Iberia Parish Foundation, an affiliate of Community Foundation of Acadiana, coordinated a fundraising campaign to secure funding for Leader in Me programs schools throughout Iberia Parish.

Due to the generosity of public and private donors, Daspit Elementary, Jeanerette Elementary, North Street Elementary and St. Charles Elementary schools will continue teaching LiM.

According to Franklin Covey, LiM is an evidence-based, comprehensive school improvement model that empowers students with the leadership and life skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.

Devon Jones, Jeanerette Elementary School principal, said she has seen significant improvement in the behavior of her students since implementing LiM.

“We can really change our community through this one program by teaching them how to be empowered leaders and really taking charge of their own future,” Jones said.

“A Leader in Me program teaches them to be themselves because everyone is a leader,” said Lenette Hawk-Hill, principal of St. Charles Elementary School.

Beau Beaullieu, coordinator of the fundraising effort, wants to empower kids to do what they were born to do. 

“I think as adults we underestimate the potential these children really have,” Beaullieu, a partner of CoSource Financial Group LLC, said. “They should be taught and encouraged how to lead in their own individual way.”

A portion of LiM will be funded with public and private donations from numerous supporters, and the Iberia Parish Foundation. This initiative is made possible with the help of William C. Schumacher Family Fund, United Way of Acadian and UW of Iberia Inc.

Anyone can make an online donation to Iberia Parish Foundation to support Leader In Me programs by visiting www.cfacadiana.org/ipf.

Established in 2007, Iberia Parish Foundation is a nonprofit group that supports arts, education, community development projects and improving the local culture and tourism industry.

Community Foundation of Acadiana is a tax-exempt, donor-centric, entrepreneurial foundation whose core purpose is building legacies and improving communities by connecting generous people to the causes they care about. CFA is the region’s premier philanthropic organization benefiting our region, with a focus Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Mary, St. Martin and Vermilion parishes.