

Teachers can now apply for a micro grant from Louisiana First Foundation. Click below and fill out the form to receive a $500.00 micro-grant to use toward your music, arts or movement program in your school! Two micro-grants will be awarded each month in 2020.

NOTE: The grant must be submitted by a teacher or administrator of a music, art or movement program that takes place during regular school hours. After school programs do not qualify. All applicants must be from Louisiana Public Schools.

Click here for the online grant form

 

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Blog – January 2020

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JANUARY 2020
Volume 2, Edition 3

January
2020

Volume 2, Edition 3
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A Word from the First Lady of Louisiana

January 2020, what a month!

New Year’s Day 2020 was the beginning of a new decade. And January 13th not only marked the beginning of our second term as Governor and First Lady, but also the incredible College Football Playoff National Championship victory of the LSU Tigers!

I had been praying about my Word of the Year for 2020 but was having a hard time deciding between three words that I felt God was bringing to my attention: thankful, gratitude, and praise.  

Recently, my mom received some excellent results from a health test, and she said, “Donna, I am like the tenth leper.  I am running back and giving thanks to Jesus.” I thought of that message so often over the next few months.  How often we pray in earnest and although things don’t always turn out as we would like, we still have so much for which to be grateful and thankful. How often do things turn out just like we ask and pray; yet, we fail to run back and say thank you?  We fail to be grateful and to praise God for our blessings.

 

One Sunday, we were given a basket of goodies at a church we visited and one of the items was a bottle of bubble bath with the scent Thankful.  “Hmmm,” I thought, that word had appeared in so many of my readings and meditations.  And after John Bel won the run-off election in November, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of gratitude for being trusted to serve four more years, I am so grateful John Bel will be able to do even more good things for the people of our great state and for the opportunities I will have to continue giving back and doing more to help our children and families through my initiatives.  We’re both excited to get to work!

In December, I received The Catholic Commentator publication. The Commentator contained an article, “A Time of Waiting and Living in Thanksgiving,” by Father John Carville.  It is worth reading over and over again.  I plan on doing that throughout this year. Below is a link to the article.

After I purchased gratitude journals for many of my friends, the word praise kept showing up in so many ways. One particular time was when we were preparing for Inauguration Day, the director gave me the title of one of the songs that had been suggested the choir sing, “Total Praise.”  For the next week, I saw “Praise” everywhere.  Wow, I was confused about what my word would be for 2020. Then I thought, I’ll look up the definition of praise. Then I looked up the meaning of thankful and then gratitude: one a noun, one an adjective, and the other a verb.

So, as this new year continues to unfold, I will be Thankful, I will show Gratitude and I will give Praise to God. Amen

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Click here to read Father John Carville's article about Gratitude
Continue by Maya Angelou - click to download

It is John Bel and my wish to continue the good work we have started with guidance from God. This poem came to me through the grace of God, and speaks exactly to what we would like to do. Enjoy!

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LCYTC The Louisiana Child and Youth Trafficking Collaborative

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During January, public-private entities across the United States have engaged in activities to highlight the importance of the prevention of human sex and labor trafficking during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.  This month, here in Louisiana, we have been very fortunate under the leadership of our Governor and First Lady Donna Edwards, to host the first training for The Louisiana Child and Youth Trafficking Collaborative (LCYTC). LCYTC is a 1.5 million dollar federal project through the US Department of Justice to address human trafficking among juveniles.  The overall goal of The LCYTC, also known as The Collaborative, will be to improve Louisiana’s response to child and youth trafficking utilizing a multi-disciplinary, region-based approach to achieve statewide coverage.  Other goals of the project will be to work collaboratively with public-private sector partners to achieve the following: 1) Reduce child and youth sex and labor trafficking in Louisiana, 2) Strengthen identification of Louisiana’s child and youth victims’ sex and labor trafficking, 3) Develop a strong collaborative statewide network of coordinated local multi-disciplinary teams, and 4) Implement a comprehensive service system that supports child and youth victims of sex and labor trafficking.

Funding for The Collaborative will allow the Governor’s Office to sub-contract with the Louisiana Alliance of Child Advocacy Centers and local Child Advocacy Centers to hire Regional Child and Youth Trafficking Coordinators, to train professionals on a best practice risk screening and identification tool, and to establish a survivor advisory council that will help to inform a region-specific protocol for identification and treatment services for victims.  This model has been widely used in several other states such as California, Texas, and Massachusetts and has seen much success.

