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People of Louisiana – Business (July 2020)

 

LINDSEY C. BENOIT

Owner

About Face of New Orleans

LINDSEY C. BENOIT Owner, About Face of New Orleans

     

Lindsey Benoit, franchise owner, lead makeup artist, and lash extensionist at About Face of New Orleans, came up with the idea of franchising the makeup and skincare boutique About Face of Mandeville, an undiagnosed medical issue caused her to rethink her career in education. A highly qualified elementary school teacher by trade, Lindsey spent  11 years in the classroom before bringing the idea of becoming the first franchise of About Face of Mandeville to her sister-in-law and corporate owner, Natalie Cogan.  With the guidance, support, and blessing from Natalie, Lindsey and her husband, Michael, worked toward opening the first About Face franchise on June 17, 2014.

About Face of New Orleans is a cosmetic and skincare boutique located in Metairie, LA. The company bears the name “About Face” to honor Natalie’s husband and father, who are both military veterans. Since Lindsey’s husband and father are also military veterans, it only seemed fitting to become involved with a company which supports our great country and military. The shop is a one-stop-shop for all things beauty. If you are looking for a top of the line cosmetics and skincare, bridal makeup, makeup applications and lessons, esthetic services, lash services, and even injectables, About Face will meet and exceed all your needs. Lindsey opened her shop with one full-time esthetician and one part-time retail associate. She has since grown her staff to three full-time estheticians, one part-time esthetician, and two freelance makeup artists.  

Specializing in bridal makeup, Lindsey loves to give her brides the look and feel of their best, beautiful self. Since moving away from education, Lindsey has also found a way to stay connected to the students she once taught. Through one on one and group makeup lessons, event makeup for dances, and dance recitals, Lindsey has been able to utilize her educational training differently. Instead of teaching academics, Lindsey is now teaching young girls how to love themselves for who they are and how to enhance their natural beauty.

Customer relations are of the utmost importance to Lindsey. Lindsey and her staff pride themselves on the relationships they build with all of their customers.  Once a customer walks through the door, they are no longer just a customer. They are family. When COVID-19 infected our way of life and halted Lindsey’s business, Lindsey and her staff stayed connected through social media and email marketing. Wanting to make sure all of their clients were taken care of and able to get the products they needed, Lindsey set up online shopping, checked in with clients daily, offered curbside pickup, local delivery and shipping. Anything customers needed, the About Face Staff found a way to make it happen.  When the doors opened back up during Phase 2 and clients began coming in again, to Lindsey, it felt like family was coming home.

About Face of New Orleans carries many cosmetic and skincare lines, such as Glo Skin Beauty, Bare Minerals, About Face Cosmetics, ModVellum Skincare, Repechage Skincare, Grande Cosmetics, Sigma, Ashley Sievert Cosmetics, Blinc, Sarah Happ, and many more.  If you’d like to stop in to visit, sample products, purchase products or schedule a service appointment, Lindsey and her staff are ready to meet you!

Website: www.aboutfacenola.com

Instagram/Facebook: AboutFaceNOLA

Address:
701 Metairie Road, Suite 1B106
Metairie, LA 70005
504-304-1556

Lindsey Benoit currently resides in Mandeville, LA, with her husband Michael, four boys, Alex, Braylen, Reese, and Bryson, and her puppy, Piper.

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People of Louisiana – Military (July 2020)

 

PROJECT LOVE

 

Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs

Project LOVE Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs

COVID-19 has affected all Louisianans, and the veterans at the state’s five veterans’ homes are no exception. These heroic men and women are missing interaction with family and friends as visitation remains closed for their safety. Despite the challenges, they say something good comes from every situation, and in this case, it’s Project LOVE.

On July 1, the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs launched Project LOVE (Love Our Veterans Every day), an initiative to show veterans our love and support, especially during the current pandemic. The project asks Louisianans to write to the more than 600 veterans who live in the state-run veterans’ homes. Our veterans are among our state’s and nation’s most priceless treasures, and writing a letter to show we care is a small token of appreciation for their service and sacrifice.

Louisianans can address their letters to Project LOVE and send them to one or more of our five veterans homes. The homes’ addresses are as follows:

Louisiana Veterans Home
4739 Highway 10
Jackson, LA 70748

Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home
6700 Highway 165 North
Monroe, LA 71203

Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home
3130 Arthur Ray Teague Parkway
Bossier City, LA 71112

Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home
4080 W. Airline Highway
Reserve, LA 70084

Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home
1610 Evangeline Road
Jennings, LA 70546

This project will continue throughout the summer. For information on the number of residents at each home, or any other questions regarding Project LOVE, please email veteran@la.gov or call 225.219.5005.

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

 

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Featured Chef: Chef Eric Cook on Gordon Ramsay Uncharted

 

CHEF ERIC COOK

featured on

Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted
Season 2

CHEF ERIC COOK

HUNGRY FOR SOME LOUISIANA ADVENTURE?

 Did you catch Louisiana’s own Chef Eric Cook on season 2 of Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted? Chef Eric proudly exhibits Louisiana’s abundant natural resources by serving up a bold adventure in Ramsay’s global culinary expedition series. In this season, Ramsay Turns Up the Heat and Feasts His Way Through Tasmania, South Africa, Indonesia, Louisiana, Norway, India and Guyana.

Season 2 takes the viewer on great adventures. Under the guidance of local experts and food legends he meets along the way, Ramsay will partake in culinary customs and learn about delicious delicacies and fresh flavors unique to each region. Every ingredient he harvests, dish he tastes and person he meets will inspire him to create a recipe from scratch, intended to represent the heart of that culture. Each episode concludes with Ramsay challenging himself during a final big cookout with a local food legend by his side, as they prepare a meal together for locals he met during his journey.

