The Voice of Southwest Louisiana April 2018 Issue

April 2018 

Vol 5 No 9 

Spring 

Spring into action, don't hesitate 

to confront injustice, bigotry, 

unfairness, oppression and hate... 

Lela Gholar Tizano, 

Author, Playwright 

"Growing up, I never liked 

reading nor writing and I am 

amazed at what God is doing 

through me..." 

SWLA 

Health 

Center 

Healthy Eating 

For Women 

Young People! Parents! 

What is HPV? Why are we concerned? 

What can we do about it? 

Q&A 

with 

Patrick 

Steward, 

M.Ed 

Alcohol Abuse 

Prevention Awareness 

Embrace Your Voice 

WILL YOU 

SPEAK? 

Sexual Assault 

Awareness Month

The SWLA Alliance for Economic Development, in partnership with Louisiana Department 

of Economic Development, is offering its Small & Emerging Business Development 

Program (SEBD) for persons desiring to further develop their own business. 

Want to learn the truth about 

access to business capital for 

your business? 

Do you need managerial and 

technical assistance? 

SEBD Program offers at a reduced cost 

managerial & technical assistance to 

certified SEBD businesses. 

DiSC is a personal assessment tool used to improve work 

productivity, teamwork and communication. This can 

be within a work team, a sales relationship, a leadership 

position or other relationships. 

CLASS BEGINS SOON 

For program details and eligibilities contact: 

Adrian L. Wallace 

Executive Director SEED Center Business Incubator 

433-0977 · awallace@allianceswla.org 

2 April 2018 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 5 • Number 9

editor’s 

By Brenda Hill 

Spring 

pring into action, don't hesitate 

Sto confront injustice, bigotry, unfairness, oppression and hate 

ossessing money and power have limits especially in a doubleminded society 

Pof individuals that exibit fits of rage to gain them notoriety 

emember this...we each have warm thoughts, emotions and feelings 

Rtowards those who are near and dear 

and do not want harm to come to them from any heartless dealings 

nor to us a lack of cheer 

nstantly, we could find ourselves in grievous moments of tragedy 

I 

left with memories that dominate and rob us of peace 

questioning our integrity 

and seeking silky comforts of fleece 

ever put in your mind 

N"injustice promotes freedom" 

for this is not wise, not kind 

nor is it behavior fit for the 'Kingdom' 

o...crucify, bury and resurrect 

Gfor daily is the time and this is the season 

to sprout life, love, unity and reject 

violence, oppression and treason!! 

Volume 5 • Number 9 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM April 2018 3

Apr 2018 

The Voice's Choice 

The Voice's Choice will spotlight groups, individuals or topics that 

spread love, joy and peace throughout SWLA. 


Author, Playwright, 

received her B.S. in 

Business Management 

from Grambling State 

University and Master 

of Arts in Teaching from 

McNeese State University. 

She currently resides 

in Lake Charles and is a 

Behavior Facilitator in 

the Elementary Special 

Education Department of 

Calcasieu Parish School 

Board. In 2017, she 

was inducted into the 

Black Heritage Festival 

Entertainment Hall of 

Fame in Theatre & Drama. 

(See more on page 16) 

20 WILL YOU 

SPEAK? 

SEXUAL ASSAULT 

AWARENESS MONTH 

8 NUTRITION TIPS: 

Healthy 

Eating for 

Women 

Editor-In-Chief 

Brenda Hill 

brenda@thevoiceofsouthwestla.com 

General Manager 

Tracy Clark 

tracy@thevoiceofsouthwestla.com 

Art Director 

Vinh Alexander 

tvswlart@gmail.com 

Sales 

Lori Ross 

loriross3422@gmail.com 

Copy Editors 

Jason Clark 

Cecely Clark 

Ann Champagne 

Consultants 

Gene R. Hill, Sr. 

Reginald Clark 

“Writing short stories for The Voice is a wonderful opportunity 

that will challenge me and will allow me to stay connected to 

my passion for writing.” 

3 EDITOR'S PEN 

SPRING 

5 SWLA NEWS 

IMPERIAL CALCASIEU REGIONAL PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT 

COMMISSION 

6 NAACP LAKE CHARLES BRANCH 

6062 IS HOSTING A NAACP 

FORUM: 

REV. JIMMY STEVENS WITH CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL BOARD 

SUPERINTENDENT KARL BRUCHHAUS 

7 SWLA HEALTH, WEALTH & 

WELLNESS 

HPV VACCINE - WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE AND AT WHICH 

AGE? 

8 HEALTHY EATING FOR WOMEN 

A BALANCED DIET IS A CORNERSTONE OF HEALTH... 

10 YOUNG PEOPLE! PARENTS! 

WHAT IS HPV? WHY ARE WE CONCERNED? WHAT CAN WE DO 

ABOUT IT? 

4 

CONTENTS 

12 SWLA HEALTH CENTER 

PAP TESTING CAN PREVENT CANCER 

14 MY SENIOR MOMENT 2.0 

BEING AWARE OF SCAMS 

16 SWLA FEATURE STORY 

LELA GHOLAR TIZANO, AUTHOR, PLAYWRIGHT 

18 REFLECTIVE LIGHT 

FALLING 

20 WILL YOU SPEAK? 

SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH 

22 ELJAY FOUNDATION FOR 

PARKINSON'S AWARENESS, INC. 

CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER 

24 SWLA BANKING AND FINANCE 

SIMPLE TIPS FOR GOOD FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 

26 Q&A WITH PATRICK STEWARD, 

M.ED 

ALCOHOL ABUSE PREVENTION AWARENESS 

DISCLOSURE: All materials contained in the publication are copy-righted and may not be reproduced or reprinted in part or its entirety without the expressed written 

permission of The Voice of SWLA. The views expressed in articles of The Voice of SWLA are not necessarily the views of the ownership or sponsors in this publication. The Voice of 

SWLA assumes no liability for errors or omissions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all content. 

April 2018 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 5 • Number 9 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Brenda Hill 

Cheri L. Soileau, AICP, Executive/ 

MPO Director 

Emily Ashworth RN, BSN 

Barbara Grigsby R.D LDN 

Lillian Browning WHNP-BC 

Dr. John Colligan, MD, Dir. of OB/ 

GYN 

Joyce R. Kebodeaux 

Lela Gholar Tizano 

Ronald J. Blanchard 

Carra Sergeant, LPC 

Debra Lewis 

Regina James 

Cover Photo Credit 

Vinh Photography 

PUBLISHED AND DISTRIBUTED BY 

Team Publications LLC. 

4310 Ryan St. Ste. 123 

Lake Charles, LA. 70605 

In the McNeese SEED Center 

337.474.2210

SWLA news 

Editor’s Note: This series of articles provided by Imperial Calcasieu Regional Planning 

& Development Commission (IMCAL) will inform, educate and update our readers on 

events affecting transportation and economic development in Southwest Louisiana. 

Imperial Calcasieu Regional Planning 

& Development Commission 

Regional Planning 

Commission 

By Cheri L. Soileau, AICP, Executive/MPO Director 

Since DOTD has begun 

the process of repairing 

and/or shoring up the 

joints on the I-10 Calcasieu 

River Bridge, this is a good 

time to do an update about 

the bridges in our region. 

The I-210 Bridge is the next 

bridge scheduled for repairs. 

It will be a re-decking project 

and it is anticipated to be let, 

meaning going out to bid for 

a contractor late Spring/early 

Summer, 2018. The bridge was 

built in 1962 and is 8500 feet 

long and 140 feet tall, is one of 

the tallest bridges around and 

even survived Hurricane Rita. 

It carries an estimated 54,000 

vehicles in each direction on a 

daily basis. 

Once the contract is 

awarded, the contractor 

has about 30 days or so to 

mobilize equipment and 

personnel to begin the 

project. It is, admittedly, 

a project that will cause 

considerable delays and will 

upset the flow of traffic in 

the region. The project will 

close one side of the bridge 

and then, after that side is 

completed, the other side will 

be closed down. This means 

traffic will be two-way only 

on one side. Semi-trucks will 

not be allowed to be on the 

bridge during this time which 

could cause delays on I-10. 

The MPO just completed 

a study that looks at the 

impact of this project on 

the transportation system 

in Lake Charles and beyond. 

It is available at https://imcal. 

la/i-210-bridge-study-impactand-mitigation-report. 

This 

report has been shared with 

the cities, parish and DOTD. 

It gives impact of different 

alternatives and offers 

suggestions to help minimize 

traffic issues. 

This project is scheduled to 

take about three years but 

DOTD is looking at ways to 

reduce this time. Sometimes, 

with these large projects, 

once the project begins, more 

issues come to light. Ways 

to keep on top of the latest 

information is www.511la.org 

and download the 511 App. 

Real-time data is fed into the 

Waze app (available for both 

iPhone and Android). This is 

the best way to get real-time 

traffic information. 

The Environmental Impact 

Statement (EIS) is still 

underway with the I-10 

Calcasieu River Bridge 

and it is still anticipated 

to be completed in Spring 

2019. It is important to let 

the process work in order to 

prevent delays in the future. 

Please be skeptical of articles 

that may state the bridge 

is dangerous because that 

just fuels misinformation. 

DOTD inspectors are 

constantly looking at the 

bridge to ensure its safety for 

everybody. 

Cheri L. Soileau, AICP, 

Executive/MPO Director 

Imperial Calcasieu 

Regional Planning & 

Development Commission 

Lake Charles Urbanized 

Metropolitan Planning 

Organization (MPO) 

4310 Ryan Street, Suite 330 

Lake Charles LA 70605 

O: 337-433-1771 

C: 469-964-2015 

www.imcal.la 


SWLA news 

Is Hosting A NAACP Forum: 

What's Going On In Calcasieu Parish Schools? 

APRIL 23, 2018 

6:00PM- 8:00PM 

NAACP Lake Charles 

Branch 6062 

New Covenant Faith Baptist Church 

2233 12th Street · Lake Charles, LA 

Rev. Jimmy Stevens, Pastor 

with 

Superintendent 

Karl Bruchhaus 

1987 Graduate of McNeese Statue University 

25 years' experience Administrator in LA Public Schools 

St. John the Baptist Parish-Business Manager/Controller 

Vermillion Parish-Financial Service Officer 

Jefferson Parish-Director of Finance 

Regarded as one of the top School Board Professionals-LA 

Certified Member of LASBO, Government Finance Officers 

Association (State and National levels) 

Married more than 25 years 

Wife, Paula, teacher at Prien Lake Elementary School 

Two children: Christian and Bailey attend McNeese State 

Calcasieu Parish School Board 

Active in his Church, enjoys coaching youth sports, golfing, 

and other fitness activities. 

We Are Bringing The Superintendent To YOU - Come Join US! 

Call 337-215-5353 

6 

April 2018 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 5 • Number 9

SWLA health, wealth & wellness Inform, Educate, Empower 

HPV VACCINE 

Whether Or Not To Vaccinate 

And At Which Age? 