The State of Louisiana has seen significant progress over the last decade in professionals acknowledging the issue of human trafficking, in improved victim identification, and in passing laws to decriminalize child victims and to place the blame on the exploiters.  Government leaders, state lawmakers, and community providers alike are each doing a better job of working collectively to understand the gaps and soft spots better and to set forth a plan to improve.  Although we still have more work to do, with this continued collaboration, I do not doubt that as a state, we will continue to improve public safety for children and families and see fewer child and adult victims of this horrific crime.  

If you would like to become involved with the work of the Collaborative, please contact Dr. Dana R. Hunter at dana.hunter@la.gov.  Also, if you suspect that someone may be involved in human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888 or text “BeFree” to (233733).

LOUISIANA FIRST FOUNDATION

Yes Mam, No Mam, Thank you Mam = Teach MAM!

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Blog – January 2020
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INAUGURATION John Bel Edwards sworn in for Second Term as Louisiana Governor

John Bel Edwards was sworn in for a second term as Louisiana governor on Monday, January 13th. The inaugural festivities began early on Monday morning with Catholic mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in downtown Baton Rouge. Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop Aymand.  

Governor Edwards was sworn in during a ceremony on the steps of the Louisiana Capital beginning at 11:30am. During his speech, the Governor spoke of his priorities and laid the foundation for his next term. Among his priorities are addressing early childhood education and funding this important issue across the state.

“We know that education is key to economic opportunity and the pathway to prosperity must begin at the earliest stage of life,” Edwards said. In addition to early childhood education, he will also focus on his plan to increase education funding across the board and provide a bump in teacher pay.

“Over the next four years we’re going to continue increasing classroom funding and we’re going to give educators additional pay raises that will get them to at least the southern regional average,” Edwards said. Other priorities for the governor include setting the state’s minimum wage at $9 per hour, passing equal pay legislation, and improving the state’s infrastructure.

“As our economy grows, so must the quality of our roads and bridges,” he said.

“The future is ours to seize, but we have to commit here and now to be great, to work together, to continue to reject the partisan rancor and dysfunction that plagues Washington, D.C.,” Edwards said. The inauguration ceremony featured a 19-cannon salute, a performance by the West Point Glee Club as well as prayer and hymns sung by the Centenary College, Grambling State University, and Southern University choirs. The ceremony ended with a reading of Maya Angelou’s “Continue”.

The annual inaugural ball was delayed until late 2020 due to the LSU vs. Clemson National Championship game. More information about the ball will be provided at a later date.

WATCH INAUGURATION VIDEO HERE

Women’s Health Blog
January 2020

Words from Dr. Elena Mann

Dr. Elena Mann is an obstetrician and gynecologist with South Louisiana Medical Associates and Terrebonne General Medical Center.

Ladies First!

Women’s health is perhaps one of the most influential health initiatives of our time.  Women play a vital role in ensuring others receive the care they need, but many women often neglect themselves.  As we enter into the time of year when resolutions are made, resolve to put ladies first! This will lead to profound changes in women’s health and family well being.  As most well-intentioned resolutions are not kept, let this be a handy guide in which to refer if you get off track during the year.  The key to change is to make small steps that you can build upon.

 

 

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PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA Making a Difference

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COMMUNITY

Nominations Are Now Open!

Do you know a strong woman (or man) who has a nonprofit worthy of recognition? Or someone who is committed to making a difference in their community by volunteering?

We would like to feature them in the blog!

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SCHOOLS

Kimberly Eckert

Kimberly Eckert teaches Educators Rising and serves as the Innovative Programs Coordinator, for West Baton Rouge Parish Schools in Louisiana.  She holds a BA in social work, an MEd in Special Education, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Learning, Innovation, and Instruction. 

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Blog – January 2020

MILITARY

Louisiana Military Family Assistance (MFA) Fund

Governor John Bel Edwards shared in his Second Inaugural Address that Louisiana has 491 men and women in the Louisiana National Guard and Air National Guard currently deployed overseas.  You may not know that, over the next twelve months, more than 2,000 Louisiana soldiers and airmen will deploy to the Middle East.  We are so grateful for these military service members and pray daily with their families for their safe return.  

