As we gear up for the warmer months ahead, I’m excited to share some fantastic news regarding our 24 Hour Citizen Project ––especially for our furry pals and their humans. With the green light from the city, we are now setting our sights on getting these stations up and running just in time for the peak of summer. Imagine strolling through our vibrant downtown area, knowing that convenient and accessible waste stations are at your service whenever your furry companions need to answer nature’s call.
These strategically placed stations are designed to provide convenient and accessible locations for pet owners to dispose of waste responsibly. Each station will be equipped with waste bags, a disposal bin, and informative signage, making it easier than ever for pet owners to clean up after their pets while enjoying the heart of our city. By promoting responsible pet ownership, we aim to foster a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone to enjoy.
As we eagerly await the installation of these pet waste stations, I invite you all to continue spreading the word and championing responsible pet ownership in our downtown area. Thank YOU –– our amazing community –– for your unwavering support and enthusiasm. I can’t wait to see you all out there with your furry friends by your side!
Warmest regards, Gabrielle Keaton of Team Fais Doo Doo
Hello again everyone! We have exciting news from the Abby’s Acre team. We have completed all the kits and have started distributing them! We have given our first one to a gulf war era veteran here in Freetown! We have 4 more scheduled this week to 2 post 9/11 army vets and 2 Vietnam vets. We are also talking to the HERO program in Opelousas to receive several kits after we have given the initial 15 to put on their campus.
We have had our share of difficulties throughout this process. We had 3 different rebuilds after having some issues with our initial designs, as well as finding it difficult to find veterans who are interested in this program. Through our growing network of veterans we have had a recent spike in interest. One of the biggest challenges is coordinating installation of the garden and the boxes. Fortunately we have several volunteers available to help me install these!
The biggest change to our design is the change from a wooden vermicomposter to a plastic one. We had continuing issues with the wooden boxes leaking even with plastic liners. Although its not the most eco friendly option. We feel that the ease and convenience will encourage people to continue using it.
We are excited to grow this program over the summer and offer these kits all over Acadiana! Thanks again for your continued support. We’ll be tagging you our upcoming B6 posts!
We are very excited to report that six (6) Northside High School students will receive a $350 GPS Scholarship to be given directly to their post-secondary school of choice to assist with books and/or fees.
The GPS team worked closely with Ms. Jessica Grogan’s senior students at Northside High over a period of five months (January to May) to help them prepare for the March ACT exam given at school, assist with completing FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and complete the application process to their schools of choice. We also conducted a financial literacy workshop with seniors to discuss the true cost of adulting. Students learned about life insurance, rent vs. mortgage, credit management, budgeting daily expenses, and correlated these costs to their earning potential in their careers of choice.
The following Northside students completed all GPS requirements and have been selected to receive GPS Scholarships. These students were recognized during Senior Awards Night on May 15th:
Shamiya Morrison – University of Louisiana Lafayette
Mac’Kinze Williams – Unitech Training Academy
Amari Williams – Infinity College Deneyah Celestine – Infinity College
Bakari Thomas – South Louisiana Community College India Antoine – South Louisiana Community College
Unitech Training Academy under the leadership of Noah Brandon also awarded FULL Scholarships to Arquetta Celestine and Mac’Kinze Williams for their interest and commitment to continuing their educational journey at Unitech Training Academy. These young ladies were also recognized during Northside High School’s Senior Awards Night.
Our next steps for GPS Project include walking these students through completing the enrollment process for their schools of choice to ensure they have a smooth transition from high school to post-secondary education.
Our pitch for the GPS Project focuses primarily on graduating Seniors. Our experience during these few months highlights the dire need to begin walking alongside students much sooner than senior year to ensure they are in the best position to have options and make informed decisions about their future. Ms. Grogan and Mr. Darby, Northside High’s senior counselor have done a wonderful job exposing students to options that are available to them. While working with students, we learned that many simply did not follow through with applications or became stagnant when ran into an obstacle or a question they did not know the answer to. Many students would benefit from developing executive functioning skills and communication skills needed to navigate through some of these processes.
Our goal is to continue working alongside Ms. Grogan and Mr. Darby next school year to offer more hands-on assistance with students and hopefully begin working with 9th -11th grade students as well.
We are elated about the progress we are making with our community sound recordings. We are still busy gathering stories and have heard from some very interesting individuals. Our latest project and perhaps most ambitious, is that of 103 year old WW2 veteran, Major Fannie McClendon who grew up right here in Lafayette. She is the last surviving member from Louisiana of the All Black, female WW2 troupe, the 6888 Army Postal Battalion. We are taking our sound lab on the road to get her story. As we near Memorial day and celebrate Lafayette’s 200th birthday, it is amazing to think she lived more than half of that time and risked her life to protect us. We are continually surprised by the hidden gems in our community! We can’t wait to share these stories with you!
Dear Community, We are thrilled to announce that Healthy Acadiana’s Seed Library has officially launched, and the response has been incredible! We are delighted to witness the enthusiasm and participation of our community members as they embrace the opportunity to borrow seeds, replenish our collection, and begin their gardening adventures.
Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a novice just starting out, the Seed Library is here to support you. Our diverse selection of seeds is available for “borrowing”, allowing you to cultivate a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and pollinator-friendly plants. We are thrilled to witness the abundance of green thumbs within our community, and we encourage everyone to visit the library and explore the incredible array of seeds available.
We are excited to announce that our seed inventory is continuously replenished, ensuring that there will always be options for you to select from. As you sow your borrowed seeds and your plants begin to flourish, we kindly ask that you consider saving a portion of the harvested seeds to replenish our library. By doing so, you actively contribute to the sustainability and growth of our seed collection, enabling future gardeners to embark on their own fruitful journeys.
In addition to providing access to high-quality seeds, we are delighted to share that we are about to launch an engaging lineup of programming at the Seed Library. These programs will be centered around gardening techniques, seed saving, and cultivating a thriving garden ecosystem. Whether you are interested in learning about organic gardening practices, discovering the art of seed saving, or exploring innovative ways to enhance pollinator habitats, our program offerings will cater to all gardening enthusiasts.
Stay tuned for our upcoming program announcements, as we can’t wait to offer a wealth of educational resources, workshops, and hands-on experiences to further deepen your gardening knowledge and skills.
We are immensely grateful for your support and enthusiasm as we cultivate a vibrant gardening community in Acadiana. The Seed Library is not just about growing food, but it’s also about building connections, sharing knowledge, and nurturing a sustainable future for all.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas for our Seed Library, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We value your feedback and are committed to continuously improving and expanding our offerings based on your needs and interests. Thank you for being part of this exciting journey. Together, let’s sow the seeds of a greener, healthier, and more connected Acadiana!
