Residents of Louisiana who are eager to help Ukrainian refugees now have a way to sponsor them directly on their own, according to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge (CCDBR), which has decades of experience welcoming refugees.

The Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group recognized Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge for its work in building trust between social service organizations and immigrant and refugee families.    “This program works because our home visitors are the backbone of this program and are members of the communities they serve,” said Vickki Maloid, CCDBR early childhood program manager. “They work with vulnerable families to positively impact parenting behaviors, early childhood cognitive development and behavioral health.”   The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization that works with nonpartisan thought leaders, scholars and members of the public to address some of the world’s most complex problems. The goal of this publication was to examine the challenges of promising whole-family practices used by organizations that serve immigrant families.  CCDBR was recognized for its home visiting program and Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY). Stephanie Sterling, director of family services, and Maloid were invited by the Aspen Institute to contribute to the publication and present for a national webinar.  “We work with immigrant families in our community to ensure the children are school-ready by focusing on all parts of the family, both parents and children,” said Maloid. “Over the 30-week period of our home visiting program, families develop a habit of reading and learning together. We want the whole family to succeed by supporting the children’s cognitive, emotional, social and physical development.”  “Building Trust with Immigrant and Refugee Families: Spreading and Adapting 2Gen Working Practices” can be downloaded visiting aspen institute.org/publications.    For more information on HIPPY, visit CatholicCharitiesBR.org. 

An estimated 600 members of the Hispanic community gathered for what might have been the beginning of a new tradition.

St. Anne Church in Napoleonville parishioner Henry Blanchard is shown crowning the Blessed Virgin Mary during Mass on May 7. Photo provided by Julie Adolph | St. Anne Church