Gina's mother was mentally abusive and would often tear her down verbally. When she was 17 years old, Gina left her home and moved in with her boyfriend. At first, everything was great, and he was just what he needed to escape from the home that was never really a home to her. Over time, her boyfriend began to display similar behaviors to her mother. He was emotionally abusive and became physically abusive on a couple of occasions. However, they were soon to welcome a baby girl into the world. Gina describes her daughter as her everything. Once her daughter was born, she knew she would do everything she could to care for her and give her what she needed. She got a job and supported her family the best she could. Over time, Gina's relationship with her daughter's father dwindled and they separated.
A few years later, Gina finally felt ready to be in a relationship again. Looking back, Gina describes the relationship as the perfect abusive cycle. It started out in the Honeymoon Phase. Her abuser would buy her everything she desired and spoiled her with his money. As time went on, the tension building started. Small insults were thrown out and minor violence. Gina admits it was hard to see this as abuse. Who would spend all their money just to abuse her? One thing led to another and before she knew it, the abuse was at its worst. The physical abuse was at its all-time high and the emotional abuse was ongoing, several times a day. Her abuser did not want her to spend time with her daughter and told her how bad a mom she was for letting her daughter live with her father. Gina felt alone as no one believed her recounts of the abuse. This was the "perfect man" giving her everything she could desire, and Gina was just being dramatic. Gina felt she had no one to turn to.
After enduring years of abuse, Gina decided one day that she had enough. She escaped to her mother's house, where her mother's boyfriend stated she could not stay there. It was then that Gina turned to The Haven. While in emergency shelter, Gina worked hard to overcome the abuse she has endured through weekly individual and group therapies. In addition, Gina was assisted by the housing advocate and found a home that was everything she was looking for, including walking distance from her new job! Gina states with the help of The Haven her life is finally coming together. She is in the midst repairing her relationship with her daughter and hasn't been this happy in a long time! She states that the work she is doing is for her, but she also wants to show her daughter how strong she can be. She wants to be a role model for her daughter for years to come and hopes to show her daughter how not to settle for less than she deserves.
 

"Through the Haven's Safe Date lessons, we have learned how to recognize the signs of an unhealthy relationship. We know how important it is to speak up and support others."

An Asian woman called the hotline for emergency shelter and restraining order assistance. The survivor had been a victim of abuse for 17 years of her marriage. The request for service happened due to being strangled unconscious and being woken up by him trying to force himself on to her. She has an extensive history of abuse and throughout the years has sought services but was too afraid to follow through.

The client was assisted by our on-call mobile advocate who helped the survivor pack important items such as her social security card and birth certificate. The police were also there speaking with the perpetrator and trying hard to diffuse the situation. Once the survivor was transported to the shelter she was shown to her temporary apartment where she was relieved to have a safe place and privacy. Throughout her stay she was able to help other survivors by teaching them how to sew.
During her six weeks, she was able to put a temporary restraining order on her husband,
attend support groups, and receive referrals for housing and mental health. Chez Hope has been fortunate to receive funds that can help pay rent deposits and utilities. The survivor found a house that she was able to afford. She was provided with the ring security system which included cameras and doorbell to increase her safety.
She returned to Chez Hope. She expressed how important was the support she received. She was able to thank the advocates who assisted her and wanted to let them know that they were doing a wonderful job. She expressed interest in volunteering in the future and provided Chez Hope with a monetary donation.

The St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy has been in operation for 24 years and 6 months with an all-volunteer staff. A total of 194,812 FREE prescriptions have been filled.  719 prescriptions filled so far in 2026. All of the donated money to the pharmacy is used to buy medicines that are not donated by medical offices and nursing homes.  The pharmacy is open Tuesday mornings from 9:00am to 11:00am.