During his visit to Louisiana, the episode featuring Louisiana and Chef Eric Cook, Ramsay journeys to Louisiana to learn the secrets of Cajun cooking. He meets Eric Cook — a former Marine turned celebrated chef — who sends him off to get lost in the marsh and see what he brings back. In his quest, Ramsay faces down dangerous and delicious creatures from deep in the swamps to the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. Does he rise to the challenge, or do his skills end at the “End of the World?”

You can view the episode on the National Geographic App, HULU, and Disney Plus. You can also access it here:

Streaming link – http://qlnk.io/ql/5edfada9e4b0f215199de7c2

Download link – https://rumpus.natgeonetworks.com/_ssjoIQIN4VAxVR

Enjoy Chef Eric Cook’s cuisine locally at his award-winning restaurant, Gris Gris at 1800 Magazine Street in New Orleans.  

Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted is produced by Studio Ramsay for National Geographic. For Studio Ramsay, executive producers are Gordon Ramsay, Lisa Edwards and Jon Kroll. For National Geographic, executive producer is Betsy Forhan, vice president of production is Kevin Tao Mohs and executive vice president of National Geographic unscripted entertainment is Geoff Daniels. 

For more information, visit www.natgeotvpressroom.com. 

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Photo Credit: Emily R. Diament
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Chef Eric Cook

Chef Eric Cook, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, is a combat veteran who served six years in the United States Marine Corps. With training from the John Folse Culinary Institute, he began his culinary career at Brennan’s in the French Quarter where he studied under Chef Mike Roussel. Soon after, Cook joined the team at Commander’s Palace as Sous Chef and Chef de Partie. Cook has also worked as a private chef, executive banquet chef, and research and development consultant for several national restaurants. His career has taken him through some of the finest restaurants in New Orleans and he has served as Executive Chef for National WWII Museum’s American Sector, Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House, Tommy’s Cuisine, and N.O.S.H.

Cook has appeared on television shows such as Top Chef New Orleans, Off the Menu, After Hours with Daniel Boulud and News with a Twist. He has been featured in magazines such as Saveur, Cooking Light, NOLA Family, and Louisiana Cookin’. He represented New Orleans at the James Beard House “Wild About Wild American Shrimp” event in 2007, and at the grand opening of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum (SoFAB).

 

Cook also participates in the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience and Tales of the Cocktail. He has been honored to cook for the NFL Hall of Fame, the U.S. Marine Corps Ball and U.S. Navy Ball, private dinners the Sergeant Major of the United States Marine Corps and Vice Admiral of the Navy Reserve, and well as a special dinner for President George W. Bush, the President of Mexico, and the Prime Minister of Canada.

In 2016 Cook won the National Chef’s Taste Challenge, 1st place in the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Seafood Competition, and received the Award for Culinary Excellence from Centerplate. His barbecue team won “Whole Hog Champion” of Hogs for the Cause in 2016, and had top 10 rankings in 2 categories in 2018. He has also participated in Great American Seafood Cookoff, the Louisiana Seafood Cookoff, and most recently, the ACF Best Chefs of Louisiana.

An advocate for the United States military and his hometown, Cook stayed in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina to helped feed troops and first responders. He has been an active volunteer for organizations such as Wounded Warriors, The Legacy Foundation, Disposable Heroes Project, We Heart Veterans, The American Red Cross, is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and is a founder and President of the First to Fight Foundation. Cook has volunteered for many charitable events such as the Steel Beach Picnic, Café Hope Mentor Program, Edible School Yard New Orleans, St. Michael’s Chef’s Charity, the United Way of Greater New Orleans, Better Than Ezra Foundation, and several schools in the New Orleans area.

In 2018, Cook opened Gris-Gris in the Lower Garden District in New Orleans where he serves classic Southern dishes and New Orleans favorites such as shrimp and grits, chicken and dumplings, and redfish court-bouillon. Gris-Gris has an open kitchen where you can sit at the counter, chat with the chef, and see everything being prepared, as well as a beautiful upstairs bar, wrap around balcony overlooking Magazine Street, and a private dining room with a roof-top terrace. Gris-Gris has already won awards for best chef, best gumbo, and named “Best New Restaurant of 2018” by New Orleans City Business, “Reader’s Choice: Best Restaurant of the Year” by Eater New Orleans, and “Best Bar for People Watching” by New Orleans Magazine.

 

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People of Louisiana – Schools (July 2020)

 

SPENCER KIPER

2019 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year

A Nod to Our Newest Recruits:
Advice for Louisiana’s New Teachers

 

Spencer Kiper 2019 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year

A Nod to Our Newest Recruits:
Advice for Louisiana’s New Teachers

“What do you remember most about your first year teaching?” Ask this to any teacher, and you’ll inevitably hear accounts from teachers recalling how they stumbled through their first years in the classroom, learning the vast amount of information about protocols and procedures, as well as about the experiences they had facing issues that they had not quite mastered in their undergraduate programs. Teachers swap these anecdotes like old war stories. It’s a tough year, to say the least, but through that experience, educators gain the perspective and grit needed to make truly incredible things happen with students. This foundational year weighs heavily on new teachers, and with the current COVID situation, the upcoming school year will likely be a new kind of challenging for first-year teachers. Teacher mentorship will be critical in supporting first-year teachers in the year ahead. Luckily, we have expert educators across the state who see this as an opportunity and will step up to become rock star mentors to the newest members of our teacher workforce.

Spencer Kiper, 2019 Louisiana State Teacher of Year and adjunct professor for the School of Education at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, was teaching an Introduction to Education course to undergraduate pre-service teachers this past spring when the university sent out a notice to faculty and students that all face-to-face coursework was being shifted online immediately. “The shift for us to online learning was successful because we spent so much time at the beginning of the semester building trust and a healthy dynamic. Without that initial investment, I can’t imagine that we could have had the same positive experience otherwise.” Heading into the fall, Kiper emphasizes the importance of these connections and encourages other educators to be intentional when embedding opportunities for students to connect with their teachers and other students during times when a physical presence cannot be maintained.

