FOR NOW I ASK NO MORE THAN THE JUSTICE OF EATING...

 

ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: HOUMA FOOD BANK

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Good Samaritan Food Bank in Houma continuously serves our local community by providing food, household items and other support to families in crisis.

The hunger problem is less severe locally than it is statewide or nationally, statistics suggest. But a laden table is a still a dream for many people. About 11.8 percent of Terrebonne residents and 10.5 percent of Lafourche residents struggled to put food on the table in 2010, according to a study by Feeding America, a national nonprofit network of food banks. 

To find out how you can help the Food Bank collect items for our community’s hungry, visit their website at www.htdiocese.org/CatholicCharitiesHome/GoodSamaritanFoodBanks or contact them at (985) 851-5523.

TOGETHER WE CAN HEAL THE VIOLENCE...

ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: THE HAVEN

The Haven provides shelter, counseling and other support to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.  Our mission is to empower survivors of family violence to live safe, independent, and violence free lives. 

The Haven believe in empowering women and children to break the cycle of domestic violence through supportive intervention, because they possess the ability to make decisions that foster healthy, violence free relationships.

From January through October 2012, The Haven has answered 879 crisis calls, provided shelter to 195 women and children, held 237 group meetings for women, coordinated more than 506 violence prevention sessions for children and provided 1080 hours of individual counseling.

In addition to providing domestic violence and sexual assault crisis hotlines, The Haven offers several services for endangered women including legal advocacy, parenting classes, group sessions, counseling, and shelter.

To find out how you can help The Haven in their goal of protecting women and children who are most in need, visit their website at www.havenhelps.org or contact them at (985) 872-0757.

THE CLOSEST THING TO BEING CARED FOR IS TO CARE FOR SOMEONE ELSE...

 

ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: MARY BIRD PERKINS CANCER CENTER

In 2008, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center formed a partnership with Terrebonne General Medical Center and Cancer Care Specialists. Each party had one goal in mind: to offer residents of the Bayou Region a comprehensive cancer center, close to home.

Since then, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC has grown and evolved to meet the needs of the community, but its mission has remained the same: to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer. As a comprehensive cancer facility, Mary Bird provides the full continuum of cancer care – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment, recovery and survivorship. The Center’s services include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

The Cancer Center at TGMC offers free cancer screenings, community education and support opportunities for cancer patients throughout the year. Residents of the Bayou Region can also get free cancer screenings though the Early Bird, a mobile medical clinic that helps brings early detection to the uninsured at times and locations that are convenient.

To find out how you can help Habitat in their goal of providing housing to those most in need, visit their website at www.marybird.org/tgmc or contact them at (985) 876-9045.

HOME IS THE NICEST WORD THERE IS...

ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: START CORPORATION

Start Corporation strongly believes in recovery, quality of life, respect, and personal choice for our clients and for everyone.  Start Corporation has successfully established numerous programs to provide supportive housing, case management, social skills training, residential services, a clubhouse, and a Peer to Peer program for persons with low incomes and/or behavioral, physical, or developmental challenges and disabilities.

Mission: The mission of Start Corporation is to promote opportunities, which enhance the self-sufficiency of people who are impaired in their abilities to live and function independently.

Vision: To create a seamless system of care for people with brain disease and other disabilities in a manner that creates community awareness and support.

Start Corps will be collecting items on behalf of The Opportunity Center, a clubhouse for persons working on recovery from severe and persistent mental illness. The center is operated on the philosophy that recovery is an individualized, self-directed journey that involves support and interaction with peers and focuses on personal strengths. The program provides opportunities for psycho-education, social and recreational activities, development and enhancement of coping skills and independent living skills, job opportunities and access to professional staff as needed.

To find out how you can help Start Corp in their goal of providing housing to those in need, visit their website at  www.startcorp.org or contact them at (985) 879-3966.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME...