By Emily Ashworth RN, BSN 

There are many healthcare 

decisions that we must make 

as parents for our children. 

One discussion that has been found 

at the forefront of the news and 

many commercials are choosing to 

vaccinate our children with the human 

papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. I have 

been asked by many friends and 

family members about the vaccine 

and whether or not to vaccinate and 

at which age. I always direct them to 

the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC) website as I will also 

direct you and share my experience 

with my two children a story I heard 

from women who have contracted 

HPV. What is HPV you might ask? 

According to the CDC, HPV is 

the most common sexually 

transmitted infection (STI) that 

can be transferred through direct 

contact through oral, vaginal, 

and anal sex. It is a virus that has 

over 40 different types and some 

of those can cause cancer to the 

throat, vaginal area, penis, and anus. 

Using a latex condom can prevent 

some forms but skin to skin contact 

may allow the transmission of some 

forms. Now before you go left and 

say, “My teen is not having sex or 

talking about it” think again. Sex is 

insinuated on commercials and other 

forms of advertising, video games, 

music videos, and more. While it 

is our job as parents to shield and 

protect our children/teenagers from 

adult conversations and content, it is 

also our job to be their teacher and 

protector in an area that can be very 

uncomfortable to discuss. 

Talking to a parent a few years 

ago she expressed to me that her 

child would not need the vaccine 

because she would teach her to wait 

until she was married to engage in 

intercourse. I shared with her the 

story of a young lady that did just that. 

What was not thought of was who 

her husband had been with before 

their first night together. HPV does 

not display any symptoms. When the 

young lady went for a pap smear, one 

of the only true forms of testing for the 

disease she had cancer cells present on 

her cervix from the HPV virus. 

The HPV vaccine is not a “permission 

to have sex” vaccine as many 

parents have expressed concern 

for this. The vaccine is the only 

prevention against several forms 

of cancer caused by the human 

papillomavirus. My children asked 

me when we went to the doctor 

what the vaccine was for and I told 

them, “This is a vaccine that will help 

prevent you from developing cancer 

later in life.” Gauging the maturity 

of your child when discussing the 

vaccine is important. The current 

recommendations from the CDC 

are to administer as 2 shot series 

6-12 months apart starting at age 

11 or 12. Today at 14 and 12 they 

both know why they received the 

vaccine. We have open conversations 

about sexually transmitted infections 

which are important to ensure their 

questions are being answered with 

the most up to date and factual 

information. 

Prayer and continued honest 

dialogue with our children and with 

their pediatrician is essential to 

optimal growth and development. 

May we continue to remember as 

parents even though sometimes it 

seems they are not listening, our Voice 

is vital to the choices and decisions 

they make. 

Be well! 

References: 

https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/ 

stdfact-hpv-and-men.htm 


stdfact-hpv-vaccine-youngwomen.htm 


stdfact-hpv.htm 


SWLA Health Center 

Healthy Eating Women 

for 

By Barbara Grigsby R.D LDN 

BLACK BEAN AND 

CORN QUESADILLAS 

See Pg. 11 

For Recipe 

Abalanced diet is a cornerstone of 

health; women, like men, should 

enjoy a variety of foods, such as 

whole grains,fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, 

low-fat dairy and lean protein. However, 

women also have special nutrient needs 

and during different stages of a woman’s life 

these needs change. 

EATING RIGHT 

Nutrient rich foods provide energy for 

women’s busy lives and help to prevent 

disease. A healthy daily diet includes: 

99 

At least three 1 ounce servings of whole 

grains such as whole grain bread, cereal, 

pasta, brown rice or oats. 

99 

Three servings of low-fat or fat free dairy 

products including low-fat or fat free 

milk,soy milk, yogurt or cheese. 

99 

Five to 6 ounces of protein such as lean 

meat,chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, beans or 

peas, and nuts. 

99 

Two cups of fruits - fresh, frozen or 

canned without added sugar. 

99 

Two and a half (2 1/2) cups of colorful 

vegetables – fresh, frozen or canned 

without added salt. 

OTHER HEALTHY EATING TIPS 

Iron rich foods - Iron is one of the keys 

to good health and energy levels in 

women. Iron rich food sources include 

red meat,chicken, turkey, pork, fish, kale, 

spinach, beans, lentils and fortified breads 

and cereals. Plant based sources of iron are 

more easily absorbed by your body when 

eaten with vitamin C rich foods. For example, 

eat fortified cereal with strawberries on 

top,spinach salad with mandarin orange 

slices, or add tomatoes to lentil soup. 

Folic acid - Folic acid is important during a 

woman’s reproductive years. When women 

reach childbearing age, they need to get 

enough folic acid to decrease risk of birth 

defects. Be sure to consume adequate 

amounts of folic acid daily from fortified 

foods or supplements.You can also get 

folic acid from eating certain foods, such as 

cereals, liver, cooked dried beans and peas; 

dark green leafy vegetables, orange juice, 

fortified grain products and citrus fruits. Be 

sure to consult with your healthcare provider 

before taking folic acid supplements. 

Calcium - For healthy bones and teeth, 

women need to eat a variety of calcium 

rich foods every day. Calcium keeps bones 

strong and prevents osteoporosis, a bone 

disease in which the bones become weak 

and break easily. Some calcium rich foods 

include low-fat or fat free milk, yogurt and 

cheese, sardines, and calcium fortified foods 

including juices and cereals. 

MAINTAINING A HEALTHY WEIGHT 

To keep weight in check at any age, women 

should avoid a lot of excess calories from 

added sugars and fat. 

99 

Limit regular soft drinks, sugar sweetened 

beverages, candy,baked goods and fried 

foods. 