As plans for the fall take shape and educators across the state spend time recharging and preparing for the highly anticipated start of the school year, Kiper reminds us that not all children will be returning in the mindset that they need in order to be academically successful. “The thing at the very forefront of my mind is the difficulties some students may have encountered while they were away, and building the capacity in myself and others to help our students in processing any distress when they return to us in the fall. Besides this, we’re aware that all of our students will need to share due to the COVID 19 closure in the spring. Some of our students will be returning from situations that may not have been as emotionally or physically safe as we would hope for them to be. As educators, we will need to identify students in need and foster an environment that ensures that school is a safe, loving, and supportive place. As I see it, this needs to be our top priority when we return in the fall.”

Across the state of Louisiana, our state’s top educators, as well as new educators, are preparing to open their own classrooms and their hearts this fall. For many of us, this work means taking an introspective look at our own experiences from the past several months and figuring out new strategies and methodologies to maintain a level of effectiveness we grew to expect from ourselves in a traditional setting. Our new teachers will need the guidance to know how to not only navigate their first year but also provide the support our children really need when they return to school. As veteran educators, taking the time to foster a positive mindset and building strong networks with our new teachers will help build a collective confidence we will need to succeed this fall. We’re fortunate to have an incredible cadre of professionals who will be leading this work in the fall. Many of the 2021 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year semifinalists offer insight and some advice to new teachers heading into the 2020-2021 school year. These educators, along with the thousands of experienced educators from around the state, will be working tirelessly this fall alongside hundreds of new teachers to demonstrate how truly innovative, flexible, and adaptable our Louisiana teacher workforce can be.

Advice from the 2021 Louisiana Teacher of the Year Semifinalists:

Tabitha Adams,
Ascension Parish

“Be flexible! We are all navigating new territory and things will change sometimes on a daily basis. Seek out experts in your school for things you need help with! Everyone has their own special gifts!”

Cassie Thompson, Beauregard Parish

“Learn as much as you can about digital learning. Remember, you are a teacher and can adapt to anything at anytime because we are awesome like that. Take care of yourself, love your students, enjoy the best career ever and reach out to me by email or text any time and I mean that! We are all in this together!”

Mallory Cooper,
Bossier Parish

“More than ever we will hear what learning “should” look like as we prepare for the possibility of continued virtual instruction. Take time to research and reflect but remember that you will be the one interacting with the kids – you will know their needs best.”

Jennifer Underwood, Calcasieu Parish

“Prioritize knowing your students. You are now part of their story.”

Shantae Williams,
City of Monroe School District

“This upcoming school year will be challenging, but you must be committed to education. Constantly remind yourself that our children have been out of school since March, and they need you to have more patience, unconditional love, and a strong determination to deliver the curriculum in a way that will prepare our students for the next school.”

Samantha Fielder, Concordia Parish

“Remember that every teacher has been where you are. Never be afraid to ask for help as much as you need. Even the best teachers need help!”

Nakia Graham,
Desoto Parish

“New teachers are future-ready teachers, launching their careers during the digital evolution of education. Use this time as a growth opportunity to enhance your professional knowledge on how to deliver quality technology-based instruction.”

Nathalie Roy,
East Baton Rouge Parish

“The work of today is tomorrow’s history, and we are its makers,” said Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low. And so I ask myself and other teachers, “What history do we pledge to make with our students? Will they remember WHAT we taught them or HOW we taught them?”

Kayla Shirley,
Franklin Parish

“In the midst of the hard work & lessons, remember to laugh with your students, make memories, & celebrate even the smallest of successes. You may have trouble years down the road remembering everyone’s name but they’ll never forget yours & the impact that you had on their lives.”

Jeff Richard,
Grant Parish          

“Be resourceful! It is so easy to put yourself in a bubble and feel like you can’t ask for help because you want to prove that you can do it, either as a personal goal or to meet expectations. The reality is, most good teachers have ‘seen the elephant’ and can tell you if you’re up against a toe or a tusk, so ask for help and soak in that perspective as you take it all in this first year

Erica Bonin,
Iberia Parish

“Focus on building relationships with your students and their families before the school year even begins. Introducing yourself through letters, emails, or phone calls can set the foundation for a positive school year.”

Pamela Sorensson, Lafayette Parish

“This upcoming school year may not resemble the educational parameters that we’ve grown accustomed to but perhaps through open minds, creative efforts, and high standards, this might be the necessary catalyst for positive change in Louisiana’s educational system. Surround yourselves with optimistic teachers who will inspire you to look at your classroom and the needs of your students with fresh eyes.”

 

Trinette Landry Wallace,
Lafourche Parish

 “Start day one by building meaningful relationships with your students.  Students will work hard for someone they know believes in them.  If you believe they will achieve.”

Babylyn Abogado, Madison Parish

“Plan ahead and be prepared” This year is the most challenging year for all of us so it requires a lot of preparation. We need to consider a lot of things especially the welfare of everybody. We educators need to collaborate to make learning possible. Let’s work together! We can do it!

Kate Youngblood,
Orleans Parish

“Give yourself and your students grace! Not everything will go as you thought it would, but there’s so much wonderful growth that comes from those moments of needing to adapt or be flexible.”

Bridget Berry,
Pointe Coupee Parish

“Find teachers on your campus who are encouraging, supportive, and positive. Surround yourself among these teachers. Their positive presence will guide you through your first year’s journey. In time, you will become one of the teachers that others will follow.”

Angelle Bourgeois, St. Charles Parish

“To prepare for the 2020-2021 school year, teachers should take advantage of professional trainings and resources to increase proficiency with online teaching and social-emotional teaching strategies. Flexibility, a positive attitude and a growth mindset are key for success. Embrace each challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. We’re in this together and together, we will achieve excellence for every child, every day!”

Rachelle Morris,
St. James Parish

“Teacher support is critical! Surround yourself with positive teachers and teacher leaders who are committed to supporting each other as you work towards achieving student success. You are all in it together!”

