Creating a Vibrant and Diverse Coastal Community Where All Can Thrive!

May 19, 2025

BCF Celebrates Major Home Restorations in

Houma, Raceland, Gray, and Dulac

Thanks to our amazing rebuilding volunteers from Christian Aid Ministries (CAM) and the generosity of many compassionate donors, Bayou Community Foundation's Rebuild the Bayou housing recovery program has completed 36 major home restorations and repairs for Hurricanes Ida and Francine survivors throughout Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes so far this year. In addition, we have one new build that will be completed in Thibodaux next week!

We are excited to introduce you to just a few of these gracious residents who allowed us and CAM volunteers into their homes this spring, rebuilding lives and our community. Our hearts are forever touched by the kindness of all volunteers, partners, donors and homeowners who have made this innovative and unique housing recovery program so impactful. And our work continues! THANK YOU!

Mrs. Evelyn's Answered Prayer

In March, our volunteer partners from Christian Aid Ministries completed Bayou Community Foundation’s FIRST total home restoration in Gray, LA, through our Rebuild the Bayou housing recovery program for Mrs. Evelyn.

For years, Mrs. Evelyn had poured her heart into creating a space where her children and grandchildren could gather and make memories, but when Hurricane Ida struck the home was left virtually unlivable. While devastated, Mrs. Evelyn never gave up on rebuilding her home.

Thanks to the incredible efforts of dedicated BCF and CAM volunteers, and the tremendous generosity of our donors, Evelyn’s prayers have been answered.

Mrs. Lena's Home and Hope Restored

BCF returned to Dulac where our Rebuild the Bayou Housing Recovery Program began over three years ago to celebrate the total restoration of Mrs. Lena’s home along scenic Grand Caillou.

Built by Mrs. Lena's late husband over 65 years ago, this home held a lifetime of love and memories. When Hurricane Ida left it severely damaged, Mrs. Lena was forced into temporary shelter, but her heart never left the place she had raised her family.

Thanks to BCF's partnership with Christian Aid Ministries and their dedicated volunteers, Mrs. Lena is finally home again. It was an incredible day—one filled with all the love and resilience that defines our precious bayou community.

Mrs. Patrice's Family Legacy Will Live On

For over 100 years, Patrice’s family has called this house in Houma their home — a place filled with memories, laughter, and love. When Hurricane Ida struck, the damage was devastating, but Patrice never gave up hope.



With the dedication and talent of BCF's volunteer partners at Christian Aid Ministries and the generosity of our donors, Patrice's family’s legacy lives on.

Mr. Allen's Home and Life are Whole Again

Three years ago, Hurricane Ida left Mr. Allen's Raceland home uninhabitable, but now, thanks to the compassion and talents of BCF volunteer building partners Christian Aid Ministries of Ohio who completed major storm repairs, Mr. Allen's home and his life are whole again.

Mrs. Geraldine's Home and Family Get a Fresh Start

For over 50 years, Mrs. Geraldine's house in East Houma has been the heart of her family—a place of love, care, and generations of memories. Severely damaged by Hurricane Ida, her home is now whole again thanks to BCF's amazing volunteer home repair partners from Christian Aid Ministries and the generosity of our compassionate donors.

This Ramp Means Freedom for Mrs. Debra

Hurricane Ida severely damaged her home on Shrimpers Row in Dulac, then a horrific injury in its aftermath left Mrs. Debra confined to a wheelchair with no way to safely leave her house even in an emergency. That's when Rebuild the Bayou and the Christian Aid Ministries team came in to repair her home and built a life-saving ramp for her, enabling this mom and grandmother to live a full life again.

2025 Funding Champions

THANK YOU to our generous and compassionate donors who have helped BCF bring local residents like these back home after Hurricanes Ida and Francine with their gifts supporting our Rebuild the Bayou program!

Assurant Foundation

Callais Family Fund

Capital One

Dick J. Guidry Family Fund at GNOF

H&R Danos Family Fund

Louisiana Charities Trust

Ray & Kay Eckstein Charitable Trust

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

The Peltier Foundation

And many other generous individual donors to the Bayou Recovery Fund!

Together, We are Rebuilding Homes, Lives and Our Community.

Good Grows Here

www.BayouCF.org

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