99 

Limit fatty meats like ribs, bacon and hot 

dogs. 

99 

Cheese cakes,cookies, candies and ice 

cream should just be occasional treats. 

99 

Drink plenty of water - drink water or 

other beverages with few or no calories 

to help maintain a healthy weight.Keep a 

water bottle in your bag or at your desk 

to satify your thirst throughout the day. 

BALANCING CALORIES WITH ACTIVITY 

Since women typically have less muscle, 

more fat and are smaller than men, you need 

fewer calories to maintain a healthy body 

weight and activity level. 

Exercise is an important part of a woman’s 

health. Regular daily activity helps with 

weight control, muscle strength and stress 

management. Be active whenever you can. 

Make yourself a priority and take time to care 

for yourself. 

CRISPY CARROT 

FRIES 

SUNSHINE SMOOTHIE 

References: 

www.Eatright.Org 

www.Choosemyplate.Gov/myplate 

See Pg. 13 

For Recipe 

See Pg. 13 

For Recipe 

www.Chopchopmag.Org/recipe/sunshinesmoothie 

Republished with permission from ChopChop (chopchopmag.org): Photography by Carl Tremblay. Styling by Catrine Kelty. 

8 April 2018 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 5 • Number 9

Welcomes 

Dr. Danielle Dixon 

Pediatrician 

Dr. Candace Douglas 

Obstetrics and Gynecology 

SERVICES 

Adult Medicine ● Pediatrics Dental (children & adults) 

Dr. Farron Hunt 

Family Medicine 

Obstetrics ● Gynecology ● Pap Smears Family Planning: Pregnancy Testing ● Birth Control, STDs 

Podiatry ● Behavioral Health ● Pharmacy ● KidMed ● Laboratory Services ● Nutrition 

WIC ● Insurance Application Assistance ● Case Management ● Fitness 

www.swlahealth.org 

2000 Opelousas Street Lake Charles, LA 70601 337-439-9983 

“Caring for the Community, because at the Center is You!” 



Young People! Parents! 

By Lillian Browning WHNP-BC 

What is HPV? 

Why are we concerned? 

What can we do about it? 

The letters HPV are short for the word 

Human Papillomavirus. The virus is 

very common. According to the CDC 

(Center for Disease Control) nearly “14 

million people including teenagers 

become infected with HPV each year”. 

More than 40 types of HPV viruses have 

been linked to cancers of the mouth, 

throat, rectum, and anus in both males 

and females. Cancer of the penis in 

men and cancer of the vulva, vagina, 

and cervix in women has been linked to 

specific types of HPV. 

About 30 - 40 HPV types have been 

linked to sexual contact. Each is 

named with a number in the order it was 

discovered. They are divided into two 

groups, low-risk and high risk HPV. The 

low-risk are those often seen as genital 

warts. The low-risk are linked to the 

numbers 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 53, 54, 61, 

72, 73 and 81. Types 6 and 11 are linked 

to 90% of the genital warts seen. The 

high-risk are linked to the numbers 16, 

18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 

and 68. Types 16 and 18 are the most 

dangerous and are linked to 70 % of the 

cervical cancers seen. In many cases, a 

serious cervical cancer can develop in 

just three years after exposure to Types 

16 and 18. 

Currently, there are few to no tests that 

can give the specific HPV one has been 

infected with; however, the tests that 

do exist can offer evidence of a possible 

exposure to the high-risk group. Work 

is being done to develop tests that will 

specifically identify the type of HPV. 

The HPV virus is passed from one 

person to another through skin to skin 

contact during sexual activity. It’s most 

common in late teens and early 20’s. 

Nearly every person has been exposed to 

one or more of the viruses over a lifetime. 

Generally, the body is able to fight off the 

virus and the person will never know that 

they were infected. However, sometimes 

the body does not fight off the virus and 

this can lead to the development of the 

aforementioned cancers. 

Parents are very concerned about 

having additional vaccinations given 

to their children and may ask: Why 

should my child have the vaccine? 

“He/She is only 11 for goodness sake”. 

Parent’s of young males are particularly 

perplexed. They may wonder or say,“I 

thought the vaccine was to prevent 

cervical cancer. My son does not have a 

cervix!!!”. 

The HPV vaccine is recommended for 

preteen boys and girls. The immune 

response is higher for those aged 11 or 

12 than it is for older adolescents. So 

they are usually protected before any 

concern of sexual activity is present. 

Remember, the cervix is not the only area 

of the body that can be affected by the 

virus. Additionally, vaccination of males 

does give greater protection for females 

from HPV. 

As with any disease entity, prevention 

is always the best approach. Avoidance 

of a problem before it can ever happen is 

the goal of prevention. The HPV vaccines 

along with abstinence or condom use can 

best achieve this goal. Currently, there 

are three vaccines that are approved 

by the FDA to prevent HPV infection: 

Gardasil, Gardasil 9, and Cervarix. “The 

HPV vaccines Gardasil and Gardasil 9 are 

recommended by the Centers for Disease 

Control (CDC) for boys and girls. Gardasil 

9 is the newest HPV vaccine that protects 

against the types of the HPV viruses that 

cause genital warts and cancer of the 

anus, rectum, penis, mouth, throat, and 

oropharynx. The HPV vaccine is approved 

for ages 9 to 26. The CDC recommends 

vaccination for boys at ages 11-12 years 

and between 13 and 21 years if not 

previously vaccinated” (Young Men’s 

Health 12/2016). Currently, the research 

shows no major health concerns for those 

receiving the vaccines. Parents should 

always inform their healthcare provider 

if their child has any allergies including a 

latex allergy or an allergy to yeast. Many 

vaccinated will have minor reactions such 

as pain at the injection site, slight fever, 

nausea or dizziness. 

