Feature
November
18
Junior Auxiliary of Houma
by Mary Downer
The 2010 Provisional Class of Junior Auxiliary of Houma chose to assist a well deserving local advocacy center as their class project. The ladies assisted the Terrebonne Parish Children’s Advocacy Center in their move to a new location by painting and decorating the entrance, waiting room and the private interview room.
The Advocacy Center is a non-profit agency set in place by District Attorney Joe Waitz, Jr. to aid in the community’s problem with child abuse. The office is a child-friendly place where children are interviewed regarding their reports of abuse.
Cases of sexual and severe physical abuse to children are referred to the center. All necessary persons and agencies are present so the child does not have to repeat the story a number of times and proceedings are taped to help keep children out of a crowded courtroom. This year 101 new interviews have been conducted and the information was used in the prosecution of the accused.
The J.A. Provisional Class dedicated an entire day to cleaning the new offices and painting a new, fresh coat of warm, soothing color to the stark white walls. They collected books and toys that would make the children feel comfortable during a very difficult time. Bent Pages, a local bookstore, donated books and Brushworks Academy, a local art school, donated art supplies for the children. Lowe’s donated the paint and supplies. The icing on the cake was a donation by local artist Hans Geist who contributed his talent and time by painting a beach mural on the main waiting room wall.
Executive Director Bernadette Robinet Pickett, Asst. D.A., said in a thank you letter to the J.A. chapter, “Having limited resources available to us, you have made it possible for us to properly furnish and decorate a building, turning it into an Advocacy Center.”
This group of ladies has successfully completed six months of training as well as attended meetings and participated in community projects. J.A. of Houma welcomes its incoming provisional class for the 2010-2011 year and looks forward to serving the community through volunteering their time together.
Congratulations and welcome to Alisha Giroir, Kassie Hargis, Jessica Leonard, Rahme Siwady, Tammy Songy, Diane Toups, Melanie Toups, Chantel Townsend and Candice Voisin.
J.A. of Houma was chartered by a group of caring, enthusiastic women in 1973 and continues to grow and thrive. Volunteers work tirelessly throughout the year on a variety of projects that focus on local children and families in need of assistance.
The local chapter is a part of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, a non-profit organization founded in 1941. N.A.J.A. has more than 13,500 active, associate and life members in 101 chapters in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas.
The national focus of Junior Auxiliary is “Healthy Children, Healthy Futures” and the J.A. of Houma chapter is working harder than ever to increase awareness of child health and welfare and how it affects their futures.
