March 2016 - In This Issue:
WORKING TOGETHER FOR HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES.
Since its creation in 1994, The Rapides Foundation has sought to improve the health status of Central Louisiana by developing initiatives and strategies intended to impact our community for decades to come.  We invite you to learn more about our work by visiting our website.

The Rapides Foundation focuses its work in three strategic areas:

Healthy People, to improve access to healthcare and promote healthy behaviors.

Education, to increase the level of educational attainment and achievement as the primary path to improved economic, social and health status.

Healthy Communities, to improve economic opportunity and family income, and enhance civic and community opportunities for more effective leaders and organizations.

Contact Us

The Rapides Foundation
1101 Fourth Street, Suite 300
Alexandria, Louisiana 71301
318-443-3394 or 800-994-3394

Visit our website:

THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION NAMED AS PARTNER IN NATIONAL NETWORK
100Kin10 network aims to grow STEM teaching force.
The Orchard Foundation has been selected as a partner in 100Kin10, a national network coordinating and accelerating efforts to bring 100,000 new science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teachers into schools by 2021. 

Orchard was one of 49 new partner organizations accepted into 100Kin10 in February 2016. Orchard joins over 280 of the country's top businesses, nonprofits, foundations and academic institutions working toward this common goal. 

The Orchard Foundation is a local education fund established by The Rapides Foundation to work with school districts, businesses and communities to improve educational opportunities in Central Louisiana.  
CENTRAL LOUISIANA SCHOOLS PARTICIPATE IN KICK BUTTS DAY
Activities mobilize students to raise awareness about the problems of tobacco use.
Students from throughout Central Louisiana held activities to recognize Kick Butts Day, a nationally recognized day that empowers young people to stand out, speak up and take control against Big Tobacco. 

These student-led, high impact events are held with Healthy Behaviors School Partnership Grant funding provided under The Rapides Foundation's Healthy Behaviors Initiative, and provide Cenla students the opportunity to join the national day of activism presented by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
MARCH IS COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 
Screenings can detect colorectal cancer early, when treatable.
CMAP Cancer Screening Logo
In observance of Colon Cancer Awareness Month in March, the Foundation is urging Central Louisiana residents to talk to their doctors about colon cancer screenings.
 
The Rapides Foundation's Healthcare Access Initiative includes a Cancer Screening Project, which recognizes the vital importance of early screening for certain types of cancer. The Cancer Screening Project, administered by CMAP, provides residents who meet income and insurance eligibility guidelines with free take-home colon cancer screenings.

Joe Rosier

Mission
The mission of The Rapides Foundation is to improve the health status of Central Louisiana. 

Vision
Our vision is to positively impact Central Louisiana by deploying resources to improve key factors of health status.