Although the United States is one of the most highly developed countries in the world, high levels of deprivation are still present across the nation, negatively impacting the lives of many Americans. According to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, each year approximately 2.5 to 3.5 million Americans sleep in shelters, transitional housing and public places not meant for human habitation. Here in Acadiana, like across the nation, many members of our local community struggle with a variety of factors ranging from homelessness to hunger.

In an effort to raise awareness of the needs of impoverished community members in Acadiana, Dr. Chris Hubbell, founder and director of a Jeuné Advanced Medical Skincare, is sponsoring the annual Beauty and a Blessing fundraiser hosted by Catholic Services of Acadiana. Dr. Hubbell is donating six baskets of skincare and beauty products and procedures aimed at providing solutions for common aesthetic skincare needs such as: prevention, correction, acne relief and anti-aging solutions.

“This is our second year partnering with Catholic Services of Acadiana to sponsor the Beauty and a Blessing fundraiser,” said Dr. Hubbell. “All of the staff at a Jeuné, including myself, are committed to being active members of the community. We often take for granted the uncounted blessings of our lives such as having the security of a roof over our heads or the ability to place food on the table for our families. However, this fundraiser serves as a welcomed opportunity for our staff, patients and for other members of the community to show our concern and love for our neighbors by supporting the dignity of those in need in our own Acadiana community, regardless of their creed or religious affiliation.”

Staff of A Jeune Advanced Medical Spa volunteer at St. Joseph Diner — Staff of *A Jeune* Advanced Medical Spa volunteer at St. Joseph Diner

This year’s spring fundraising raffle will be hosted online and is slated to launch Friday, April 1, and will end on May 4, 2016. All proceeds from the raffle will benefit Catholic Services of Acadiana as they work to provide food, drink, shelter and clothing for those in need; care for the sick and imprisoned; and burial expenses of the indigent, unidentified or unclaimed deceased individuals in the Acadiana community. Catholic Services of Acadiana’s ministries include: Monsignor Sigur Center, New Life Center, St. Michael Center, St. Joseph Shelter, St. Joseph Diner and Stella Maris Center.

To purchase raffle tickets or to make a donation, please visit www.catholicservice.org/blessing. Participants may choose to designate their donation to the ministry of their choice. Raffle tickets begin at $5, and tickets will be confirmed by an email to participants. There is no limit to the number of tickets an individual may purchase. The price of the raffle ticket is not tax deductible, however any additional charitable donations is are tax deductible. Raffle tickets will be drawn and winners contacted on May 4, 2016, following the end of the fundraiser. For questions or for more information about this fundraiser please call 337.989.7272.