Business Report's MissionBR | January 2024

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SUPPORT

TRANSFORMATION SERVICE TRUST

CARING MINDFULNESS TEAMWORK OPPORTUNITY REFORM HONESTY IMPACT AFFIRMATION QUALITY APPRECIATION VOLUNTEERISM PARTNERSHIP FOCUS GROWTH DEVELOPMENT PLANNING CONNECTION EMPOWERMENT

MISSIONBR

These Baton Rouge companies and organizations are on a quest to make a difference in the Capital Region.

DEVELOPMENT QUALITY FOCUS PLANNING CONNECTION COMPASSION TRUST MINDFULNESS TRANSFORMATION OPPORTUNITY SERVICE REFORM AFFIRMATION IMPACT VOLUNTEERISM HONESTY PARTNERSHIP TEAMWORK

APPRECIATION

S P O N S O R E D B Y:

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EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY

Assistant Library Directors Patricia Husband, left, and Mary Stein

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nvest in YOU! The East Baton Rouge Parish Library brings value to your small business or nonprofit by helping you find the tools and resources you need to keep moving forward.

The library offers dynamic, technologically advanced facilities with innovation and maker spaces. A new South branch is under construction, along with renovations that are underway at Scotlandville.

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The list of resources goes on: Increased technological services. Expanded online Digital Library offerings. More meeting spaces. Career Center employment assistance and workforce training and skills development—even with augmented and virtual reality. Small business services. And more online classes and databases than ever.

The nationally acclaimed East Baton Rouge Parish Library continues to increase

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its services for the community, offering 14 convenient locations open seven days a week, as well as inspiring spaces for personal discovery, community meetings and access to free programs, services and resources all year. The Library’s resources deliver up-to-date training and new tech initiatives so local needs are met at a level that helps organizations grow and compete.

And the best part about it? It’s FREE.

As the Library continues to expand its workforce development and emerging technology offerings, it also diligently strives to assist in the forward momentum of the city’s development, helping to build capacity and growth. Check us out at ebrpl.com.

7711 Goodwood Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA 70806 225.231.3750 ebrpl.com

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LOUISIANA HOUSING CORPORATION Interim Executive Director Marjorianna Willman

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he mission of the Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) is to ensure that every Louisiana resident is granted an opportunity to obtain safe, affordable, energy-efficient and resilient housing. Our commitment to addressing the daily housing challenges our fellow citizens face is unwavering. This commitment is upheld by a dedicated team of professionals who work tirelessly to allocate federal and state resources,

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thereby transforming the housing dreams of low- to moderate-income families into reality.

The inception of the LHC in 2011 marked a significant milestone in Louisiana’s approach to housing initiatives. It resulted from the Louisiana Legislature’s strategic decision to merge the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency with housing programs from various state agencies, including the Louisiana Office of Community Development. This

consolidation was aimed at centralizing Louisiana’s housing programs, eliminating duplication of efforts, and allowing for greater efficiency in addressing the state’s housing needs.

The LHC oversees multiple initiatives to support renters, homebuyers, property owners, developers, nonprofit organizations, local governments and other stakeholders associated with the development, rehabilitation or redevelopment of affordable

LHC leaders conduct a groundbreaking for Capstone at the Oaks in Lake Charles.

Marjorianna Willman routinely speaks to community groups about housing issues.

Drake’s Landing is a new apartment complex designed for low-income families.

LHC leaders do a walk-through of the New Isle homes being built in Terrebonne Parish.

housing. The dedicated Team LHC, consisting of 154 individuals, is steadfast in its commitment to supporting the housing needs for the citizens of Louisiana. It is our goal to touch every corner of the state through the funding and programs available through the agency.

2415 Quail Dr. Baton Rouge, LA 70808 225.763.8700 lhc.la.gov

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ALZHEIMER’S SERVICES OF THE CAPITAL AREA

The Alzheimer’s Services Team

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lzheimer’s Services has been the local resource for those affected by Alzheimer’s in the Greater Baton Rouge area for the past 40 years.

The organization is an independent nonprofit governed by a local board of directors, and achieves its mission to teach, care for, and connect with those affected by Alzheimer’s or a related impairment through compassionate staff providing programs and services. These include education programs on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias; support services for the memoryimpaired, physicians, and caregivers; a Resource Library; telephone HelpLine; social activities for families and affected individuals; Charlie’s Place Activity & Respite Centers in 82

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Baton Rouge and Gonzales; and the Respite Reimbursement Program (for in-home respite care).

