Gardere Initiative Inc

Programs: * unit, neighborhood watch program, i care, hiv/aids awareness * ongoing: developing neighborhood watch program and implementing comprehensive strategies to decrease alcohol, drug and marijuana use * ongoing: after school tutoring and increased collaboration with schools through school assigned volunteers * monitored law enforcement officer chat with residents, a brec program to improve relationships in the community * ongoing: collaboration with sheriff's office to develop gardere cub scouts * ongoing: ebr adult education assessment * ongoing: lunch bunch basketball with community, law enforcement and churches * christmas break activities for youth and christmas in gardere for teens and adults. High school youth volunteers prepared give away bags, books, candy and luminaries; community police unit engaged with kids, helped place candles and escorted carolers; fire department provided truck and santa to energize the community; sheriff substation deputies engaged with all, distributed candy and information while showing great synergy with the residents. * june 6 to july 27: summer program (academics, critical thinking, neighborhood art project, community policing, elementary financial literacy, high school students job training, swim instruction) conducted by community volunteers; camp character for boys conducted by istrouma area boy scout council; camp u. N. I. T. E. D for girls conducted by community volunteers; lsu summer wellness (career, nutrition and health) program conducted by lsu phd students; financial literacy for high school students conducted by jump$tart louisiana; legal institute conducted by baton rouge bar association july-september: monthly stakeholder meetings have included sheriff's office, istrouma area boy scout council, "how to raise good parents," neighborhood watch program, i care, hiv/aids awareness, law enforcement status of the community, parenting and male group facilitator, ebr adult education, brec on the geaux adult fitness program, state juvenile detention alternatives initiative/disproportionate minority contact, louisiana governor commission on law enforcement, east baton rouge detention center, aetna better health of louisiana community development. 2016 january, hispanic and latino community crime and violence awareness program included lawyers and pastors providing education and community members reaching out to offenders to provide mentoring and guidance. The gardere initiative takes a position on violence against latino residents: 1. We are seeking lawyers to explain (in native language) that louisiana does not deport victims and provide a copy of the legal precedents (in native language), if appropriate. 2. We are seeking a group of lawyers to advocate for and/or speak for victims during investigations. 3. We encourage civic, religious and educational community leaders to reinforce the above message and encourage victims to come forward and support victims when their testimony is needed. 4. We encourage civic, religious and educational community leaders to mentor, guide and coach the criminals in changing their behavior and supporting the criminals with alternative behaviors and financially meaningful employment. 5. We seek to mentor, guide and coach all neighborhood youth and preteens in developing positive outlooks and foundations for their future. 6. We are encouraging the latino community to open bank accounts or get debit cards or use some other methods so they don't carry bundles of cash around. If you have been the victim of a robbery or any other unlawful act, feel free to come to our office for guidance about reporting. 2016 january 14 thursday 6pm, town hall on education, st. Jude parish hall to continue the empowerment of gardere residents in assuming responsibility for the safety and development of their community through education and life skills development. The town hall began at 6:10 pm and ended at 7:26 pm. The panel included east baton rouge parish school system superintendent, school board member, principals/staff from magnolia woods elementary, wildwood elementary, highland elementary, glasgow middle school, and westdale middle school. The audience included parents, students, pastors, other school board members, the assistant superintendent, the sheriff and concerned citizens. The town hall began and ended with prayer, the district attorney said a few words, the panel introduced themselves and the superintendent provided opening remarks. The superintendent's remarks included the us presidents visit to baton rouge, the national merit scholars of mckinley high school and acknowledgement that parents are key in the educational process. Discussions included poverty and resource distribution, textbooks, health and disorders, suspension rates, working with community organizations, grade level assignment and standardized testing. 