Brenda Owens,
Tensas Parish

“To new teachers preparing to educate students for the 2020-2021 school year, one tip I recommend is that you be open and flexible to the many and different ways of educating all students. The current events and pandemic taking place now, revealed the importance of educators embracing technology and addressing basic human rights for all. Be the change catalyst that helps to prepare and mold the lives of the students you teach.”

Carrie Varino,
Vermilion Parish

“Yes, it’s difficult. Yes, it’s exhausting. Yes, it’s normal to feel that way. It’s worth it. I promise.”

Jessica Deon,
Vernon Parish

“With so many unknowns staring us in the face as we approach the upcoming school year, I take comfort in knowing a new generation of educators will be joining the workforce during such an uncertain time. This year, more than ever before, offers an opportunity to make big changes as we work to modernize our educational system, support our students, and heal our communities. We need your vision, tenacity, and zeal to help realize the changes that must be made to ensure our educational system not only bounces back, but bounces forward in 2020-2021. Welcome!”

Josh Beavers,
Webster Parish

“Admins have their directives and goals. Success as a teacher in this new world can be measured by knowing what has to be done in YOUR class and juggling that with the ideas from local, district, and state admin. No one knows your class. There is no one size fits all. Accept that fact, find balance, make a difference anyway.”

Georgia Freeman,
Zachary Community Schools

“Do what you can this summer before school starts – familiarize yourself with the curriculum/technology/programs, set up your classroom, reach out and meet with teachers you will be teaming with or in your department/grade level, and find some time to relax & rest. Before your first day, take a moment to write your future self a letter that expresses what you are feeling and thinking in terms of your goals, dreams, fears, and anxieties then put it away until the summer of 2021 when you have time to read it again and reflect on your first year.”

 


 

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People of Louisiana – Community (July2020)

 

COMMUNITY

Louisiana Division of the Arts

LOUISIANA ART FIELD SURVEY

 

LOUISIANA ART FIELD SURVEY Impact of COVID-19 on Our Arts Community

In partnership with our state’s nine regional arts councils, the Louisiana Division of the Arts conducted the Louisiana Art Field survey through May 2020 of the initial impact of COVID-19 on our arts community. Following is a brief summary of those results.

EVENTS & SHOWS
77% OF INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS EXPERIENCED CANCELLATIONS
68% OF INDIVIDUAL ARTIST CANCELLATIONS WON’T BE RESCHEDULED, 25% WILL CANCEL 15+ EVENTS & SHOWS

ESTIMATED REVENUE LOSS
ORGANIZATIONS
80% OF RESPONDERS REPORTED LOST OR EXPECTED LOSS OF INCOME, RANGING FROM 10K TO 100K.

ARTISTS
73% OF THE INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS THAT RESPONDED TO THE SURVEY HAVE ALREADY LOST THOUSANDS IN INCOME.
10% OF THE INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS THAT RESPONDED TO THE SURVEY HAVE ALREADY LOST OVER 10K IN INCOME

FINANCIAL CONCERN
THE MAJORITY OF RESPONSES CENTER AROUND FINANCIAL STABILITY, ABILITY TO PAY BILLS, LOAN REPAYMENT, AND LOSS OF INCOME.

A core group of the individual artists represented in this survey are teaching artists who work in a variety of arts education programs. Recognizing the importance of continuing to serve students and their families who have been quarantining at home, a number of the state’s regional arts councils and arts education organizations began digitizing their programs. Not only have they been able to consistently serve these students and their families, but they were also able to continue employment for the teaching artists.

Following are a sample of highlights of what has been provided within our state:

Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge
Recognizing that students are without traditional education routines and camp experiences during the COVID-19 crisis, the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge compiled a list of resources to help students, families, and teachers fill in arts education gaps during this time. These are posted in the Creative Relief page of the www.artsbr.org website. This list is updated periodically as new resources are made available.  The Council hired some of the teaching artists who were contracted to do work in schools or who otherwise found themselves without work in traditional settings to create videos with lesson plans that could be shared.  In addition, these artists were hired to produce “Tutorial Tuesday” videos for the public, which were also showcased during the virtual Ebb & Flow Festival June 27 – July 4, 2020.  This virtual model was extended to camp sessions coordinated through a regional initiative, the Louisiana Summer Camp, which provides free online activities. Kits were also delivered to those interested families who may not have internet access.  The Council is also working with the Pennington Biomedical Center to co-produce healthy living and eating initiatives using artists to relay scientific data and recommendations.  Filmmakers, sound engineers, and theatre tech workers have also been hired to create the digital work used in these productions.   Through social media, the Arts Council promotes and advocates arts education programs of its region’s arts organizations and constituents.

Acadiana Center for the Arts
This year, just one week after schools closed, the Acadiana Center for the Arts took the PACE arts integration program online, with teaching artists creating daily video lessons in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. PACE, which stands for Primary Academic Creative Experiences, places teaching artists is preK through third grade classrooms in Lafayette Parish public schools to provide students with experiences in visual and performing arts through weekly lessons that integrate the arts into the school curriculum.

Staying true to the program, the PACE Online art lessons are integrated into the curriculum in fun and grade-level appropriate activities using simple supplies that most kids have at home. Many different curricular areas were covered, including fractions, landforms, weather, punctuation, habitats, phases of the moon, mythology, sound, the five senses, outer space, life cycles, and art history, just to name a few. These were shared daily via social media, and many elementary schools in the Acadiana area shared them with their students directly. A partnership with a program of United Way called Learn United made it possible to air the videos on the local public access channel, making them even more widely accessible. Over a 12-week period, 180 videos were produced.
They can be found on the AcA’s YouTube channel on the PACE Online playlist: https://bit.ly/AcAPACEOnline. 

PACE Online Art Classes were made possible with support from the Lafayette Parish School System and a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.

KID smART
KID smart blends dance, music, poetry, theatre and visual art with academic subject to make classrooms more joyful and effective places to learn.