Young women who did not receive the 

vaccine as children are encouraged 

to do so by age 26. Some insurance 

providers such as Kaiser Permanente 

encourage pap smears to be done on all 

young women who have been sexually 

active for three years or more, are now 21 

years of age regardless of sexual history, 

have ever had genital warts, an abnormal 

pap smear, or cancer of the cervix, vagina 

or vulva in an effort to identify possible 

HPV infection. 

For many women the thought of going 

to the GYN for the yearly “pap” smear 

is a thought laced with feelings of 

dread, fear, embarrassment, anticipation 

of discomfort and some shame. It is 

indeed the least liked or desired part 

of the GYN exam. Women can almost 

tolerate the thought of the breast exam; 

but, those stirrups, who thought up that 

apparatus anyway??? Often the thoughts 

listed above are enough to ensure 

prolonged avoidance. 

10 


The new guidelines for pap smears 

have offered a bit of a reprieve. 

According to multiple National Agencies, 

“Women should start with a Pap test at 

age 21 and should be co-tested with a 

Pap and an HPV test starting at age 30. If 

there are no problems, Pap tests can be 

done every three years and co-testing 

with a Pap and HPV test every five years.” 

At age 65, if no previous problems, no 

more pap tests are needed. There is a 

great on-going debate as to whether 

a pelvic exam (checking the outside 

and inside of the genital area) should 

be done yearly. It is important that the 

discomfort associated with the exam 

not be used as a reason to avoid the 

entire annual exam. As stated before, 

other areas can be affected by the virus 

and only a professional can often detect 

changes that are a cause for concern. 

Exams such as a breast exam, abdominal 

exam, external genital exam, oral and 

penial exam with age appropriate yearly 

labs are particularly still a must. Also, it 

is important to know that for sexually 

active teens and young adults a yearly 

genital or pelvic exam may be valuable in 

detecting silent STD’s. 

Remember, prevention is the best 

answer. Talk with your personal health 

care provider to determine what is best 

for you or your child. 

At SWLA Center for Health Services, we 

provide OB/GYN Services and Pediatric 

services. We can also provide information 

on HPV vaccinations and provide the 

vaccination. Contact us at 337-439-9983 

to make your appointment today. 

http://www.thehpvtest.com/about-hpv/ 

high-and-low-risk-hpv-types/ 

http://youngmenshealthsite.org/parents/ 

gardasil-for-my-son/ 

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/ 

diseases/teen/hpv-indepth-color.pdf 

http://www.nccc-online.org/hpvcervicalcancer/cervical-cancer-screening/ 

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic_ 

info/index.htm 

BLACK BEAN AND CORN QUESADILLAS 

It’s a Mexican grilled cheese sandwich—with tortillas instead of bread. We like whole-grain 

or corn tortillas better than white flour tortillas because they have lots of flavor and more 

nutrients! (Corn tortillas are smaller: if you use them here, use 2 per quesadilla, sandwiching the 

cheese in the middle between them instead of folding them.) By Adam Ried. 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

INGREDIENTS: 

2 8-inch whole-grain tortillas 

1⁄4 cup canned or cooked black 

beans, drained and rinsed 

1⁄4 cup canned or frozen corn, 

drained or thawed as needed 

2 scallions, thinly sliced 

1⁄2 cup grated Monterey Jack or 

cheddar cheese 

Salsa for serving (if you like) 

KITCHEN GEAR: 

Cutting Board 

Measuring cup 

Colander or strainer 

Small mixing bowl 

Wooden spoon 

Sharp knife (adult 

needed) 

Large nonstick skillet 

Spatula 

Large plate, for serving 

HANDS-ON TIME: 15 MINUTES | TOTAL TIME: 15 MINUTES | MAKES: 2 QUESADILLAS 

Wash your hands with soap and water, then gather all your kitchen gear and ingredients and 

put them on a clean counter. 

1. Put the tortillas on the cutting board and sprinkle half the cheese over half of each one. 

2. Put the beans, corn and scallions in the mixing bowl, and mix well with the spoon. 

RECIPE 

CONTINUE 

FROM 

PAGE 8 

3. Sprinkle half the bean and corn mixture over the cheese on each tortilla, then fold the 

tortilla to make a half-moon shape. 

4. With the help of your adult, put the skillet on the stove and turn the heat to medium-low. 

Add the quesadillas. Use the spatula to press down gently. Cook the quesadillas, flipping 

halfway through, until they are spotty brown and crisp on both sides. The cheese inside 

should be melted. 

5. Take the quesadillas out of the skillet and let them cool about 2 minutes on the serving 

plate. 

6. With the help of your adult, cut the quesadillas into wedges and serve with salsa (if you 

like salsa). 




SWLA Center for Health Services 

Pap Testing can 

Prevent Cancer 

By Dr. John Colligan, MD, Dir. of OB/GYN 

The Papanicolaou (Pap) test 

was introduced by Dr. George 

Papanicolaou in the 1940’s as a 

screening test to detect abnormal changes 

in the cells of the cervix that can lead to 

cervical cancer. Today, Pap testing has led 

to a 70% reduction in cervical cancer deaths 

in America. Cervical cancer was the number 

one cause of cancer deaths for women, but is 

now ranked 12th in cancer deaths for women 

in the US. This dramatic improvement has 

resulted from widespread Pap test screening 

programs. Routine Pap testing reduces 

both the number of new cervical cancers 

diagnosed each year and deaths from the 

disease. Pap testing is an essential part of a 

woman’s routine health care. Every woman 

ages 21 - 65 should receive a Pap test. 