2016 january: i-care bullying class 2016 january - may - baton rouge symphony orchestra concerts 2016 february-april, free income tax preparation and filing for low-to-moderate income, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited english speaking taxpayers provided by capital area united way (cauw) and internal revenue service (irs) volunteer income tax assistance (vita) february 6 saturday 9am - 1pm, resulted in no scheduled appointments, zero returns february 27 saturday 9am - 1pm, resulted in no scheduled appointments, zero returns march 19 saturday 9am - 1pm, resulted in no scheduled appointments, zero returns april 9 saturday 9am - 1pm, resulted in no scheduled appointments, zero returns february 17 and march 11, two income tax returns initiated on myfreetaxes. Com 2016 february 17 wednesday - west african drum program featuring gulf states presenters' network performing artist jerry jenkins, presented by baton rouge symphony orchestra. This program was made possible in part by a local project assistance grant from the arts council of greater baton rouge, funded by the east baton rouge parish mayor-president and metro council. This program was supported by a grant from the louisiana division of the arts, office of cultural development, department of culture, recreation and tourism, in cooperation with the louisiana state arts council, and as administered by the louisiana partnership for the arts. Funding has also been provided by the national endowment for the arts, art works. 2016 march 16 wednesday 7-9pm, notes from discussion on how to serve and protect the latino community; el aposento alto, 1555 seaboard (off gsri) attended by residents, gardere sheriff substation, special community anti-crime team, sheriff victims' services division, crime stoppers, united states attorney, district attorney office, immigration and customs enforcement, baton rouge aids society, la solucion familiar, gardere youth alliance, gardere initiative. Pastor eleazar rodriguez opened with prayer, welcome and remarks. Captain andrew stevens talked about how and when to report crime, that the sheriff department is not here to deport, that his purpose is to develop liaison between communities, to remove not just language barriers but to remove relationship barriers and that he has a good relationship with leaders but wants to strengthen relationships with the people. Sid newman explained the crime stoppers program in detail and emphasized anonymous reporting, anonymous cash rewards, that the program is for you to help you. Reverand a. J. Johnson, baton rouge aids society thanked pastor rodriguez for allowing this meeting and hiv testing; that intentionally infecting others with hiv is a different type of crime that must be eradicated, that there is regular free testing in the community and that there are free condoms up and down gardere lane in various establishments. Sonnee stanley talked about la solucion familiar in spanish. Info@lsflouisiana. Com http://www. Lsflouisiana. Com/services-description;; 225. 364. 2550; 5420 corporate blvd. , ste. 308, baton rouge, la 70808-2548 captain stevens again passionately stated the need to report crime and that his office will send out refrigerator stickers with numbers to call and report crimes. 2016 march - april: catholic charities immigrant youth support group, catholic charities used the gardere initiative meeting space to conduct seven psycho-educational support group sessions provided to four hispanic immigrant children ages 8-11. The group sessions consisted of seven session held on march 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and april 6 and 13, wednesdays, 5:30 to 7:30pm. Children gained knowledge and skills to cope with bullying issues confronted at school and other social settings. Children also gained knowledge about acculturation, self-acceptance and self-esteem. Children were exposed to activities that allowed them to develop friendships and interpersonal skills, while learning to appreciate new cultures. Nine children were initially contacted; seven were confirmed and four actually attended. 2016 april 15 friday 1012-1130, meeting with

gardere initiative 2017 accomplishments * celebrated mlk day with gardere community christian school * partnered with brec for adult physical fitness program * continued first mondays with moms * began semi-annual meetings with property owners towards developing relationship to work toward common goals * nominated by family roads for community relations award * continued after school tutoring program with classroom teachers. * held ebr spring break for 3 days in april and introduced to jon odenwald who became an integral partner of the gyc * completed 8-week summer program with swim classes a * gyc continued to meet monthly with different format (small group rotations) * partnered with sportquest * children visited knock knock museum * hosted the 12th annual back to school extravaganza * collaborated with frontyard bikes to host the first "celebration of supporters" at mckinley alumni center * fully developed board of directors * brec broke ground for the hartley-vey renovation * held three quarterly prayer walks * hosted the 12th annual love fest * continued christmas caroling throughout the community.