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BUSINESS

Kim Lewis
Owner, Ole Orleans Winery

The road to success is never easy, but it’s rewarding.

No one knows this better than the owner of the winery, Ole Orleans, Kim Lewis. A single mom of four kids, Lewis’s journey to entrepreneurship was not an easy road; it included a lot of blockage, detours, & potholes. But eventually, she would become a part of the 1% of Black women who would own their own wine company. 

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FEATURED RECIPE

Chef Natasha St. Pierre Clement’s
Canoe Cake

Natasha was a former contestant on MasterChef Season 6 and a contestant and WINNER of Food Network’s All-Star Academy Season 2 under the tutelage of Chef Robert Irvine. This month she shares her recipe for her Canoe Cake: Andouille Crusted Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Shaved Mirliton, Carrot & Apple Slaw, Calabrian Chili & Smoked Paprika Aioli. Enjoy!

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May health and happiness
follow you and yours
during the year to come!

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December 2019

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Featured Recipe: Breaux’s Shrimp and Grits

Chef Bonnie Breaux’s

Louisiana
Shrimp and Grits

Grits:

Melt 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 shallot (finely chopped) and sauté until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add 1 quart chicken stock and 1 quart heavy cream and bring to a boil. Add 2 cups coarse, stone-grind grits, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper, stir, reduce heat to low, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until all liquid is absorbed, 30 to 40 minutes. Beat in 8 ounces cream cheese (softened) with a wooden spoon until fully incorporated. Remove from heat, cover and set aside and keep warm.

 

Sauce:

Melt ¼ pound unsalted butter in a large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ½ medium yellow onion (julienned), ½ medium red onion (julienned), ½ medium red bell pepper (julienned) and ½ green bell pepper (julienned) and sauté until softened, about 8 minutes. Add 3 cups finely chopped smoked Tasso, stir, then add 2 quarts shrimp stock and 2 quarts heavy cream and cook on medium uncovered until mixture is reduced by one third, about 1 hour. Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon white pepper, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon Louisiana hot sauce and ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic. Add ½ cup sherry and blend thoroughly. Set aside and keep warm.

Shrimp:

Combine 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 ½ tablespoons paprika, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 2 tablespoons light brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Blend thoroughly, add 3 pounds 21-25 count Gulf shrimp (peeled and deveined), and toss to coat.

Set a cast iron skillet over high heat for five minutes. Working very quickly, add 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, then shrimp. Allow seasoning on the shrimp to blacken, about 90 seconds. Turn shrimp and repeat.

 

To Plate:

Divide grits among six shallow soup plates. Using a wooden spoon, make a deep impression in the center of the grits. Divide sauce, then shrimp atop the grits. Serve at once.

Chef Bonnie Breaux Executive Chef, Cafe Sydnie Mae - Breaux Bridge, LA

Chef Bonnie Breaux is the Executive Chef at the Café Sydnie Mae in Breaux Bridge, LA.  

Bonnie started her culinary career by opening Breaux’s Cajun Catering in Covington, LA. After five years, Bonnie moved back to her hometown and became the Executive Chef of Clementine Dining and Spirits as well as Peltier’s Catering.  Bonnie was “discovered” while competing in the World Championship Gumbo Contest and eventually was offered the Executive Chef position at Roux, in Tampa FL, where she prepared Louisiana cuisine for the folks in South Florida. During Bonnie’s tenure at Roux, the restaurant was voted in the Top 50 as well as having her signature dish featured at the 2017 College Football Championship in Tampa and also participated in The James Beard Sunday Supper Tampa Bay event.

Throughout Bonnie’s career, she has been fortunate to experience many culinary opportunities. Recently, Bonnie was chosen as one of the 26 exclusive chefs to prepare a dish for the James Beard Sunday Supper fundraising benefit.

Chef Breaux returned to Louisiana that she loves and brought her expertise to The St. John Restaurant in St Martinville. Chef Bonnie competed in the 2017 Louisiana Seafood Competition and competed against 11 male chefs throughout Louisiana. She won the competition and is the first female chef to win this title. Chef Breaux was also named 2018 Small Town Chef of the year this past July. . Bonnie is now the Executive Chef at Cafe Sydnie Mae where she continues to carry on the tradition of Southern Hospitality.

Bonnie’s time away from the kitchen usually is spending time with her 88-year-old mother or going to see her children and grandchildren in Covington, LA.

