Creating a Vibrant and Diverse Coastal Community Where All Can Thrive! | | We're all Smiles this Summer for Rebuild the Bayou | | Welcome Home, Michael, Makayla and Amiracle! | | |
Before Bayou Community Foundation’s 5th Rebuild the Bayou season nears its end this summer, we celebrated a very special home dedication for Michael and his two daughters on June 4.
Their new storm-fortified home in downtown Houma was built by our generous volunteers from Christian Aid Ministries and local tradesmen in only two months, and is the 58th New Build Completed in our Rebuild the Bayou program since our program began in Dulac following Hurricane Ida.
Michael grew up with his grandmother in the family’s previous home on this site. That home was severely damaged in Hurricanes Ida and Francine, leaving them with a collapsed and leaking roof, shifted foundation and only one livable bedroom. But with limited resources and no opportunity for traditional housing recovery programs, Michael and his daughters made do with what they could, until they reached out to our Rebuild the Bayou program.
| | Within two months, the family had temporary housing, the damaged home was demolished and construction began, culminating in the beautiful homecoming celebration June 4. And to top it all off, our partners at American Red Cross funded furniture, appliances and household essentials to make this new house a home! | | Helping Hands for Mr. Jerome's Helping Heart | | Elevator Gives Freedom and Safety for Sylvasia! | | | | |
Through our Rebuild the Bayou journey, we have seen first-hand the challenges that our older adults and neighbors with disabilities face while living in elevated homes. Stairs can be debilitating! That’s why Bayou Community Foundation has begun to incorporate elevators and ramps into our housing recovery program.
Two years ago, we welcomed the joyful Mrs. Sylvasia home to her new “Cajun Cottage” in Cut Off built as part of our ongoing Hurricane Ida and Hurricane Francine housing recovery work.
| | Suffering from arthritis and other physical challenges, however, she required assistance to go up and down her tall staircase which often kept her trapped inside. But no longer! This week, we christened a new elevator at her home installed as part of Rebuild the Bayou to lift her safely from her doorstep to the ground and back. And she and her loyal friend, “Pretty Girl,” are so grateful. | | "Tour of Homes" with Our Partners at LISC | | |
Kristyna Jones, representing funding partner Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), recently joined us on a “tour of homes” in Houma and Thibodaux, seeing homes repaired and built through a generous grant from the LISC Southern Rural Housing Initiative supporting Rebuild the Bayou.
But the completed home repairs and beautiful new home under construction were just the beginning. Introducing Kristyna to clients like delightful Mrs. Doris in Thibodaux (pictured right) was truly the heart of the visit!
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Thanks to All Generous 2026 Rebuild the Bayou Funding Partners
Who Make These New Beginnings Possible
| | ANCHOR the Bayou Strategic Plan: Building Resilience in Southern Lafourche and Terrebonne | | |
The ANCHOR Strategic Plan is designed as a resource for any organization, agency, nonprofit, funder or community leader and is intended to guide action, inform decision-making, and support collaboration across sectors.
It serves as both a roadmap and a call to action—equipping partners with the insights and evidence needed to invest in solutions that reflect the strengths, needs, and long-term vision of our precious coastal communities.
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As the implementation phase of ANCHOR moves forward, the Strategic Plan is being used by the ANCHOR Leadership Cohort to identify and prioritize pilot projects to address community-identified needs and priorities.
These projects will help advance the goals outlined in the plan and build long-term resilience across the region.
| | BCF Program Manager Presents ANCHOR the Bayou at Coastal Resilience Center's Partner Workshop | | |
Program Manager Elizabeth Daigle presented BCF’s ANCHOR the Bayou project at The Water Institute Community Resilience Center’s partner workshop in June. It was a great opportunity to connect with organizations across the Gulf and learn about other resilience initiatives underway.
At the end of her presentation, Elizabeth was gifted with an artist-drawn poster illustrating the project’s work!
We are incredibly thankful for this tremendously valuable
partnership with The Water Institute's Community Resilience Center!
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BayouHelp.org Arrives in Mailboxes Across
the Bayou Region
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On June 10, BayouHelp.org postcards began arriving in home mailboxes across Lafourche, Terrebonne and Grand Isle, promoting our free, easy-to-use online resource directory designed to connect individuals and families with local services and support.
Whether you are looking for food assistance, housing resources, behavioral health services, counseling or other community resources, BayouHelp.org makes it easy to find reliable, up-to-date help close to home.
| | | BCF's Annual Nonprofit Conference is October 8! | | | | |
Mark your calendars for BCF's 2026 Nonprofit Conference on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Fletcher Technical Community College.
This year's theme, "LEAD, GROW, INSPIRE!" will bring together nonprofit professionals, board members, volunteers and community leaders for a day of learning, collaboration and inspiration.
Stay tuned for speaker announcements, session details, registration information and more!
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BCF's Working Group on Hunger
Prepares for Hurricane Season
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On June 4, representatives from food banks, pantries, nonprofits, churches and partner agencies gathered at Beacon Light BC of Houma for Bayou Community Foundation's Working Group on Hunger meeting to share resources, strengthen partnerships and coordinate efforts to serve our communities.
This month's meeting featured valuable updates and training from USDA representatives who provided guidance on current food distribution guidelines and best practices. Participants also took part in our annual Food Distribution Partner Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Planning session. Led by local hunger relief and disaster response leaders, the discussion focused on how organizations can work together before, during and after an emergency to ensure food and other resources reach those who need them most.
To learn more about Bayou Community Foundation's Working Group on Hunger, contact Community Impact Officer Kati Lee at 985-219-0048 or Kati@BayouCF.org.
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Stay Up-to-Date on all BCF news by following us on social media and
viewing our NEW BCF EVENT CALENDAR.
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