Every year, between 250,000 to 1 million 

women in the United States are diagnosed 

with cervical dysplasia, which is the 

medical term for pre-cancer growths on 

the cervix. While it can occur at any age, it 

most commonly occurs in women between 

the ages of 25 to 35. Most dysplasia cases 

can be cured with proper treatment and 

follow-up. This is due to a long pre-cancer 

stage during which conservative treatments 

are highly successful in removing pre-cancer 

growths before they become cancer. Without 

treatment, 30 to 50 percent may progress to 

invasive cancer. 

Invasive cervical cancer tends to occur in 

midlife and is most frequently diagnosed 

in women between the ages of 35 and 44. 

It rarely develops in women younger than 

20. Many older women do not realize that 

the risk of developing cervical cancer is still 

present as they age. More than 15% of cases 

of cervical cancer are found in women over 

65. However, these cancers rarely occur in 

women who have been getting regular Pap 

tests to screen for cervical cancer before they 

were 65. 

There are general guidelines that 

recommend who should receive Pap 

testing. Pap testing usually begins 

around age 21 and continues until 

age 65. Most women do not need Pap 

testing after a hysterectomy. There are 

certain circumstances when Pap testing 

is recommended earlier than age 21, after 

age 65, and in women who have had a 

hysterectomy. Frequency of Pap testing is 

usually every three years if previous tests 

were negative. 

In the United States, Hispanic women are 

most likely to get cervical cancer, followed 

by African-Americans, Asians and Pacific 

Islanders, and then whites. American Indians 

and Alaskan natives have the lowest risk of 

cervical cancer in this country. 

While there has been a large reduction in 

cervical cancer cases and deaths, a serious 

problem still exists, especially among certain 

populations of women. Unscreened and 

under-screened populations of women in 

the U.S. historically include older women, 

uninsured women, migrant and minority 

women, and those residing in rural areas. 

The incidence of Pap testing in these groups 

has remained inadequate for decades. Since 

most invasive cervical cancers are found in 

women who have not been routinely tested, 

outreach and educational components of 

Pap screening programs should include extra 

efforts to reach these groups of women who 

will benefit most from Pap testing. 

Factors that cause Pap test screening to be 

successful are, ease of performing the test, 

low or no cost to patients, and effectiveness 

of the test in identifying pre-cancer cells. 

Dr. John Colligan, MD, Dir. of OB/GYN 

Resistance to Pap testing is usually due to 

a negative emotional disposition to Pap 

testing indicating dislike, embarrassment, 

discomfort, or anxiety about having the 

test. Some have a feeling they are not at risk 

since previous Pap tests were negative, or 

that nothing is wrong since they have no 

symptoms. 

Financial barriers are not now a major 

concern since Pap testing is available at 

low or no cost to most women. Women 

must be educated on the need for continued 

testing and realize that the discomforts 

of testing are very small compared to the 

discomforts of cervical cancer. Women 

can contact their healthcare provider for 

information concerning their individual 

needs for Pap testing. 

Another method of preventing cervical 

cancer, in addition to removing pre-cancer 

growths before they develop into cancer, is 

vaccination against the Human Papilloma 

Virus (HPV), the most common sexually 

transmitted infection. Certain strains of HPV 

cause cancer, other strains cause genital 

warts. While pre-cancer and cancer growths 

caused by HPV are uncommon in males, they 

do occur on and around the male genital 

organs and can also occur in other parts of 

the body. 

Nearly all sexually active men and women 

get an HPV infection at some point in 

12 


their lives. Almost 80 million people in the 

U.S. are currently infected with the virus, and 

about 14 million (including teens) become 

infected with HPV each year. Fortunately, in 

nearly all cases the body’s immune system 

removes the virus in one or two years and 

the infection doesn’t cause health problems. 

However, in one or two percent of patients 

the virus persists and can lead to health 

problems, including genital warts and precancer, 

which left untreated can progress to 

cancer. 

Information about vaccination of preteen, 

teenage, and young adult girls and 

boys to prevent HPV infections is discussed in 

the next article. 

If you are a woman between the ages of 

21 – 65 and have not had a Pap test before 

or a Pap test within the last 3 years, please 

contact your healthcare provider to receive 

this very important preventative test. If you 

do not have a healthcare provider to perform 

your Pap test, SWLA Center for Health 

Services has four (4) women’s healthcare 

providers that are currently accepting new 

patients and are happy to provide for all of 

your women healthcare needs. Call 337-439- 

9983 to make your appointment today. 

SWLA Center for Health Services, your 

local community health center, has been 

serving and providing quality healthcare 

services to the community for over 35 years. 

SWLA Center for Health Services is a Joint 

Commission Accredited Federally Qualified 

Health Center providing preventative and 

primary healthcare services. 

Services offered at SWLA Center for 

Health Services include Family Medicine, 

Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics (KidMed), 

Oral Health (Dentistry), Podiatry, Behavioral 

Health, Pharmacy, Laboratory, Case 

Management, WIC, insurance enrollment, 

and a state of the art Fitness Center. 

SWLA Center for Health Services accepts 

all types of insurance including Medicaid, 

Medicare, Veterans Choice, and most private 

insurances. Patients who qualify can also 

participate in our sliding fee scale discount 

program which allows a patient to pay for 

services based on their household size and 

income. 

SWLA Center for Health Services “Caring for 

the Community, because at the Center is You!” 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. With the help of your adult, turn the oven on and set it to 400 degrees. 