 

ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: BAYOU-AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

The overwhelming need for housing in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes has provided the Bayou-Area Habitat for Humanity volunteers an amazing opportunity to change lives in our neighborhoods. Cost burden and overcrowding are the most serious problems faced by many residents – Habitat addresses these issues by being one of the only affordable home ownership programs that services families earning less than 50% of income.

Working with volunteers, families, corporations, congregations and donors Habitat is able to address important housing issues throughout Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes, making homeownership possible for low-income, working families. However, Habitat does not give away their houses - they require Habitat families to invest "sweat equity" hours to help build their home and they must each qualify for a 0% interest loan.

Mission Statement: Under the guidance of God, Bayou Area Habitat's mission is to bring together the resources within the community- the businesses, volunteers, churches and the government-to provide decent, affordable housing in partnership with families in need in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes.

Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner/ partner families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build more Habitat houses.

Since 1996, Bayou Area Habitat has built over 100 simple, decent and affordable homes for families in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes.

To find out how you can help Habitat in their goal of providing housing to those most in need, visit their website at  www.bayouhabitat.org or contact them at (985) 447-6999.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS...

 

ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: MACDONELL CHILDREN’S SERVICES

MacDonell Children's Services is a residential home for children whose circumstances leave them in need of a safe, loving and nurturing environment. The agency welcomes boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 17 who are placed in the state's custody due to neglect, abuse and/or abandonment. 

While it is hard for most people to imagine the circumstances where a child would be removed from their natural home, there are times when it is better for the child’s safety and well-being to have the child reside with MacDonell, either until they reach a milestone such as graduation from high school or reach legal adulthood at the age of eighteen.   While no two circumstances are identical, suffice it to say that most children arrive at MacDonell Children’s Home during times when their security, safety and well-being is most at risk.

Above all else, children need a strong foundation upon which they can build their lives as adults. MacDonell ensures that children in their care can count on being physically secure, on being fed in mind, body and spirit, and on being empowered with the hope and optimism needed by everyone to move forward into successful adulthood.

 For more information on this incredible local organization, visit their website at  http://www.macdonellchildren.org or contact them at (985) 868-8362.

HEAD START PROGRAM

ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: HEAD START PROGRAM

The Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government's Head Start Program provides comprehensive services for low-income children and families. These services include high quality early childhood education, nutrition, health, mental health, and social services along with a strong parent involvement component.

Darrel Waire, Terrebonne Director of Housing and Human Services, says “Head Start does more than educate and feed its 3- to 5-year-old students. Head Start workers visit the homes of families to discuss children’s needs and help direct parents to other public services.”^a

For more information on this organization, visit their website at http://www.tpcg.org/view.php?f=Housing_Human_Services or contact them at (985) 580-7273

 

a.     (Ryan, Chance. "Gibson to Lose Head Start Program." Houma Courier 08 June 2013: n. pag. Web. 10 June 2013).

LAND OF THE FREE ... BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE

 

ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: BLUE STAR MOMS

Blue Star Moms is a non-partisan, non-political, non-sectarian, non-discriminatory and non-profit organization. Their mission is to support through service members and their sons and daughters who serve or have served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States of America, United States military personnel who serve or have served honorable and their families, veteran's organizations and causes that will benefit military personnel.

Mission: To continue in the tradition of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.; to answer to the call of families in need, to promote patriotism through education, to bring to the forefront the sacrifices of our military personnel and their families, to promote awareness and foster support of our troops through the sponsorship and participation in community projects, patriotic rallies, parades, veterans' ceremonies, and other events. We are also dedicated to perpetuating the memory of all men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of the freedoms we hold dear and to support their families in times of need. We will continue to express appreciation for true democracy, allegiance to the Government of the United States and the American ideals of freedom, justice, and the equal rights of all.

For more information on this incredible charity, visit their website at bluestarmomsla2.com or contact them at (985) 447-5200.

TO THE EXTREME...

 

ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: HOPE EXTREME

Hope Extreme is a 501(c)3 faith-based, non-profit with a mission to bring radical change to the lives of east Houma's urban youth.  By reaching out and serving at the grassroots level children, youth, and young adults facing the greatest barriers, Hope Extreme is determined to make a difference.  Our goals are being met through Spiritual, Educational, and Community development.