When Covid-19 closed schools on March 13th, KID smART was serving students in 16 school sites through arts integrated residencies and after school and enrichment work. These teaching artists immediately pivoted to providing Art Apart online arts lessons (YouTube.com/KIDsmARTNOLA) as well classroom teacher support through planning and teaching in distance learning settings.  KID smART professional development was able to continue through Zoom and the online format enabled more teachers than ever to participate in sessions about building empathy through monologues, deletion poetry, integrating drama in the classroom, and helping students of all abilities access arts learning.  The Board of Directors decided within days of school closures to continue paying our staff and teaching artists through the end of the school year and, once a PPP loan was obtained, through most of the summer months as well. Both the cancellation and postponement of summer camps created a need for quality online resources as well as an employment crisis for many of the artists who normally work in summer camp settings, and through the thoughtful care of the programming team, both were mitigated. Looking to the fall, the team of artists and arts coaches are becoming more fluent in online learning tools, learning about best practices in creating engaging and interactive online lessons, and thinking about how to bring more trauma informed and social emotional wellness practices into classrooms.  Current goals are to bring quality arts integrated lessons to our students and to be a responsive resource to partner schools, no matter what school looks like this year.  

Shreveport Regional Arts Council
The “oh so disappointing” cancellation of the 2020 annual ArtBreak Festival was, perhaps, the major impact of COVID19 on the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.  In 36 years, neither rain, nor high winds nor standardized testing schedules have cancelled or squelched this annual celebration of the achievements of Student Artists in Caddo Parish – and all Northwest Louisiana Schools that include Music, Theatre, and/or Dance, Literary and Visual Arts as part of the basic curriculum. The Shreveport Regional Arts Council took the opportunity to pivot by creating a virtual celebration of the 36 years of ArtBreak to include highlighting each aspect of the Festival:  Musical Performances, the Visual and Literary Exhibition, STEAM Hands-On Learning, the Talent Show, Culinary Art Competition, Film Prize Jr, and more! 
(https://www.artbreaksb.com/abkretro-1 or www.artbreaksb.com). 

 Additionally, with the help from a grant awarded by the Educational Foundation of America, the Arts Council was able to create “ArtBreak@ArtSpace,” providing a 10-week series of daily STEAM Camps created and taught by the ArtBreak Artists.  ArtBreak Artists are teaching at these Daily Camps that are provided with all of the requirements for masks, safe spacing, hand-washing, and sanitizing. Students in nearby Social Service Organization programs are attending the daily camps at no charge.  This is a remarkable Arts in Education moment in the life of the Shreveport Regional Arts Council, Caddo Schools, and the City of Shreveport.

 

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Women’s Health – July 2020

 

Women’s Health

WOMEN'S HEALTH BLOG July 2020

Self-Care Practices

Written by Tracy Reed, PhD., LPC

Summer is a time for individuals, families, and friends to spend together living life to the fullest! Usually, in July, I’d be enjoying a celebration of Black culture and excellence at the Essence Music Festival weekend in New Orleans. The people, the music, the food, the vibration in the city are always electric with heritage and pride! What a time to be ALIVE! Unfortunately, July 2020 has arrived with a very different vibe. Instead of the sparkling days and sizzlin’ nights of summer we love, the COVID-19 global pandemic has drastically impacted our way of life and brought travel and event plans for the season to a screeching halt. Truly unbelievable!

I never imagined the last 3½ months would be filled with fear, pain, loss, and grief due to COVID-19. I also never imagined feeling exhausted from the violent and traumatic experiences of racial and political unrest we see in America and around the world daily.

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As a Black woman, I acknowledge these and other issues have personally impacted my mental health. Like many other women across Louisiana and nationwide, I’ve noticed myself feeling a little more worried, anxious, and restless than usual. A 2020 Keiser Family Foundation poll found nearly half (45%) of adults in the U.S. reported their mental health is negatively impacted due to worry and stress over the virus. Concerns about everything from health & safety to job security and financial stability continually heighten fear and uncertainty about the future. Needless to say, I was looking forward to unwinding and enjoying my summer of relaxation, self-care, and celebration this month.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), I understand the changes I’ve noticed in my mental health during this time are normal and expected, given the stress we are all experiencing as a result of this pandemic. Over the last few months, I’ve realized just how necessary self-care has become to my overall mental health and well-being. Self-care means taking the time to identify your individual needs and unapologetically giving yourself whatever is essential to feel physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. When we ignore self-care, including time for rest, relaxation, and socially-distanced activities we enjoy, it can deplete our confidence and self-esteem and negatively affect our relationships with others as well. Being mindful of your personal self-care needs, especially during times of increased stress, fear, and anxiety, helps you practice showing love and care to yourself. This act of true self-love naturally overflows to others and eventually returns to you!

Try out a few of these self-care practices to help you feel more grounded, connected, and supported in your mental health and well-being throughout our unusual quarantine summer.

  1. TAKE A BREAK FROM TECHNOLOGY.
    Challenge yourself to reduce the amount of news, social media, pop culture, and gaming content you consume daily.
  2. CHANGE IT UP.
    Take up a fun new hobby or research a topic of interest that brings you joy.
  3. SPEND TIME IN NATURE.
    Get outside. Breathe. Allow the elements of nature to calm, soothe, and re-energize your body.
  4. MOVE YOUR BODY.
    Whether exercising, dancing, walking, or simply stretching, movement helps improve both physical and emotional health.
  5. REST & MEDITATE.
    Intentionally create time and space to slow down, do nothing, self-reflect, and get in tune with what you need to physically, mentally, and emotionally.
  6. TALK IT OUT.
    Don’t be afraid to reach out for a healthy, safe, and supportive space to share how you feel and release the anxiety before it gets overwhelming. If you don’t have a positive circle of family or friends to talk to, consider seeking an experienced mental health professional to support your needs.
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Tracy Reed, PhD., LPC.

Dr. Tracy L. Reed, Ph.D., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a former Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC) from Thibodaux, Louisiana.