2. Put the carrots on the cutting board and, with the help of your adult, cut them in thirds. 

Cut the thinnest end into 2 spears. Cut the two thicker parts into 4 spears each so that you 

get 10 carrot spears from each carrot. 

3. Put the spears on the baking sheet, add the oil and salt and, using your clean hands, rub 

the oil and salt on the carrot pieces until they're all lightly coated with oil. 

4. With the help of your adult, transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake until the 

carrots are tender and golden brown, about 30 minutes. 

5. Serve right away. 

CRISPY CARROT FRIES 

In the mood for fries? Instead of the French kind, try these. 

Carrots are tasty and super-good for you. 

INGREDIENTS: 

6 carrots (about 1 pound), well 

scrubbed but not peeled 

1 teaspoon olive or canola oil 

1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt 

KITCHEN GEAR: 

Cutting board 

Sharp knife 

Baking sheet with sides 

Measuring spoons 

Potholder 

HANDS-ON TIME: 10 MINUTES | TOTAL TIME: 30 MINUTES | MAKES: 4 SERVING 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Put all the ingredients in the blender. 

2. Put the top on tightly. Turn the blender to a medium setting and blend until the ice is 

chopped and the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute. 

3. Serve right away—or store in a thermos or covered in the refrigerator, up to 4 hours. 

NOTES: 

SUNSHINE SMOOTHIE 

This delicious drink tastes like an orange-cream bar, and will 

give you a little burst of summery feeling even in the dead 

of winter. Plus, some extra vitamin C might help you fight off 

cold-weather colds. 

INGREDIENTS: 

1⁄2 cup orange juice 

1⁄2 cup plain low-fat yogurt 

1 ripe banana, peeled and sliced 

1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract 

2 ice cubes 

Think Ahead: Freeze the banana ahead of time for a slushier smoothie! 

KITCHEN GEAR: 

Measuring cup 

Measuring spoons 

Dinner knife 

Cutting board 

Blender (adult needed) 

HANDS-ON TIME: 5 MINUTES | TOTAL TIME: 5 MINUTES | MAKES: 2 SERVING 

RECIPE 

CONTINUE 

FROM 

PAGE 8 


RECIPE 

CONTINUE 

FROM 

PAGE 8 



My Senior Moment 2.0 

Being Aware 

of Scams 

By Joyce R. Kebodeaux 

Carmen Million, BBB President 

Better Business Bureau 

President Carmen Million in 

the Lake Charles location is 

always ready to answer questions. 

“Here in our office we never say I 

don’t know. Instead we search for the 

answers”, she said. “I have worked for 

BBB 35 years and thoroughly enjoy 

my job. Completing the staff of three 

are Liz Katchur, Business Manager and 

Carla Watkins, Office Manager. 

“We can’t tell anybody what 

to do, but we can give them 

information to help them make 

an informed decision”. 

BBB has a new home on the corner 

of Lake Street and Sale Road. A grand 

opening is in the planning for the near 

future. This office serves six parishes: 

Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, 

Jeff Davis and Vernon. BBB is a not for 

profit organization and is supported by 

licensed, accredited businesses that are 

members. These businesses are vetted 

and membership is by invitation only. 

“Moving to this new location gives 

us more space and we are more 

visible.” she said. “Most of our calls 

are after the purchase or transaction is 

completed. I wish they would call for 

information before.” 

Before I visited the BBB I believed 

scammers targeted senior citizens 

more than others. Everyone is a target, 

I learned. Retired seniors are more 

accessible and not spending time at 

work. They are more likely to answer 

the phone or stop to chat in parking 

lots and public places. 

Scanning our calls is helpful. Using 

a caller ID one can see the number 

calling. If we don’t recognize the 

number calling we need not answer. 

Scammers have upped their game by 

getting numbers that appear to be 

local. More people will answer if the 

call is local. 

Sometimes the caller’s number is 

the same as ours which peaks our 

curiosity. This is what scammers do 

to get someone to answer the phone. 

Should we answer, they then try to gain 

our confidence. By becoming familiar 

with us they gain information. This is 

called spoofing. The caller makes his 

pitch by talking about circumstances 

similar to ours. For example, veterans 

are more likely to talk to a person who 

claims to be a veteran also. 

If the caller appears to be local we 

might be more inclined to listen 

to their pitch. Ironically these calls 

are mostly from out of the country. 

Sometimes the caller asks a question 

that requires a yes or no. By answering 

yes we could be agreeing to buy 

something or do what the scammer 

wants. We can block these calls and use 

our time for other things. 

The old “You owe the Internal 

Revenue money Scare” is still around 

and still works. Scammers know that 

no one wants to be jailed or pay their 

heavy fines. If they can put that fear 

in his victims they might agree to the 

hoax. 

One scam was developed for seniors. 

This is the Grandparent Scam. 

By pretending to be a grandchild, 

or someone representing him 

grandparents are asked to send money 

immediately. Money will end the 

problem; for instance staying out of 

jail. The caller doesn’t give Grandma 

or Grandpa a chance to think about 

the request. Later they learn their 

grandchild was never in trouble. 

In her job, Carmen goes out 

immediately to speak to groups 

about the BBB. After all these years 

there are still many who don’t know 

what the BBB does. She says “My job is 

never boring. There is something new 

every day”. 

