From Our CEO, Kim Boudreaux

Dear Donor,

A few weeks ago, I left an evening event around 9:30pm and decided to make a drive through downtown Lafayette to see who was sleeping on the streets. I drove up and down every street and found five people in Park Putnam and one person asleep in Park San Souci. This is a stark contrast from two years ago, when dozens of medically vulnerable people were living and dying unsheltered downtown.

In March 2018, we made the decision at Catholic Charities of Acadiana to not turn anyone away who came to us for shelter, regardless of our bed capacity. We offered blankets and mats for them to sleep on our shelter floor. We committed to make room at our inn for those who bear the image of Christ.

It was simply the right thing to do.

Since that day, we have welcomed an additional 40+ people over capacity each night into our downtown shelter. We didn’t know how long we could do this, but we continued to say yes to opening our doors every night. It was the right thing to do, even though we didn’t have the financial means to do it. On the night that I drove through downtown, we welcomed 98 people into our shelter downtown.

We believe in the life and dignity of every human person. We believe everyone should have their basic needs met, with food and shelter being the most primary of our human needs. I have always found that when we have remained faithful to doing the right thing for the right reason in God's grace, He has provided abundantly for the needs of those we serve. He has never failed.

Unfortunately, we are still short. We currently have a $80,000 deficit in our sheltering program. Catholic Charities of Acadiana operates more than ten programs that serve people who are experiencing poverty, hunger, and homelessness; each of these programs need your support.

During a season when we give thanks and share our blessings, I ask you to please pray for us and those we serve. Please consider making a tax-deductible year end gift to help us serve the most vulnerable in our community. Know of my gratitude for your compassion and generosity and my continued prayers for you.

With joy,

Kimberly Boudreaux
Chief Executive Officer
Catholic Charities of Acadiana

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Donate here: www.catholiccharitiesacadiana.org/donate