Alzheimer’s Services strives to be on the forefront of setting best practice standards for Alzheimer’s care to meet the needs of those it serves.

“We offer families a hand to hold and guidance to navigate their Alzheimer’s journey.

By increasing awareness of the services we provide, we can reach caregivers and those affected earlier in the disease process and positively impact their journey by helping them prepare rather than react. Such preparation can significantly improve the quality of care and quality of life of those affected and their caregivers.”

3722 North Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA 70806 225.334.7494 alzbr.org

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NEW SCHOOLS FOR BATON ROUGE

CEO Kenneth Campbell

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or more than a decade, New Schools for Baton Rouge has partnered with education, nonprofit and community leaders on the national, state and local levels to transform the educational landscape of Baton Rouge.

Anchored by the tenet that every child in Baton Rouge—regardless of geography or ability to pay—should have access to an engaging, high-quality education, NSBR works to cultivate a citywide educational ecosystem that attracts highly successful public charter schools, assists with funding and resources for their academic development and operation, and empowers their communities to ensure that the schools are designed with those they serve in mind.

Collaborating with its partner organizations, Teach225 and EnrollBR, NSBR also works to develop and implement programs that empower schools across Baton Rouge to recruit, nurture and retain both new and veteran educators, as well as ensure families have equitable and easy access to excellent schools through a common application system.

In 2019, NSBR piloted Family, Schools and Community Connects, a program designed to help schools increase and refine collaboration initiatives to connect and engage with the students and families they serve. The NSBR portfolio currently consists of 23 schools, serving more than 10,000 students across Baton Rouge.

100 Lafayette St., 2nd Floor Baton Rouge, LA 70801 225.337.0212 newschoolsbr.org

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LOUISIANA PAROLE PROJECT

(From left) Kelly Garrett, Deputy Director for Client Services; Andrew Hundley, Executive Director; and Meagan Snedigar, Staff Social Worker

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ince 2016, Parole Project has operated a residential re-entry program for men and women who have served long prison sentences. The organization helps people rebuild their lives after incarceration with the goal of helping clients become self-sufficient and active members in our communities. By providing skills training, mentoring, housing, transportation and other resources to clients, Parole Project seeks to turn people who were once tax burdens into thriving taxpayers.

Through its Employment Enhancement Program, Parole Project works with employers to meet their workforce needs by connecting

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them to skilled talent who are motivated to prove they are worthy of a second chance.

The organization’s Reentry Health Initiative provides social work care and wraparound support to returning citizens to ensure that they overcome the challenges they will face upon their return to society.

Parole Project believes that clients who are engaged in their communities are more likely to be successful. Through volunteer opportunities, formerly incarcerated people can give back to neighborhoods that have been harmed by crime and transform their own lives through restorative justice.

319 3rd St. Baton Rouge, LA 70801 225.399.3132 paroleproject.org

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OPEN HEALTH CARE CLINIC

(From left) Tamma Gray, DDS; John Fidanza III, PsyD; and Carol Patin, MD

O

pen Health Care Clinic, a stalwart in the healthcare landscape, has been an unwavering pillar of support for the Greater Baton Rouge area for more than 25 years. As a federally qualified health center, it stands at the forefront, addressing critical health care needs regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.

Open Health is a comprehensive source for diverse needs such as primary care for adults and children, dental, mental health, diabetes care, infectious disease, gynecology, schoolbased health clinics and even mobile medical services.

The organization’s values—commitment, compassion, diversity, integrity and quality—

are not mere words, but rather guiding principles that resonate in every aspect of service. The clinic’s commitment to reducing social stigma is embedded in its fabric, fostering an environment of inclusivity. Open Health envisions a community where access to highly qualified and culturally competent preventative and primary medical care is not a privilege but a right.

Open Health epitomizes healthcare with a heart, ensuring that individuals—regardless of their needs or insurance status—receive the care they deserve. In this way, Open Health not only heals bodies but also uplifts communities, leaving an indelible mark on the path to a healthier, more equitable society.

Multiple clinic locations in Baton Rouge & Denham Springs 225.655.6422 ohcc.org

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S. DANIELS CONSULTING

Founder and CEO Sonia Daniels, PhD

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Daniels Consulting’s founder and CEO Dr. Sonia Daniels started her career working at several nonprofits and government agencies in the Baton Rouge area. This evoked her desire to engage in consulting with community organizations in the city.

For the past six years, S. Daniels Consulting has served as a social impact strategy and advisory firm to local organizations including BRAC, New Schools for Baton Rouge, 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, and Line4Line, to name a few. The firm’s services 86

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include designing, planning and implementing strategies for capacity building and organizational development, with the desired objective of increasing impact and revenue.