Dr. Reed graduated from Fisk University, an HBCU in Tennessee, in 2002. She then returned home and earned a master’s degree in Psychological Counseling from Nicholls State University in 2004.

Additionally, Dr. Reed obtained a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Research with a specialization in Student Affairs Administration from LSU in 2015. She currently owns and operates Life Keys Wellness & Consulting Services, LLC, a private mental health counseling practice in Thibodaux, LA, and Louisiana Counseling and Training Consultants, LLC, a group mental health counseling practice in the greater New Orleans area.

Dr. Reed is passionate about helping clients identify personal struggles and work on improving their daily functioning and living their best lives. She has over 20 years of counseling experience assisting at-risk youth, college students, and adults requiring behavioral health support.

Additionally, Dr. Reed has extensive experience counseling justice-involved individuals, including those mandated to counseling by the courts and inmates incarcerated in Nashville, TN, Houma, LA, Jersey City, NJ, and Chicago, IL.

Dr. Tracy’s compassionate, genuine, and direct counseling style has helped countless numbers of individuals reach their personal goals and thrive from within despite challenging circumstances.

Dr. Tracy is currently accepting new clients and available for video counseling sessions for residents in Louisiana. You can reach Dr. Reed for services at:

Louisiana Counseling & Training Consultants, LLC
Gretna, LA 70056
(504) 908-5690
admin@thelatrainers.com

 

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Louisiana Fosters – The Power of Partnership

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Louisiana Fosters

The Power of Partnership

 Foster the Love & Alysson Bourque

The Power of Partnership

“Not everyone can foster or adopt, but everyone can do something.”
This message is at the heart of Foster the Love Louisiana and Louisiana Fosters.

There are nearly 4,000 children in foster care in Louisiana, with only half as many foster homes. Becoming a foster parent is not something that many are called to, but caring for children in foster care is a responsibility we all should carry. For those who call Louisiana home, these children are our children, and we must make sure we give them our best. Though we are not all called to foster or adopt, we each have talents and resources that we can use to “do something” for our children and families in foster care.

Alysson Bourque is a Louisiana native and author of the award-winning children’s book series The Alycat Series. Alysson realized she could use her talents as an author and the resource of her books and following to promote the work being done in our state to serve children and families in foster care. Understanding the existing health risks and the call for citizens to wear masks when possible, Alysson commissioned the production of Alycat children’s masks. She wanted to use the profits of the sale of these masks to make an impact. Wanting to find a way to “do something” for foster care, Alysson Bourque reached out to Louisiana’s First Lady Donna Edwards’ office. Mrs. Edwards’ office directed her to Foster the Love Louisiana, and a beautiful partnership was born!

On June 25th, Foster the Love Louisiana and The Alycat Series co-hosted a Facebook Live fundraising event. During the event, we talked about the challenges of foster care, the need for foster families, and opportunities for community members to get involved. Mrs. Edwards’ participation in our cause by reading The Alycat Series newest book, Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday, was indeed an honor. Alysson used her platform to bring awareness to and raise money for Foster the Love Louisiana.

You can still participate in our fundraiser at http://fosterthelovela.org/alycat. With every donation, you will receive an Alycat mask, and the more you give, the more Alycat and Foster the Love swag you will receive!

Alysson’s partnership with our organization is just one of the many ways we partner with local businesses in serving the foster community. We like to call our community partners Community Collaborators because we work together to impact a community. Just as Alysson partnered with Foster the Love, we need community members and businesses across Louisiana to partner with organizations serving the foster community. Our community organizations play a vital role in serving children in foster care and the families that care for them. Through the power of partnership between community organizations and community members, the most significant impact can be made.

If you are interested in partnering with local organizations serving the foster community, visits the Louisiana Fosters website to find an organization near you.

Looking forward to serving with you,

Heather Duhon
Executive Director
Foster the Love Louisiana

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Visit the Louisiana Fosters Website

 

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Anti-Human Trafficking – Human Trafficking and the Effects of COVID-19

ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING

FREENOLA.ORG

Human Trafficking and the Effects of COVID-19

 
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HUMAN TRAFFICKING
and the Effects of COVID-19

Free NOLA, Inc. exists to bring hope, love, compassion, and restoration to the sexually trafficked and sexually abused, who perhaps, in the eyes of society, don’t deserve it.

During the COVID pandemic, most are just trying to survive. In the case of those in the sex industry, this is a nightmare beyond comprehension. Most (if not all) have issues related to drug/alcohol abuse but add to that another layer of not being able to feed their children, and the problem gets exponentially more vivid! Finally, add another complexity to the mix – the fact that their immune systems are severely compromised. How are they going to survive? How are they going to pay rent, put food on the table, and home-school their children? That’s the reality for many of those trapped in this industry. Even down to the fact that they won’t get unemployment or perhaps even the stipend from the government. What are these precious souls supposed to do? They will do whatever is necessary to survive; after all, they have learned how to survive in a world most of us can’t even imagine.

Free NOLA has been in contact with a few women who are willing to speak with us during this pandemic. Most do not have close friends or family, so they have no contact with anyone familiar to them. As fear gripped the hearts of those in our great nation and our state, one thing was evident; these women have more strength than we can even realize. Taking risks that they would not usually consider, putting themselves in danger that we cannot even imagine, has become their life since mid-March.

Some are so far away from family that they can’t get to them. As stated with one such victim, “I worry daily about my family and if they are okay.” As the shutdown continues, many are “scared” and are “paralyzed” with fear of getting help. For those of us who have family, this isn’t even a concern. We may be shut out from the outside world but have our family near.

Unfortunately, the rise in illicit sex has mainly been through online platforms, the internet, porn sites, dark web, and sites that promote the exploitation of women and children. The rise in those platforms has been over the top!

We will all get through this pandemic; however, for those we serve, let me leave you with this last thought – what would you do to feed your children; that’s the world they live in every. Single. Day.