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Anti-Human Trafficking – Sister Norma

Metanoia Manor

WORDS FROM SISTER NORMA

Happy New Year 2019 from Metanoia Manor,

As we celebrate the most wonderful time of year, and the most awesome event in human history, the coming of God to earth as a little child in the manger, we come to you to celebrate. As we celebrate Christ’s birthday, we want to wish you God’s blessings for the care you have given to Metanoia Manor. Without your help, we could not provide the much needed comfort to our young girls.

Metanoia Manor has been fully operational since February 2018 with the arrival of our first resident. The stories of our girls in the hands of traffickers are vicious and cruel. The girls’ tears have no limit. The wounds are fresh. The scars, ever-present. Only God can heal them completely. Please pray for the girls and for us so we may have wisdom and strength.

The trauma therapy, substance abuse, group therapy, individual counseling, psychological help, medications, spiritual assistance, and doctor visits are some of the ways the girls are beginning to heal. Afternoons are dedicated to home schooling; so that when our residents leave Metanoia, they can move forward in society. Weekends bring time for fun outings and recreation just like other conventional teens.

Thank you for every penny spent, your valuable time, your energy, your talents shared, food cooked and the many other donations towards Metanoia. “Whatever you do for the least of these children, you have done unto me.” Mt 25:40. Let us join hand-in-hand to help save so many young girls.

May your heart be filled with joy, peace, and love which are the real blessings that Christmas brings. May you receive the gift of faith and the blessings of hope, and may all your Christmas dreams come true. May the brightness of the star of that silent and holy night illuminate your life with the love that the new born Christ brings. Wishing you a bright, beautiful, joyful Christmas and a wonderful New Year full of God’s favor and blessings.

 Thank you and Happy New Year,

Sister Norma Nunez

To learn more please visit http://metanoia-inc.org

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Louisiana Fosters – James Storehouse Louisiana

James Storehouse
Louisiana

 

James Storehouse Louisiana is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves the foster care community with physical and relational resources that help to provide homes for kids coming into the system, and to transition youth aging out of the system into independence. From cribs to college, they serve kids in foster care.

In partnership with Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services, James Storehouse fulfills needs such as cribs, twin beds, bunkbeds, and wheelchair ramps to help ready homes, as well as dormitory fees and transportation costs for youth aging out of the system. They have even gifted senior rings and cap and gowns to celebrate foster youth who are graduating high school. 

James Storehouse expanded their footprint after First Lady Donna Edwards launched Louisiana Fosters. Through that network, James Storehouse heard about a program called Open Table that helps to provide a strong support system for our youth who need to be empowered to transition well. Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation awarded a grant to James Storehouse Louisiana to bring the program to the Florida Parishes (Livingston, Tangipahoa, St. Tammany, Washington, and St. Helena). 

In this spirit of collaboration, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Covington then donated 4800 square feet of space to become James Storehouse Louisiana Youth and Family Development Center, a family-friendly community center that specifically serves our kids and families in the Foster Care system. Children visit with their biological parents in beautiful rooms filled with art supplies to enjoy together. Conference rooms filled with healing art hold family team meetings. Teens have a bright space where they play games, use computers, and attend life skills classes. A community room, complete with a kitchen, is available for special events and trainings for caseworkers and foster families. There is a library for kids of all ages for tutoring. James Storehouse Louisiana desires to see a community center near every child welfare office.

There is power in a strong network. James Storehouse Louisiana has become part of the Louisiana Fosters community to help build a stronger bridge from resource and relational supports to those in foster care.

There is a movement happening on behalf of our most vulnerable because local communities are stepping up and into foster care. One of the greatest reforms in the system is that the system would be known as a community, because it functions as one.

Kim Bigler, Founder, James Storehouse Louisiana

 

For more information about James Storehouse, including a list of resources available for foster parents, visit https://www.jslouisiana.org

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Teach MAM – Certification

Teach MAM

 

Teach MAM: An Exciting Partnership to Strengthen Arts Education Across Louisiana

Teach MAM Certification Program

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The children of Louisiana deserve a joyful, well-rounded education that connects them with Louisiana’s rich culture and prepares them for the 21st century creative workforce. As a former music teacher, the First Lady knows first-hand the value of arts education in children’s lives. The Louisiana First Foundation is excited to announce the Teach MAM (Music, Arts and Movement) Certification program, an innovative new partnership with the New Orleans Arts Education Alliance (ArtsEdALL) to help Louisiana public schools increase access to the arts for children across the state.

