Houma-Thibodaux nonprofits receive $100,000 from Mother Teresa Women’s Giving Circle

Dan Copp, The Courier
·2 min read

Over $100,000 in grants have been awarded to seven nonprofit groups in Terrebonne and Lafourche.

The money was granted by the Mother Teresa Women’s Giving Circle to local organizations directly impacting the lives of women, children and families.

The Mother Teresa Women’s Giving Circle, part of the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana, "seeks to promote philanthropy that empowers women, compels action, and glorifies God," according to the foundation's website.

After listening to presentations from 13 nonprofits, the group voted for seven that would receive the grants.

“Through prayer and community, the group of Catholic women have together overcome the challenges of Hurricane Ida and found ways to make an impact in the community,” the group said in a release.

Related: Catholic women's group donates $93,000 to Houma-Thibodaux nonprofits

The $101,000 in grants were awarded to the seven nonprofits during a ceremony Thursday.

Mother Teresa Women’s Giving Circle Steering Committee members include: Bonnie Babin, Wanda Birdsall, Charlotte Bollinger, Pat Caillouet, Andree’ Casey, Emelie Cheramie, Karen David, Susan David, Rene David, Mary Duplantis, Renee Gautreaux, Brenda Riviere, Lillie Triche Romano, Kelly Thibodeaux, Clarisse Waguespack
Mother Teresa Women’s Giving Circle Steering Committee members include: Bonnie Babin, Wanda Birdsall, Charlotte Bollinger, Pat Caillouet, Andree’ Casey, Emelie Cheramie, Karen David, Susan David, Rene David, Mary Duplantis, Renee Gautreaux, Brenda Riviere, Lillie Triche Romano, Kelly Thibodeaux, Clarisse Waguespack

The following organizations received the grants:

  • Catholic Charities Disaster Relief, $34,000 to continue with their appliance assistance efforts.

  • Crossroads Pregnancy Center, $20,000 to implement a digital marketing campaign.

  • The Haven, $15,000 for its Family Violence Emergency Support Program and Flexible Housing Fund.

  • Friends of Beyond the Bell, $8,000 to improve engagement in experiences and trips for kids.

  • St. Lucy's Daycare, $8,000 to add and improve playground equipment and kitchen appliances.

  • Hope Extreme, $8,000 to improve the afterschool program by purchasing new equipment and supplies.

  • Good Samaritan Food Bank and Thrift Store of Raceland, $8,000 to extend outreach of the food bank to other locations like the Wallace Center.

Amy Ponson, executive director of the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana, praised the nonprofits for their service to the community.

“It has been a truly humbling experience to watch the members of the Mother Teresa Women's Giving Circle live out Mother Teresa's mission to help women, children, and families," she said. “Over the course of four years, despite continued challenges we face daily, the Catholic women within our diocese have led with their prayers, their hearts, and their vision to make our community a better place.

“Their shared generosity has enabled our Giving Circle to distribute over $329,000 over the last four years. Our vision was to build a community of Catholic women where every gift, no matter how large or small, would make an impact locally. We are honored to have been able to grant out $101,000 this year and hope to continue to grow our support throughout our local community.”

More: Catholic diocese seeks women philanthropists

For more information about the Mother Teresa Women’s Giving Circle, visit www.catholicfoundationsl.org/womens-giving-circle. Those who are interested in joining can contact Ponson at 850-3116 or email her at aponson@htdiocese.org.

— Staff Writer Dan Copp can be reached at 448-7639 or at dan.copp@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanVCopp.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: Houma-Thibodaux nonprofits receive $100,000 in grants