APPLAUSE

In March, the Lafayette International Center Foundation, which serves as the Lafayette International Center’s advisory board, announced that the 24th International Achievement Award (IAA) was bestowed upon the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission (LCVC). Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission (LCVC), also known as Lafayette Travel, was created in 1974 to serve as tourism promotion and marketing coordinator for all of Lafayette Parish. The International Achievement Award was created to honor an organization or individual who has made an outstanding contribution to Lafayette’s international image and connections. Established in 1998, the International Achievement Award honors an outstanding individual, company, or organization that has significantly enhanced the international reputation of Lafayette and Acadiana through international commerce, tourism, arts, and music or goodwill ambassadorship.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and the outpouring of community support, the Iberia Mental Health Initiative, Inc., and Heart for Iberia are again partnering to host the 2024 Bayou Side Run/Walk on Saturday, May 4, at Bouligny Plaza in Downtown New Iberia. Their goal is to raise mental health awareness and funding for the work of the Iberia Mental Health

Initiative, which is a nonprofit organization of concerned citizens dedicated to the work of advocating for good mental health for the community. For more information or questions regarding sponsorship or donations, please contact Catherine Wattigny at 337-256-3411, or cfwattigny@aol.com. Participants can register or donate at: RunSignUp.com/Race/LA/NewIberia/BayouSideFamilyFunRun.

In April, the Acadiana Center for the Arts announced the nine recipients of the ArtSpark Award, which is an individual artist funding program. This year, the ArtSpark program expanded with additional support from Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) and with new support from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). A total of $50,000 was available for distribution, doubled from 2023, for the support of artists, musicians and other creative entrepreneurs in the advancement of their careers via project based or professional development opportunities. This year’s recipients are Martha Garner, Nhi Ngo, Anne Bujold, Abigail Waters, Milton Arceneaux, Denise Gallagher, Bryant Benoit, Jessalyn Newton and Yeon Choi.

Early giving is open for nearly 200 nonprofits, churches and schools participating in Community Foundation of Acadiana’s seventh annual SOLA Giving Day, being held on Thursday, May 2. Help organizations you are passionate about meet their fundraising goals by making a tax-deductible donation to their SOLA campaign. You can use the search filters or browse through a list of all registered nonprofit organizations located throughout Acadiana, the Bayou Region and Southwest Louisiana by visiting SOLAGivingDay.org.

In March, South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) and Lafayette Economic Development Authority received a grant of $885,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). This funding aims to establish SkillUP for Economic Resilience, a workforce development training program focusing on in-demand industries at SLCC. This grant will support the partnership between SLCC and LEDA to create the workforce training program focused on the manufacturing, machining and aviation mechanics industries and for the procurement of related training equipment. This project is funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act.

JUST IN

In March, The Monroe marked their official opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony in Downtown Lafayette. These new luxury apartments feature upscale amenities and are located in the heart of Lafayette. Schedule a tour today and enjoy living within walking distance of coffee shops, amazing restaurants, art galleries, retail, community events and more.

In April Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities made possible a photo exhibit “Leprosy the Separating Sickness” developed by the Friends of Carville Historic District. The 19 panel exhibit features the photography of Johnny Harmon a professional photographer and patient in Carville, the hospital which cared for people with Hansen’s disease (leprosy.) The exhibit pictures the humanity and community life of men, women and children living with the condition.

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve at 501 Fisher Road in Lafayette will host the exhibit from April 2 – May 28. Folks visiting the museum will have the opportunity to witness two different communities, the Acadian community and the Carville community, both of which experienced separation.

Congratulations to Korey Champagne of Acadian Slice and Alexis Badon of Magnolia Moon Herbals, winners of One Acadiana’s Small Business Challenge. Downtown Lafayette Unlimited is delighted to extend a warm welcome to Magnolia Pantry as they join the downtown community in the historic Sans Souci building later this year, adding to the growing vibrancy of Vermilion Street and Parc Sans Souci.

In March, Baton Rouge Orthopaedic Clinic (BROC) and Lafayette-based Louisiana

Orthopaedic Specialists, LLC (LOS), announced their intentions to become the founding divisions of a new combined orthopedic group practice – Gulf South Orthopaedic Partners, creating the largest collection of independent orthopedic service providers in Louisiana. The partnership combines the expertise and resources of two esteemed orthopedic practices to enhance patient care and treatment outcomes, accessibility and to preserve and protect the independent practice of Orthopedic Surgery during these dynamic times of consolidation and change. The practice will offer a comprehensive range of orthopedic services including sports medicine, joint replacement, spine surgery, hand surgery, foot and ankle surgery, orthopedic oncology, orthopedic trauma, pediatric orthopedics and rehabilitation.

On March 22, The Iberia Medical Center held a Dedication & Blessing of the Community Food Pantry at Jeanerette Rural Health Clinic, located at 217 Bourg St., in Jeanerette.

In April, Cognitive Connections Clinic held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate its grand opening, offering services to enhance cognitive abilities for children and adults at 1001 Savoy Road in Youngsville. Founded by Yvette Blanchard, the clinic aims to transform cognitive development for Louisianians using the renowned Feuerstein Program by Israeli psychologist Reuven Feuerstein. The Cognitive Connections Clinic team provides tailored interventions to meet the unique needs of each client. The clinic’s services include cognitive assessments, rehabilitation, mediation, coaching, and educational support that empower individuals of all ages to excel in academic, professional and personal pursuits. For more information, visit TheReadingCenters.com.

In April, One Acadiana held its Chamber Luncheon: 55 by 25 Annual Update they reviewed their 55 by 25 educational attainment initiative, which has the goal of increasing the proportion of working-age adults in Acadiana with postsecondary degrees, certificates or other high-value credentials to 55 percent by 2025. During the lunch, 1A and 55 by 25 partners shared how they are working together to meet this goal, the progress made over the past year and congratulated the winners of this year’s 55 by 25 Accelerator Award. More information about 55 by 25 can be found at OneAcadiana.org/55by25.

In April, Miles Perret Cancer Services announced the 2024 Games of Acadiana. The theme for this year’s 5th annual virtual scavenger hunt will be “Passport Party.” This family friendly event will feature more than 75 missions, challenges and activities for all ages to enjoy. Join the fun, May 31 – June 15, to unlock hidden treasures and explore the wonders of the world right from your own backyard. Participants can win prizes including gift cards, tech prizes and a grand prize of $10,000. To participate, players can download a free app, perform fun tasks and earn points for a chance to win. Participation in this event will benefit MPCS and local families fighting cancer. For more information, visit milesperret.org/GOA or call 337-984-1920.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

In January, Cestia Wealth Management named Tom Evans as its newest Investment Adviser Representative. As a financial advisor at Cestia Wealth Management, a financial services firm based in New Iberia, Evans and his team help people pursue life goals through tailored financial solutions. His tenure as a financial advisor rests upon two time-tested core principles that have demonstrated success personally and professionally—practice and repetition. Evans is a native of Dallas, Texas, but has been a resident of Louisiana since 1978 and lives in New Iberia with his wife. Together they have four children and four grandchildren. When he is not enjoying time with his family, Evans nurtures his lifelong passion for the game of golf.