2005 Annual Report

When Disaster Strikes

When a disaster strikes, city and parish officials coordinate the clean up and restoration of utilities. After Hurricane Rita, Family & Youth began coordinating the human services under the name Human Services Response Initiative, now the Human Services Response Institute (HSRI), to help those most affected by the storm.

The Family Foundation provided needed financial resources to begin a case management program under HSRI to coordinate a network of human service providers who address the changing needs of people and families in crisis. Case managers of HSRI refer people needing assistance to the appropriate resources. This process has strengthened the capacity of the existing human service infrastructure.

The HSRI case managers have provided assistance to many, many people in Southwest Louisiana affected by both Rita and Katrina. For example, a family who evacuated New Orleans lost the home they rented in Lake Charles during Hurricane Rita. When they came to HSRI six of them were living in a van. The father was employed part-time. Their needs included medical care, food, and shelter. The case manager referred them to the available resources. Using those resources the family found a home to rent and got the medical care they needed. The eldest son graduated from high school and is participating in a job training program, and the father is working more hours generating more income for his family. Some families needed help paying their electric bill or rent after getting behind. In the rush to evacuate, disabled persons left behind wheel chairs and other necessary medical equipment, which was consequently ruined by the storm, HSRI is helping to replace it. Case managers have helped many people find employment, health care, mental health care, and child care. HSRI case managers work with families for 4 months with the goal of the family becoming self-sufficient.

HSRI serves as the long term recovery organization and established a case management process and structure for the systematic, coordinated, and effective delivery of human services to support community recovery one family at a time.

Give to the Family Foundation SWLA

Please remember that your needed tax-deductible contribution supports the programs and services of Family & Youth. A contribution may be made anonymously, and an endowment may be unrestricted, designated or donor-advised funds to benefit your favorite program of Family & Youth.

Endowment Funds: You may establish and endow separate fund accounts with the Family Foundation for a minimum pledge of $10,000, and upon receipt of the first $1,000 contribution. You may name the fund after yourself, a family member, foundation, business or organization. Distribution of income from the gift will be made to Family & Youth soon after the minimum goal for the endowment is reached.

How do I give? A gift of assets, such as cash or appreciated securities (publicly traded or privately held stocks, mutual funds and bonds), can be used to establish a fund. Current giving may also include Charitable Lead Trusts. During your lifetime you can see the impact of your generosity and receive significant tax benefits. The programs and services of Family & Youth can be supported through the establishment of a Society during your life and in perpetuity. Many of our donors regularly add money to the funds they have established. Please consult with your tax advisor to see how giving to the Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana may benefit you.

Investing in Families

The Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana was established in 2000 to serve as the philanthropic arm of Family & Youth, a family service agency established in 1970. Currently, Family & Youth serves thousands of individuals and families in Southwest Louisiana through its seven programs and several initiatives.

In addition to connecting donors to the priorities that enhance the quality of family and community life, the Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana recognized the need to engage in activities to:

  • Promote philanthropy in Southwest Louisiana

  • Promote standards for excellence in the nonprofit sector

  • Promote mission based advocacy resulting in civic engagement

Our primary goal remains to be the development of an endowment to perpetuate the programs and services of Family and Youth. We believe that investing in families secures the future of our communities. Through the power of giving, family and community dreams are positively affected.

Phil Earhart, Chair

Julio Galan, CEO

L’auberge du Lac Gala Benefits Children, Youth and Families

Kerry Andersen, Manager of Community and Public Relations at L’Auberge du Lac, present a check in the amount of $45,125.00 to Andrew Vanchiere, Trustee and Julio Galan, CEO of the Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana. The money was raised at the L’auberge grand opening gala to benefit children, youth and families in Southwest Louisiana through Family & Youth programs and services.

Dr. Carlos Choucino and family present their gift to Julio Galan, CEO of Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana.

 

 

 

Philanthropy Day

Philanthropy is the act of individual citizens contributing money or goods, along with their time and skills, to promote the well being of others and the betterment of the community in which they live and work.

Philanthropy Day, hosted by the Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, is an opportunity for nonprofit organizations to honor the people who mean so much to them throughout the year. Nominations can be made anytime during the year. Find a nomination form online at www.fyca.org, or by calling 337-436-9533.

2005 Philanthropists

Faye Barnhart, nominated by Calcasieu Women’s Shelter

Frances Harless, nominated by Camp Fire USA SWLA

Evangeline Ordinario, nominated by Family & Youth

Shady Patton, nominated by United Way of SWLA

Ted Shelton, nominated by American Red Cross SWLA

Peter Goldberg, Alliance for Children and Families; Ted Shelton; Evangeline Ordinario; Faye Barnhart; Shady Patton; Frances Harless; and Andrew Vanchiere, chair of FFSWLA.

Foundation Sponsors Conference

The Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana sponsored the Connections Count! Family Focus Professional Development Conference in March. The speakers included Dr. Sherece West, Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation; Julia Beatty, Twenty-First Century Foundation; Allison L. Turkel, Senior Attorney and Chief of Training for the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse; Suzy Sonnier, Tulane University School of Medicine; Jean Valliere, LSU Health Sciences Center; Dr. William Eddie Parish, Parish Hermitage, Inc.; James D. Cain, Jr., Loftin, Cain, Gabb & LeBlanc; Terri Theaux, The Psychology Clinic; and Toby Aguillard, Attorney General’s office. Other conference sponsors included Children’s Justice Act, Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund, LANO, L’Auberge du Lac, Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, and the United Way of Southwest Louisiana. Conference attendance was 191, and 44 attended on scholarships.

Foundation’s Assets

Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana is steadily growing. The chart below illustrates the growth over the last six years.

For more information e-mail Julio Galan, or call 337-436-9533.