Earline Hebert Adams
December 4, 2006
Houma woman nabbed with crack cocaine
December 6, 2006
A non-profit organization in Houma is encouraging other agencies to partner to bring needed programs to the children and families of the Bayou Region.
The Children’s Coalition for the Bayou Region is recognized for serving families and children in the Terrebonne, Lafourche and Assumption parishes. Established in March of 2000, it has more than 150 agencies, represented by 150 individuals. It serves more than 200,000 people in the Tri-parish area.
The coalition holds monthly meetings where local entities come together over a meal to share ideas and identify the gaps in service.
“Through encouragement, assistance and support from the Children Coalition, multiple grants have been awarded to the Tri-parish area,” said Leilani Brunet, the organization’s new executive director.
Officially appointed Dec. 1, the Houma resident addressed the coalition’s Board of Directors and local partnering agencies and organizations. In her “Past, Present & Future” presentation Brunet shared her vision for the local children’s coalition.
Brunet is determined to speak out on behalf of the children. She said the coalition has a strong philosophy stating that every child should be healthy, educated and nurtured.
Board of Directors member Barry Chauvin was present at the coalition’s monthly luncheon on Nov. 29 to announce Brunet’s promotion. He said in September the board went through a grueling process to find a suitable candidate to replace former executive director Carol Millwater.
“We collected applications and conducted interviews and went through the whole selection process. We chose Leilani because she’s the best person for the job,” Chauvin said.
Recognizing that families are sometimes challenged by situations beyond their means, the new executive director said the Children’s Coalition acts as a “warm line” offering suggestions and link to service providing agencies.
“Carol built the foundation for the organization and formed the relationships and programs in the community,” Brunet said. “What the future holds for the coalition is really uncertain, but I am ready and willing to take the challenge.”
One of her biggest concerns is to change the way partnering agencies/organizations view the coalition. “It is not a ‘they’ when it comes to the coalition as a whole it is ‘we,’” she said.
Brunet has worked for the Children’s Coalition for four years as a program director, overseeing alcohol and drug prevention youth programs funded by the Office for Addictive Disorders. She plans to continue to work toward the agency’s mission, “creating an environment that nurtures the body, mind and spirit of children.”
“My solace is in knowing that I am not alone in this new position. I have a wonderful, hardworking staff, a dedicated Board of Directors and a strong alliance of agencies that do an incredible job serving the children and families of the Tri-parish area,” she said. “Our coalition is one to be very proud of and I am both honored and humbled to have been selected to serve them.”
Each month, the coalition selects an agency to spotlight. In November, Hope Extreme representative Tara Lugibihl shared information about her group. Hope Extreme, a non-profit agency, caters to urban at-risk teens from ages 13-18.
“Hope Extreme was established three years ago when the agency held a Thanksgiving dinner for the families on the east side of Houma. Looking at all of the families as a whole, we realize there was a growing need for government assistance,” Lugibihl said.
According to the representative, Hope Extreme started a program to give the children healthy choices to ensure that they know what their futures hold. Right now, the non-profit organization is purchasing a house and a building that will aid the children in east Houma.
“We want to do more education programs including tutoring and mentoring for the teens, showing them what a healthy lifestyle is like,” she said.
Brunet said she has seen the work that goes on at Hope Extreme and that’s why they were spotlighted for their efforts to make the community a better place.
For more information on the Children’s Coalition for the Bayou Region, call Brunet at (985) 872-1880.