Vision:  From Hope Extreme's humble beginning in November of 2003, we have made great strides in meeting the spiritual, relational, and educational needs of children long neglected by a society who views them as destined for lives of poverty. 

Hope Extreme offers several different programs to at-risk youth. Every Sunday at 3:00pm Hope Extreme holds an interactive children's service for those ages 4 through 12 that are interested in having fun and learning the good news that bring radical change in a God centered atmosphere.

Every Thursday Night at 7:00 youth services are held at the Hope Extreme center that allows students ages thirteen and older to center that allows students ages thirteen and older to hear the "good news" in a relevant and life changing way. 

Every summer Hope Extreme holds a seven week educational program that helps students prepare for their next school year as well as an after school program every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Last year, Hope’s children experienced huge gains, earning the highest number of A’s that they have ever received as well as their lowest number of F’s.

For more information on this amazing charity, visit their website at hopeextreme.org or contact them at (985) 873-3145 | hopeextreme@yahoo.com.

 

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN HOUMA

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”

Charles Dickens

 

  Lighten the burden of others this year by collecting items and donating to a local charity! 
 Click here to see a list of items needed by non-profit agencies and help make a difference in your community by collecting and donating on June 28, 2013 at the Quality Hotel.

 

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. WHAT IS THE DAY OF GIVING?
A. The WBA Day of Giving is a one day opportunity to donate to local charities at the forefront of assisting those most at risk in our region. Volunteers from each charity will be situated in front of the Quality Hotel to collect items and monetary donations for much needed services.

 Q. WHAT NONPROFITS ARE PART OF THE 2013 DAY OF GIVING?
A. The nonprofits are listed, with a brief description and link to their website, on the blog’s sister page - wbadayofgivingorganizations.blogspot.com.

 Q. HOW DO I DONATE?
A. To participate, simply see the organizations’ lists of needed items and start collecting! Drop off your collected items on Friday, June 28 at the Quality Hotel of Houma. Monetary donations will also be accepted during the event.

 

Q. WHEN WILL DONATIONS BE ACCEPTED?
A. From 7:00am to 5:00pm on Friday, June 28, 2013; however, monetary contributions made directly to the agencies at other times are always welcome.

 

Q. WHAT IF I WANT TO DONATE TO MULTIPLE ORGANIZATIONS?
A. If you want your donation to be distributed equally among the different nonprofit agencies, simply let a Day of Giving Volunteer know and they will handle your request. For monetary donations to multiple charities, you can write your check out to WBA of Houma and we will equally distribute your donation amongst the organizations.

 

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE SECOND ANNUAL DAY OF GIVING!!

On the heels of great success in 2012, the Women’s Business Alliance of Houma is proud to announce the second annual Day of Giving on June 28, 2013 from 7:00am to 5:00pm. The Day of Giving, which will take place at the Quality Hotel of Houma, is a celebration to honor the work, love and contribution nonprofit organizations give to the community on a daily basis.
 
Last year, participating nonprofits received a great outpouring of support from the community, with organizations reporting significant increases in the number of contributions and the amounts of money received during the event.

To officially start the second annual event, a brief opening ceremony will be held at 9:00am in front of the Quality Hotel by the hotel’s flagpole. The day will consist of a “drop off” for citizens to bring items that are truly needed by our local volunteer organizations to continue their services. The honorary organizations will be positioned under tents in front of the Quality Hotel with volunteers to accept donations from local community members and to offer more information about their charity.

This year’s honorary organizations include Hope Extreme, The Haven, MacDonell Children’s Services, Bayou-Area Habitat for Humanity, TGMC/Blood Bank, Blue Star Moms, Head Start Program, Start Corps and the Houma Food Bank.

This event is a great opportunity to educate local community members about the importance of giving back and continuing to make a difference in Terrebonne Parish.  Do your part by choosing a charity and collecting items today!