To help or for more information, contact www.freenola.org

 

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Teach MAM – Arts Ambassador Carolyn Lenora Scalfano

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teach MAM

 

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

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Carolyn Lenora Scalfano Teach MAM Arts Ambassador

Louisiana First Foundation is excited to announce our Teach MAM Arts Ambassador’s selection for the 2020-2021 school year! Carolyn Lenora Scalfano is the Visual Arts teacher at Pineville Elementary in Rapides Parish. She also serves as the school’s representative for the Good Food Project of Central Louisiana, in which the school’s gardens provide fresh produce distributed to Food Bank clients or local non-profits that serve food to the needy.

Carolyn’s passion for aesthetics led her to study architecture at Louisiana State University’s College of Art and Design. After professional insight and mentorship by college faculty, she pursued a degree in studio art. Inspired by the arts community in Lafayette, La, she transferred to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to earn her Bachelor’s of Fine Art with a concentration in painting.

Immediately after graduating from the program at UL, Carolyn worked as an illustrator and landscape designer for LAND Architecture in Lafayette, LA.

As a professional working artist, Carolyn was represented in 2008 by Ariodante Gallery in New Orleans, La. She showcased a solo exhibition and was featured on their website, selling multiple works to buyers nationwide.  In 2010 her paintings were featured in a two-person exhibition, Another Time, at the Acadiana Center for the Arts.  More recently, she participated in the 2019 exhibition, Pace 20: Twenty Years of Teaching Artists, in the Acadiana Center for the Arts’ main gallery with works by the seventy Primary Artistic Creative Experiences (PACE) teaching artists.

As a PACE teaching artist, her role was to design arts integration lessons for students grades PK-3 in the Title 1 Schools of Lafayette Parish. Having spent years collaborating in the classroom, she eventually pursued and received her teaching certification in Elementary Education from Louisiana.  

Currently, Carolyn is Pineville Elementary’s resident Visual Arts Teacher. Her art lessons are individual conversations she has with each of the teachers with whom she works.  They collaborate to design projects that are relevant to the students and integrate art into the other subjects to present the curriculum in a new and exciting way.  

Carolyn is on the Pineville Elementary Lighthouse Team for the Leader in Me, which is rooted in teaching the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Being in charge of the Leadership Environment includes managing the physical look of the school (what people see), the universal language (what people hear), and the emotional environment (what people feel).   This task includes organizing numerous collaborative art installations where all PES members, including faculty, staff, and students alike, create original art pieces to be displayed throughout the campus. The underlying goal is that the students feel ownership of the building by seeing their artwork presented.

Her collaboration with the Good Food Project entails creating organic school gardens in which students do all maintenance.  By working in the garden, the children learn hands-on about how to develop agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient. Carolyn was named teacher of the year at Pineville Elementary School For the year 2018-2019, and also works for the Alexandria museum of art teaching summer camps.

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Blog – July 2020

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JULY 2020
Volume 2, Edition 9

July
2020

Volume 2, Edition 9
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A Word from the
First Lady of Louisiana

July is the month we celebrate the birthday of our country, July 4th. Happy birthday to the USA on your 244th birthday. Two hundred forty-four years seem like a lot of years, but in comparison to many other countries, we are still babies.

So, what are the 10 Oldest Countries in the World?

  1. Ethiopia -Many historians agree that Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world. While we know that human life has existed in Ethiopia for millions of years thanks to skeletal fragments uncovered, it’s generally agreed that Ethiopia developed as a country in 980 BC.
  2. Greece – Dating back to the Ancient Greek era, Greece’s country has remained firmly in the grasp of Grecians for at least 5,000-6,000 years.
  3. Portugal – While it is not as old as Greece or Ethiopia. Portugal has maintained its firm borders for almost a thousand years, making it one of the most identifiable, oldest countries in the world.
  4. Japan – Japan is also a contender as one of the oldest countries in the world. According to the Japanese legend, the first Japanese Emperor, who is said to be the descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu, ascended the throne in 660 BC.
  5. Egypt – As with Greece and the Ancient Greeks, modern-day Egypt is a different territory to that during the Ancient Egyptian era. The area has passed under the Egyptian hand for millennia, and Egyptian culture can date back as far as the 6th millennium BC.
  6. China – China is one of the world’s oldest and most refined civilizations, and its first dynasty, which was the Xia dynasty, is said to have lasted from the years 2070 BC–1600 BC.
  7. San Marino – The tiny country of San Marino (which is known to be one of the smallest countries in Europe) is also one of the oldest countries in the world. The country was officially created in 301 AD by its founder, who was escaping persecution for his Christian beliefs.
  8. Iran – The ancient country of Iran has certainly been around for a while, with historians dating it back to its founding circa 550 BC under the Achaemenid Empire.
  9. India – Indian subcontinent has been populated for around 5,000-6,000 years. Its peoples joined together to form a civilization in roughly 1500 BC when they created the Vedic Civilization, which laid out the foundations of Hinduism.
  10. France – While France isn’t as old as some in this list. It still dates back a long way. Historians loosely date France’s founding to the 5th century AD, when King Clovis’ ascended to the throne.

The USA’s 244 years is not old compared to the list above. The USA is such a young country, and we still have much to learn. I encourage you to google and search for the oldest and youngest countries in the world. You will learn so much about our world and our planet Earth that is so complex so vast, so deep, and filled with approximately 7.8 billion people.  

Yet, COVID-19 has brought this big, wide world together in just a few short months. The virus has connected us in a way that is not so good. But this connection does make us pause and think.  We are all connected in some way. Our actions, both good and bad, cause a reaction all over the world in some instances.

 

When we decide to respond in a positive or useful way to people and situations, we cause a reaction of positiveness.  So on the flip, if we react in a negative or harmful way to people or situations, we create negativeness. It’s that simple. And those actions cause a reaction, a response, an effect.  Stop and think. If we truly desire peace, love, and happiness in our community, our state, country, and the world, it is up to each of us. It’s up to us to work together, to find common ground, to compromise upon the things that will move us in a positive direction as a nation united.

