February 2018 - 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:

CLTCC GRANT FUNDING TO BOOST MANUFACTURING TRAINING PROGRAMS IN CENLA
Community college investment result of 'Beyond High School' planning
A $4 million investment to strengthen manufacturing training programs at Central Louisiana Technical Community College is the result of careful, deliberate planning that started in 2008 when The Rapides Foundation began a community discussion around the future workforce of Central Louisiana. 

In December 2017, the Foundation announced it awarded a $2 million matching grant to the Louisiana Community and Technical College System that will be used by CLTCC to establish the Central Louisiana Manufacturing Technology Center in downtown Alexandria and to build and expand its manufacturing programs located on campuses throughout the region. The State of Louisiana matched the Foundation's funding with $2 million.

CDW KICKS OFF SPRING TRAINING ON MARCH 1
Registration is now open for workshops and webinars
Community Development Works, a program of The Rapides Foundation, is offering free, skill-building trainings for Cenla residents and nonprofits. Workshops and webinars begin in March and include a variety of topics including grant writing, budgeting, fund development and marketing.
 
All workshops and webinars are available free of charge. Webinars can be accessed from most devices using the GoToWebinar app. Workshops take place at The Rapides Foundation Building, 1101 Fourth St., Alexandria.
 
The trainings are geared toward nonprofit staff, board members and volunteers, and for people interested in starting a nonprofit. Spring trainings are presented within four topic areas: the Start-Up Series for Nonprofits, the Grant Writing Series, the Marketing Series, and the Financial Management Series, which is presented in partnership with Nonprofit Finance FundĀ®, a leading community development financial institution. Participants are not required to attend all of the workshops in a series. Individuals can customize their learning by choosing the workshops that interest them.
 
To learn more about CDW's training offerings, click the link below or call Community Development Works at 318-443-7880 or toll-free at 800-803-8075.
 
CMAP CANCER SCREENING VAN IS COMING TO YOUR PARISH
See the 2018 schedule, call today to schedule a patient appointment
The CMAP Cancer Screening Project's mobile unit travels to nine Central Louisiana parishes throughout the year for two-day clinics to offer eligible residents free breast, colon and cervical cancer screenings. 
 
Services offered on the van include clinical breast exams, digital mammograms, Pap smears, cervical exams, and FIT colon cancer screening take-home tests. These services are free of charge for Central Louisiana residents who have no medical insurance and who meet the following age requirements: breast and cervical screenings are recommended for women ages 40-64; and colorectal screenings for men and women ages 50-64.
 
Interested residents should contact the Cancer Screening Project to see if they meet income and insurance qualifications. Appointments are required. To request a patient appointment, call 318-767-3027 or toll-free 1-855-767-3027.
 
 
The screening van is a partnership between The Rapides Foundation, CMAP and the Partners in Wellness Program at Feist-Weiller Cancer Center at LSU Health Shreveport. 
CDW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2018 CENLA EXECBUILDERS PROGRAM
Application deadline is Friday, February 23
CDW is seeking participants for Cenla Execbuilders, a leadership development program for Executive Directors of nonprofit organizations in Central Louisiana. The deadline to apply for the 2018 program is Friday, February 23. 

The program is free and open to new or experienced Executive Directors who want to become more effective in their role as leaders of nonprofit organizations. Participants may choose from two learning tracks: Track I for Executive Directors who are seeking only training; and Track II for Executive Directors who are seeking training supplemented with professional coaching support. 

To participate in Cenla Execbuilders, call CDW at 318-443-7880, toll-free at 800-803-8075, or click the link below.


MARCH CHALLENGE CALENDAR AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
Calendar features "March Madness" fitness challenge
Join The Rapides Foundation's Get Healthy Cenla Challenge, a daily challenge designed to encourage people to improve their nutrition and physical activity. Our goal is for everyone to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day, five days a week.

The March Challenge Calendar provides an extra push for you to tackle your healthy lifestyle goals. Whether you're trying to get stronger, lose weight, lower stress in your life, or make healthier food choices, we have a challenge for you. This month's calendar features a special exercise challenge called "March Madness," which provides a list of exercises to do daily and increases the number of repetitions during the month. Depending on your fitness level, you can complete the daily exercises one to three times per day - just go at your own pace and have fun!


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.