Hope in Hard Times
Amelia never imagined her life would come to this—a single woman, battling cancer, struggling to survive on a disability income of just $994 a month. Each day brought a new challenge, and even everyday necessities felt like luxuries.
The bright spot in her world was Daisy, her loyal dog, whose warm eyes and wagging tail reminded Amelia that love and hope could still exist in dark times.
After being forced to leave her previous apartment when her health declined, Amelia searched desperately for a place to stay that would allow Daisy. Most landlords said "no dogs allowed." Finally, she found a small room for rent, but the arrangement came with its own heavy burdens. The landlord, knowing Amelia had nowhere else to go, set the rent high and required her to pay for utilities, all while offering little in return. The house was drafty, and Amelia often sat bundled in blankets to stay warm, rationing her limited funds to keep the lights and heat on.
Despite her illness, Amelia refused to give up. She budgeted every penny, often choosing between paying the electric bill and buying enough groceries for the week. On days when her strength faded, Daisy curled up at her side, offering silent comfort.
Just when things seemed unbearable, a neighbor told Amelia about St. Mary Outreach. With nothing to lose, she called and explained her situation. The staff listened with compassion, and within days, she received assistance with her overdue utility bill, a blessing that allowed her to keep her heat and lights on. Volunteers from St. Mary Outreach delivered food, hygiene items, and cleaning supplies-items Amelia desperately needed but couldn't afford.
But St. Mary Outreach didn't stop there. Understanding the challenges of her current living situation, they provided referrals to other landlords in the area— people known to be fair and willing to rent to tenants with pets. For the first time in months, Amelia felt hope flicker within her heart. She realized she was not invisible; there were people and organizations ready to stand by her side.
With support from St. Mary Outreach, Amelia found the strength to keep fighting-not just her cancer, but the hardships of daily life. Her story reminds us all that even in the darkest moments, kindness and community can make a world of difference. And for Amelia and Daisy, hope arrived just when they needed it most.

St. Vincent Pharmacy is a lifesaver. My mom needed help with her meds because she was on dialysis and was not getting enough on her check to get her meds. If it was not for St. Vincent, we could not get her meds. Thank God for this place

In February, our Girl Scouts community service project was writing letters to senior citizens. This simple activity brings joy and connection to seniors, many of whom appreciate the reminder the their community is thinking of them. It also gives our Girl Scouts a meaningful way to practice kindness, empathy, and communication. A heartfelt note may seem small, but it brightens someone's day and helps our girls see the impact of thoughtful service.

Pack 438 serves families by providing affordable, values-based programming that helps youth develop life skills, leadership abilities, and a spirit of service. United Way support helps us expand access for families in need, provide camping scholarships, purchase program supplies, and ensure every child has the opportunity to participate regardless of financial circumstances.
Through Scouting, we are helping shape responsible, confident, and community-minded future leaders.
This past month, the pack hosted its 1st Annual Scouting Games Campout, where Scouts participated in team-building challenges, physical activities, and leadership exercises that promoted confidence, cooperation, and resilience. Events like this provide young people with healthy, structured opportunities to grow while learning the value of teamwork and perseverance.
The pack also celebrated one of our most meaningful traditions, its Arrow of Light and Crossover Ceremony. This year, two Scouts earned the Arrow of Light, the highest achievement in Cub Scouting, recognizing years of dedication, skill-building, and personal growth. Both youth chose to continue into Scouts BSA, where they will pursue advanced leadership opportunities and community service.

An elderly gentleman stopped at our office, so I went to the pantry and gave him some food to take home. He turned around and said, "Thank you, but I am still lonely and sad". So, we talked and then I took him to our senior center.
Now, two years later, he has a full-time job and a great deal of friends. But, every St. Patrick's Day he returns to the center to have a good time with his senior friends bringing some goodies and a lot of stories.
He is a long distance truck driver, and wherever he goes he tries to find a senior center because he remembers how they helped him when he really needed help, especially just someone to talk to.
Yes, we are an ear to listen, a hand to hold, and a heart that cares...no matter where we are.

Vaping has become a huge problem in our community amongst our youth. With the tremendous health consequences vaping is having, it is so important to educate both youth and adults of the risks.  The Bayou Council is providing programs in the school systems. "Catch My Breath", is the evidence-based vaping prevention program being taught in 6th and 9th grades in Lafourche Parish. To date, 1,777 students have participated in the program with 8,926 lessons taught. 

We have seen an increase in need for our service here in St. Mary parish.  We have been doing our best to help our community to the best of our ability.
We have had many donations in both food and monetarily from local churches and other organizations that have been such a blessing. The monetary donations from the United Way have assisted us in keeping up with demand and always have something on our pantry shelves!