222 013 has been a mile-

stone for SMILE Com-

munity Action Agency.

As we reflect on the

past year, and look forward to

the new year, we can be proud

of our Agency’s accomplish-

ments. We look forward to lever-

aging our work in 2014.

One of the Agency’s high-

lights has been partnering with

UL AmeriCorps. University stu-

dents helped to upgrade

SMILE’s shelters through paint-

ing. They also assisted at the

Holy Family Head Start Center,

and served as tutors in the

SMILE Homework Center, which

was also developed in 2013.

“These students made such a

difference in the lives of our

families,” says Interim Executive

Director Brenda Foulcard. “It

was heartwarming to see the

young children scurrying up the

stairs in the afternoon for tutor-

ing in our Homework Center.

We were happy to fulfill our

mission on a daily basis.”

Another highlight was the

SMILE Health & Wellness Pro-

gram partnering with State Rep.

Vincent Pierre to host the Health

& Fitness Expo.

A Year of Community Action

Leveraging SMILE in 2014

Holiday Memories: SMILE Christmas Social

SMILE employees, governing board members and guests en-joyed the SMILE Christmas Social,

which was held December 6 at the Holy Ro-sary Center in Lafayette. There was a whole lot of

“wobble, wobble” and even a Soul Train line as Quality Control/Special Projects Manager Joe Gregory, known as Dr. J for the

night, spun the tunes. SMILE Board President Deidre

Ledbetter and Interim Execu-tive Director Brenda Foul-card greeted guests. Kudos to Ex-

ecutive Secretary Rita McCoy and Receptionist Veronica Figaro Be-noit who spearheaded the celebra-tion. And kudos to Yvette McZeal & staff for the delicious food!

SMILE CHRISTMAS SOCIAL MEMORIES

CHECK OUT MORE PHOTOS & VIDEO @ www.facebook.com/smilecommunityactionagency

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Volume 2013, Issue 3

December 2013

We welcomed the Head Start Mo-

torcade to celebrate Head Start

Awareness Month, and were proud

of our staff who achieved appoint-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

SMILE partnered with UL AmeriCorps. Students pictured with rollers in hand.

I’m sure you have heard the saying

that there is no “I” in Team. For suc-

cess, it has to be a group effort, and I

want to thank you all for making that a

reality this year. We could not have

come this far if we weren’t working

together to make SMILE the best it can

be. Together, we have made a differ-

ence in the lives of so many.

There’s even more to come.

We’re excited about several develop-

ments under way, which have been a

“team” effort. I will have more details

for you in the year ahead.

But for now, I just want to thank you

all for your support of this Agency,

which is part of an even bigger move-

ment. We are a part of Community

Action, which will celebrate its 50th

anniversary in 2014. We’re making

plans — big plans! We all will be a part

of the celebration.

Our Agency has come far. We’re also

about to hit the big 5-0 in a few years.

We’ve lasted this long because we

have had a dedicated and committed

staff, and concerned leaders on both of

our governing boards — Board of Di-

rectors and Head Start/Early Head

Start Policy Council — who believe in

us!

There are exciting days ahead, and

together, we are going to fill them with

positive actions. Here’s to 2014, and

putting SMILE front and center! Have a

blessed holiday! — Brenda Foulcard

Merry Christmas! I spent my last column

contemplating on where had the year gone.

At the time, we were only in the first quar-

ter. Well, now at year’s end, I’m really in

awe of how fast 2013 has been. Hope this

isn’t a sign of age — that the years just

whizzzz by faster the older we get. If so,

then this is a wakeup call for us to stop and

smell the flowers. And in this case, they

would be poinsettias. This may also be a

wakeup call to step up our game, and be

the best we know that we can be. Let’s

also look at this as a wakeup call to fulfill

our dreams — to make our dreams reality

because time waits for nobody.

I’m sure as the clock ticks, a few resolu-

taions have crossed your mind. If you’re

like me, maybe you’re planning to recycle

some from last year. And that’s OK. Re-

member, we may procrastinate, but we

should never lose sight of our goals.

Please enjoy this issue! And please send

me feedback! Happy New Year’s — too!

— Ruth Foote

Page 2

For Next Issue of SMILE Focus:

If you have an article idea, news item or suggestion, please give us a call @ (337) 234-3272, Ext. 210.

Interim Executive Director’s Message SMILE — Team Effort Always Win!

SMILE FOCUS Newsletter

Director of Grants/Communications

Editor’s Notes

Looking Back on 2013: Charting the Year on SMILE’s Facebook Page any

Volume 2013, I ssue 3

SMILE Interim Executive Director Elected as State Treasurer for La. Community Action Association

Congratulations to SMILE Interim Executive Director Brenda Foulcard who was elected Treasurer for the Association of Com-munity Action Partner-ships of Louisiana, known as ACAP-Louisiana. She replaces St. Mary Com-munity Action Agency’s

CEO Almetra Franklin, who held the posi-tion previously when the association was known as LACAP (La. Association of Com-munity Action Partnerships).