SDC’s mission, now and in the future, is to maintain a steadfast commitment to driving positive change as the premier social impact strategy firm in Baton Rouge by offering comprehensive support to nonprofits, businesses, corporations and brands that are dedicated to investing in community-focused projects and maintaining ethical and social responsibility.

Baton Rouge, LA 70816 sdanielsconsulting.com

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ENTERGY LOUISIANA

President and CEO Phillip May

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ntergy Louisiana provides clean, reliable and affordable electric and gas services to thousands of customers across the Greater Baton Rouge area. The company also steps beyond the power grid to support its communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.

Entergy Louisiana has provided grants to support education initiatives through City Year and Teach for America, workforce and economic development initiatives through the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, and initiatives to improve quality of life through the Baton Rouge

Area Foundation and Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, among other focus areas in partnership with local nonprofits.

Employees have also dedicated their time volunteering at local food pantries, building a home in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, and weatherizing homes to lower customers’ utility bills and raise awareness of the benefits of energy efficiency.

By directly giving back and volunteering in the communities we serve, Entergy Louisiana is building a better future for everyone.

446 North Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA 70802 800.368.3749 entergy-louisiana.com

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GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA The Goodwill Industries Team

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oodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana is proud to operate four retail stores, an attended donation center (ADC), and an Opportunity Center in the Baton Rouge area. Last year, the organization served more than 325 Baton Rouge residents at its Opportunity Center, with services such as workforce development, digital literacy classes, re-entry

services, job readiness training, employment assistance and much more. The sale of your generously donated items helps to fund these programs that serve those with barriers to employment of any kind. In short, your donations allow us to do what we do best: put people to work!

In the future, we hope to expand our offerings in the Baton Rouge area and assist even more of our local neighbors in need.

11358 Perkins Road Baton Rouge, LA 70810 225.308.0220 goodwillno.org

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LOUISIANA SECRETARY OF STATE

(From left) Aaron Piha-Paul, Commercial Supervisor; Stephanie Millican, Commercial Manager; Amanda Baker, Commercial Administrator; Jewel Moore, Commercial Assistant Administrator; Quincy Mouton, Small Business Liaison

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he Department of State’s Commercial Division—along with geauxBIZ, its online business portal—is the onestop shop for Louisianians’ business needs. That role includes making it easier for people to do business in Louisiana.

The Department of State, with input from experts in the Commercial Division, works alongside the state Legislature to implement regulatory reforms that benefit small businesses and reduce the red tape that can often act as a roadblock to entrepreneurs.

The Small Business Protection Act, for instance, requires the department to post information about proposed state rules that may affect small businesses on its website and to notify interested parties when the rule

information is posted. Making small businesses aware of proposed state regulations prior to implementation is key to creating an effective partnership between state agencies and small businesses.

In the 2023 legislative session, our office partnered with Rep. Mark Wright to pass House Resolution 212, which tasks our office with creating an online portal where citizens can provide feedback on unduly burdensome statewide regulations and to propose potential alternatives. This measure, like many others, will serve to strengthen the partnership and foster communication between the Department of State and small business owners across Louisiana.

8585 Archives Ave. Baton Rouge, LA 70809 225.925.4704 sos.la.gov

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YWCA

YWCA CEO Dianna Payton (seated) and staff members

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here you start in life is not where you have to finish.”

With this philosophy, the YWCA has empowered thousands of women and families through education, career development, access to early childcare, and housing assistance.

They are on a path to achieving a quality of life that would be unimaginable without the YWCA’s help, and these services would not be possible without strategic partners from businesses, foundations, and non-profits. In education and career development, the YWCA connects women to certification and credentialing programs leading to jobs and career advancement. YWCA has expanded services in domestic violence with legal counseling, representation, and wraparound services, and will soon unveil the Providence Place apartments 90

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to enhance the safety and recovery of women and children as they heal from emotional trauma. Stable, affordable housing leads to healthier communities and benefits the whole city.

In the past few years, the YWCA has helped 3,030 families gain stability through its rental assistance program. The Early Childhood Education program opens doors to mothers for jobs or continuing their education by safeguarding their infants and toddlers and teaching them school readiness skills. A new strategic plan will add capacity for these services throughout the city. The YWCA continues to develop effective programs through the talent of its team and the incredible support of its community partners.

You are invited to join them in their goals of empowering women and eliminating racism.

Administration Office: 8120 Kelwood Ave. Baton Rouge, LA 70806 225.383.0681 YWCA-br.org

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