The Teach MAM Certification program will begin its pilot phase in January, working with a representative group of schools from diverse parishes to develop a shared “road map to excellence” in arts education. The result will be a Teach MAM Certification badge program that K-12 schools can use to develop school-wide arts education plans, celebrate their efforts with the education community, and access funding, resources and professional development to build their programs. Participation in this program will also include support for schools in adapting to the new state education policy (ESSA) which will include arts education.

ArtsEdALL and the Louisiana First Foundation will use the findings from the pilot program to launch the full Teach MAM Certification pilot that all schools can participate in during spring 2019. By working directly with schools and engaging with other leading partners, this program will develop a shared vision for K-12 arts education, laying the groundwork for children in Louisiana to experience music, arts and movement for generations to come.

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Ladies of Louisiana – Business (Jan. 2019)

Christina Couvillion

Owner and President, Quality First Marine

Christina Couvillion

Christina Couvillion is the owner and president of a Louisiana based marine transportation and construction company. During her leadership, along with the support of her loyal staff, the company has steadily grown 1200%.

After earning her BS in Microbiology from Louisiana State University in 1996, it wasn’t long before Ms. Couvillion found her true passion in the marine industry.

Established in 2005, Quality First Marine, a certified Woman-Owned Small Business, was started by Ms. Couvillion with just two employees, one boat, and a lot of hard work. Since its inception, QFM continues to reinvest in its business, its people, and the community, showing growth each year. The company currently employs 25-30 local residents and owns an extensive fleet of boats and other heavy equipment.

Instrumental in her growth and strategic business planning and operational strategies was the assistance she received from several local business resource providers, including Louisiana Economic Development. SBA, The Urban League’s Women’s Business Resource & Entrepreneurship Center, Louisiana Small Business Development Center, and Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

Ms. Couvillion serves as member and/or participates in the following organizations: Society of Military Engineers, 10K Goldman Sachs Alumni, SBA/ 8(a), DBE, Woman Business Enterprise National Council, National Minority Business Enterprise Southeastern, SBA Emerging Leaders 2014, Louisiana Oil & Gas Association, Plaquemines Associations Business and Industry, and Greater New Orleans Barge & Fleeting Association to name a few.

As a business owner and a single mother of three sons, Ms. Couvillion continues to take active roles in her community by using her business as a platform to contribute to the livelihood of Louisiana, donating to several local businesses and community efforts including St. Tammany Parish Hospital Parenting Center, Hope House, Urban League of Greater New Orleans, Restore the Earth Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Link-Stryjewski, St. Tammany Humane Society, Innocence Project New Orleans, A Child’s Wish, Good Work Network, and Second Harvest Food Bank, among others.

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Ladies of Louisiana – Military (Jan. 2019)

Sandy Franks

Veteran, United States Air Force

Sandy Franks Veteran, United States Air Force

Sandy Franks was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida.  She served 23 years in the United States Air Force and retired in 1997 at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant.  She was a licensed practical nurse when she entered the Air Force, was later trained as an EMT and Paramedic and spent many years working in the Emergency Room at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.  She served in the First Sergeant career field for 7 years and was the first woman in the Air Force to be First Sergeant of an Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron.  She also served as First Sergeant, 501st Tactical Missile Maintenance Squadron, Greenham Common Air Base, England and the 377th Security Police Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.  She was assigned to Barksdale AFB in 1993 and worked at the 2nd medical group.  She completed her career as the Chief of Protocol for the former 2nd Bomb Wing Commander, Brigadier General Dave Young.

Her decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (5 awards), the Humanitarian Service Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award (3 awards), and the AF Organizational Excellence Award. She is the recipient of numerous military recognitions to include Airman, NCO, Senior NCO and First Sergeant of the Year and was promoted under the Stripes for Exceptional Performers program.

After retirement Sandy worked in marketing and public relations in the private sector.  She was also the Chief Executive Officer for the local Girl Scout Council and the Public Affairs Officer at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center from 2007 until 2014.

She is especially dedicated to programs for Veterans, women and children.  She is the founder and President of the Women Veterans of the Ark La Tex, a non-profit organization which supports and assists women Veterans in the community.

She is proud of her service and proud to be a Veteran.

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