The Orchard Foundation is holding information sessions for interested applicants to learn more about the Central Louisiana Instructional Partnership, a paid teacher residency program that develops middle school math and science teachers for high-needs schools in Central Louisiana. 

Anyone interested in learning more about the program is invited to attend an information session on February 3 or March 2. Both sessions will be from 6-7 p.m. on the Mezzanine Floor of The Rapides Foundation Building, 1101 Fourth Street, Alexandria. Registration is requested. 

These informal settings will allow people to learn the details about the program and to ask questions. CLIP Field Coordinator Jennifer Cowley will be on hand to share the requirements of the program, the best steps to apply and other recommendations to assist individuals through the application process. 

Click here to visit the CLIP page and register for the information session. 

Students Exploring Career Opportunities (SECO), an interactive career expo for Central Louisiana tenth grade students, was held  November 20 and 21, 2019, at the Randolph Riverfront Center. This is the sixth SECO event presented by The Orchard Foundation, The Rapides Foundation and the nine public school districts in Central Louisiana. 

SECO is designed to introduce students to career possibilities and allows participants to experience simulations and hands-on activities at a variety of stations staffed by area businesses. The goal is to foster student engagement and ultimately spark an interest in future careers. 

Click here to read the full story.

Click here to see the SECO 2019 photo gallery.

The Orchard Foundation has scheduled several new Read to Soar workshops throughout Central Louisiana and is taking registrations now. 

The Read to Soar program is a free, eight-session reading program for children ages 0-5 years old along with their parents or caregivers. The program helps develop and strengthen a culture of reading at home by educating parents, building a child's home library and increasing awareness about community resources to help ensure the child has the tools for school success. 

Sessions are limited to 15 families at a time and registration is required in advance of the first session. Children must be accompanied by an adult. If a workshop is not currently scheduled in your parish, you can contact The Orchard Foundation at 318-767-3018 to join the waiting list. 

Click here to learn more about Read to Soar and find a workshop near you.

The CMAP Cancer Screening Van will visit multiple parishes to offer free cancer screens for eligible residents. 

The van is a mobile digital mammography unit that travels throughout Central Louisiana parishes twice a month. Patients receive free clinical breast exams, digital mammograms, cervical exams, Pap smears and colon cancer screening take-home tests. The van is a partnership between The Rapides Foundation, Cenla Medication Access Program and the Partners in Wellness Program at Feist-Weiller Cancer Center at LSU Health Shreveport. 

The services are free of charge for Central Louisiana residents who do not have health insurance. The program follows American Cancer Society screening guidelines, which recommend how often men and women should get screened, and at what ages. 

Appointments are required. To request an appointment, call the Cancer Screening Program at 318-767-3027 or toll-free at 1-855-767-3027. 

Click here to see the Cancer Screening Van schedule.