This virus, COVID-19, is the enemy, our enemy. We need to band together and fight this enemy, much like our country has fought in past wars. When we read about World War I and World War II, we hear stories of our people working together and coming together with a common purpose, to defeat the enemy. We learn and understand about patriotism.

I recently read The True Patriot, A Pamphlet, by authors Eric Liu and Nick Hanauer. Below is an excerpt from that book written in the year 2007.

“… It is time to return to true patriotism. What does it mean today to be patriotic? Patriotism means pride. But true patriotism is earned pride: It means appreciating not only what is great about our country but what it takes to create and sustain greatness. It means being proud of how we treat each other, how we plan for the future, how we meet challenges and threats. True patriotism celebrates the hard choices needed to create more opportunity for more people, and the values that guide those choices.”

 “True American patriotism means freedom, with responsibility.

Opportunity, with personal initiative. Purpose, through sacrifice and service.

Community above self. Contribution over consumption.

Stewardship, not exploitation. Leadership by example.

Pragmatism tied to principle—a fair shot for all.

These principles form the core of true patriotism. They are pro-progress, pro-truth, pro-trust, pro-fairness, pro-security, and pro-peace. They are, if anything, the distilled precepts of every great faith tradition in American life.”

This book inspired me to ponder the words and meanings of patriotism.  It also encouraged me to think about my role as an American, as a citizen in this country and my duties as a citizen in the United States of America. Maybe it sounds sappy, but we are called to be better citizens and to do better. To love our country by making life better for those around us and those who come behind us, our children, and the future. Leave it better than you found it, right?

We should be the ones to show our children how to treat others, how to treat our environment, how to respond with compassion to others, our neighbors, love of neighbor. Hate begets hate, and love begets love. So, what kind of energy do you generate? What do you stand up for?

I know what I am for: I am for love of God, love of others, and love of country.  

Happy July, everyone! I pray you stay safe, stay healthy, stay well, and mask up.

Watch CBS Sunday Morning with Eric Liu
on the meaning of patriotism below.
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MASK UP, LOUISIANA!

My mask protects You. Your mask protects Me.
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On July 11, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced a statewide mask mandate for anyone over eight years old. Masks are strongly recommended for children ages 2 to 7. 

The mandate allows for the following exceptions:

  • Anyone who has a medical condition that prevents the wearing of a face covering 
  • Anyone who is consuming a drink or food
  • Anyone who is trying to communicate with a person who is hearing impaired
  • Anyone who is giving a speech for broadcast or to an audience 
  • Anyone temporarily removing his or her face covering for identification purposes
  • Anyone who is a resident of a parish without a high COVID incidence that has opted out of the masking mandate 

Wearing a mask while out in public is a simple gesture that shows we care for our neighbors. My mask protects you, your mask protects me, and together, we can work together to help slow the spread of COVID-19. 

LOUISIANA FIRST FOUNDATION

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

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Blog – July 2020
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GOVERNOR'S MANSION

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

It’s Christmas in July at the Governor’s Mansion Preservation Foundation! Buy any ornament and get 10% off your total purchase in July. Your discount will be automatic at checkout. The 2020 ornament is in stock now. Get ahead of your Christmas shopping! Click the link below and get yours now!

For information or questions about store items, contact Sandy McClelland, Executive Director of the Mansion Foundation at 337-578-4063

VISIT GOVERNOR'S MANSION STORE
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Women’s Health Blog
July 2020

Self-Care Practices
by Tracy L. Reed, PhD., LPC.

Summer is a time for individuals, families, and friends to spend together living life to the fullest! Usually, in July, I’d be enjoying a celebration of Black culture and excellence at the Essence Music Festival weekend in New Orleans. The people, the music, the food, the vibration in the city are always electric with heritage and pride! What a time to be ALIVE! Unfortunately, July 2020 has arrived with a very different vibe. Instead of the sparkling days and sizzlin’ nights of summer we love, the COVID-19 global pandemic has drastically impacted our way of life and brought travel and event plans for the season to a screeching halt. Truly unbelievable!

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PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA Making a Difference

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COMMUNITY

Louisiana Art Field Survey

In partnership with our state’s nine regional arts councils, the Louisiana Division of the Arts conducted the Louisiana Art Field survey through May 2020 of the initial impact of COVID-19 on our arts community. Following is a brief summary of those results.

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SCHOOLS

Spencer Kiper
2019 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year

A Nod to Our Newest Recruits:
Advice for Louisiana’s New Teachers

“What do you remember most about your first year teaching?”

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MILITARY

Project Love
Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs

COVID-19 has affected all Louisianans, and the veterans at the state’s five veterans’ homes are no exception. These heroic men and women are missing interaction with family and friends as visitation remains closed for their safety. They say something good comes from every situation, and in this case, it’s Project LOVE.

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BUSINESS

Lindsey C. Benoit
Owner, About Face of New Orleans

Lindsey Benoit, franchise owner, lead makeup artist, and lash extensionist at About Face of New Orleans, came up with the idea of franchising the makeup and skincare boutique About Face of Mandeville, after increasing medical issues caused her to rethink her career in education.

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CHEF OF THE MONTH

CHEF ERIC COOK

Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted
Season 2

Hungry for some Louisiana Adventure?  

Did you catch Louisiana’s own Chef Eric Cook on season 2 of Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted? Chef Eric proudly exhibits Louisiana’s abundant natural resources by serving up a bold adventure in Ramsay’s global culinary expedition series. In this season, Ramsay Turns Up the Heat and Feasts His Way Through Tasmania, South Africa, Indonesia, Louisiana, Norway, India and Guyana.

 

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Something To Discern

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The First dogs are eagerly
awaiting the garden’s bounty.

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Delery Rice,
Our Editor

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.

After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications, she went on to receive a Masters in Non-Profit Management from Louisiana State University. 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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