SMILE Head Start/Early Head Start Director Elected Vice-President of National Association

Congratulations to SMILE Head Start /Early Head Start Director Alvin H. Jones who was elected this year as Vice-President of the National Head Start Association. Kudos also to Jones who is also serving another term as President of the La. Head Start Associa-tion.

Kudos also goes out to Mary Russell Cobb, SMILE Assistant Director for Head Start/Early Head Start. She was also seat-ed for another term as a Board Member for the La. Head Start Association.

SMILE Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council Seats New Officers and Members

Congratulations to the new officers and

members of the SMILE Head Start/Early

Head Start Policy Council. Tina Anthony

was elected as Chairperson. Other elected

officers included: Lisa Romero; vice-

Chairperson; Donna Stokes, secretary; Monique Duresseau, treasurer; Charles Williams, parliamentarian; and Patrick Boutte, chaplain. Seated as community representatives were Bianca Chretien, Steven Easton, Raymond Q. Lewis, Stacy Stewart Mat-thews, Evans Von Ozen, Dianne Spen-cer and Board Member Kendall Wiltz. Seated as parent representatives were Tiffany Broussard, Jessica Collins, Floyd Jones, Jr., LaTasha Lee, Charelle J. Morgan and Drucieta Savoy.

Lovebirds’ Continuation Story Postponed for Next Focus Issue

Wedding plans are

still in the air for

Family & Commu-

nity Partnership

Associate Junius

“Junebug” Mitch-

ell and his fiancé

Torell “Lash”

Palmer, who were

featured in the last

issue of Focus. We regret we must post-

pone Part II of their story until the next

issue. Please stay tuned!

Feature on SMILE LIHEAP Client Results in Outpouring of Love

SMILE LIHEAP (Low-Income Home En-

ergy Assistance Program) client Barbara

Williams received an outpouring of love

and air conditioners when she was fea-

tured in The Advertiser story on SMILE’s

program. Williams was a client of Case-

worker Lillian Benoit, who was also fea-

tured. She received one of the 150 fans

that SMILE purchased for the elderly and

disabled in Lafayette, St. Martin, Iberia,

Acadia and Jefferson Davis Parishes.

Lafayette Parish Coordinator

‘Ms. Lois’ Retires After 37 Years

In August, SMILE

staff paid tribute to

Lafayette Parish

Coordinator Lois

Andrus who retired

with nearly four dec-

ades of service to

the Agency. She

was praised for be-

ing on the frontlines

during the early

years of SMILE, and for helping to lay its

foundation.

Staff Elected as State Officers &

Board Members of La. Federa-

tion of Housing Counselors

Four SMILE employees were elected as state officers, including the top spot, and reelected as board members at the recent La. Federation of Housing Counse-lors Annual Conference in Shreveport. Congratulations to Equal Opportunity CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Page 3

SMILE News, Views & Reviews...

GUESS WHO THESE SMILING FACES ARE? WE’LL GIVE YOU A HINT:

THEY’RE SMILE EMPLOYEES! THE FIRST ONE WHO CORRECTLY GUESSES,

CALL (337) 234-3272, EXT. 210, AND WE HAVE A GIFT FOR YOU!

difference in the community.

With 2014 ahead, the Agency is ready

and eager to leverage this year’s com-

munity action across our communities

and beyond.

We are proud of our accomplish-

ments and look forward to more! Have

a safe holiday!

LEVERAGING SMILE (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)

SMILE Central Office awaited the Head Start

Caravan with balloons,

ribbons and excitement.

ments on the state

and national level.

SMILE also partici-

pated in events, and

partnered with

groups to make a

Continuation of SMILE Stories from Pages 1 and 3

www.smilecaa.org

www.facebook.com/smilecommunityactionagency

POSTPONED

FOR NEXT FOCUS ISSUE!

How SMILE’s St. Martin Community Action Center

Helped this Client!

STAFF ELECTED (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3)

Officer RoxAnne Chaisson-Pitre, who has been certified as a housing counselor for more than 10 years, was elected to a two-year term as President. As state president, Chaisson-Pitre will also serve on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Housing Coun-selors and Agencies (NAHCA). Also elected as a state officer was for-mer SMILE Lafayette Shelter Coordinator Cinnamon Perkins who became secre-tary. St. Martin Community Action Center's Assistant Parish Coordinator Brenda Jones and Coordinator of Housing Ser-vices Louisa DeRouen were reelected as Board Members.

— Serving St. Martin, Iberia and Lafayette Parishes (Acadia & Jeff Davis Parishes too!*) —

* SMILE provides only LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) services in Acadia and Jeff Davis Parishes.

SMILE FOCUS

Ruth Foote, Editor (337) 234-3272, Ext. 210

Joe Gregory, Assistant Editor (337) 234-3272, Ext. 248

Veronica Figaro Benoit, Assistant

(337) 234-3272, Ext. 200

RoxAnne Chaisson-Pitre, Proofreader (337) 234-3272, Ext. 231

* * *

Please Send Submissions by April 19, 2013

for the Next Issue of SMILE Focus SMILE Central Office/501 St. John Street

Please include your Name & Phone Number

Page 4 SMILE FOCUS Newsletter