14 



SWLA feature story 


Author, Playwright, 

I 

am the daughter of Dorothy Gholar and the late Frank 

Gholar. I am married to Mark Tizano and the mother of 

Patrick and Michael. Chicago, Illinois is where I was born 

then later moved to Lake Arthur, Louisiana and graduated 

from Lake Arthur High School. I received my B.S. in Business 

Management from Grambling State University and Master of 

Arts in Teaching from McNeese State University. I currently 

reside in Lake Charles, Louisiana where I am a Behavior 

Facilitator in the Elementary Special Education department of 

Calcasieu Parish School Board and an active member of New 

Covenant Faith Baptist Church. 

Growing up, I never liked reading nor writing and I am 

amazed at what God is doing through me. One of the 

best pieces of advice that I received came from a college 

schoolmate who had authored a book. I was interested in 

writing at the time and I asked her “How do you get started?” 

To that she replied, “just write.” That was simple and yet very 

profound. I want to encourage someone who has a book 

locked inside to “JUST WRITE.” 

God gave me opportunity to self-publish two novels 

Unconditional Love?, and, From Hard to Hallelujah!, a 

Gospel Stage Play that I wrote, directed and starred in. I had 

a strong desire to see my work live and in color, either on 

the big screen or in a television movie, ever since my first 

novel, Unconditional Love?, Rather than wait for someone 

to acknowledge and recognize my work, God gave me 

inspiration to bring my book to life via the stage. I contacted 

a few family members and friends and together we gave the 

audience a phenomenal performance about a message filled 

with love, faith, forgiveness and salvation. 

In 2017, I was inducted into the Black Heritage Festival 

Entertainment Hall of Fame in Theatre & Drama. Writing 

short stories for The Voice is a wonderful opportunity that 

will challenge me and will allow me to stay connected to my 

passion for writing. 

I know that God has given each of us a special talent and 

since He gave it to us, He will help us to develop it and 

eventually perfect it. I challenge everyone to tap into what 

God has placed inside and allow it to come to pass. You will 

never know if your wings work if you do not try to fly. 

Lela Gholar Tizano 

Editor’s Note: The Voice of Southwest Louisiana shares 

this Bio of Lela Gholar Tizano, Author, and Playwright. She 

has creativity and passion with powerful imagination for 

fictional short stories. Look for them in our monthly column, 

Adventures of the Lake, starting in May 2018. 

16 


SOWELA Hosts 

Sixth Annual Women 

in Non-Traditional 

Careers Seminar 

SOWELA Technical Community College 

is hosting its Sixth Annual Women 

in Non-Traditional Careers Seminar 

on Thursday, April 19, 2018, from 5 - 7 

p.m. in the Arts & Humanities Building, 

Multipurpose Room 145. Representatives 

from area businesses and industry will present 

information on non-traditional career opportunities 

available to women in Southwest Louisiana. 

“This seminar allows women of all ages and all walks 

of life to interact with other women who have forged 

a personal path into a non-traditional career. It 

allows attendees to see themselves in the presenters, 

as they too have overcome obstacles to achieve their 

goals,” said Barbara Forsythe, Career Coach. 

In addition, attendees seeking employment will 

learn how to begin their career in a high-demand job 

and discover the steps required to apply for financial 

aid and gain admission to SOWELA. Presenters 

from companies such as Sasol, Phillips 66, Calcasieu 

Business and Career Solutions Center, CB&I, CITGO, 

SOWELA and others will be available for a question 

and answer session following the presentation. 

The seminar is free and open to the public for 

women of any age. Reservations are not required. For 

information, contact SOWELA at (337) 421-6983 or 

email barbara.forsythe@sowela.edu. 

SOWELA Technical Community College provides 

traditional, distance, and lifelong learning 

experiences and awards associate degrees, technical 

diplomas, and certificates that empower learners in 

transfer, career and technical education to excel as 

globally competitive citizens. The College has been 

educating the region’s workforce for 80 years. 


Reflective Light INSPIRED REVELATION FROM A MALE PERSPECTIVE 

Falling 

...the magnificent contrast of 

rising and falling magnifies 

the importance of living. 

By Ronald J. Blanchard 

From early beginnings, one 

learns that life is a journey 

that is filled with triumph 

as well as tragedy. Reflecting back, 

hindsight becomes 20/20 vision 

as one is allowed to see through 

divine transparency. What one did 

not understand becomes crystal 

clear through the gifts of time and 

experience. History offers life lessons 

and instructions that help to define 

one’s present as one search to find 

one’s future. However, there is the 

reality that to value celebration 

and elevation, one must accept the 

certainty of falling. 

Pressing the rewind button, one is 

reminded of one’s infancy through 

captured images of photography 

and videography. Months removed 

from the comfort of the mother’s 

womb, mistakenly one may assume 

that the world offers a similar comfort 

until taking first steps and missteps, 

attempting to walk, one often falls. 

There is the dramatic and shocking 

introduction of “pain”. Looking up, 

there was a special someone that 

offered soft, caressing words of 

comfort and a sure hand of support. 

Regaining confidence, one learned 

to stand to gain the eventual skill of 

walking through the appreciation of 

falling. 

A wise man once shared, “it’s not 

how many times one falls, it how 

many times one gets up”. A lesson in 

spirituality teaches that through the 

limitations of human carnality there 

is an inability to truly understand 

the imperfections of a woman and 

a man. Indeed, gravity suggests that 

all must fall. Traveling the emotional 

rollercoaster of life, one must hold 

on to the higher power of hope that 

offers answers to countless questions. 

Highest education should teach that 

there is a universal purpose, pattern, 

and plan which orchestrate the 

movement of all mankind. There is 

no chance or happenstance; there is 

only the consistency of spirituality. The 

human condition gives the drive and 

motivation to rise understanding the 

possibility of falling. 

Fast-forward to now, a man meets 

a woman, a woman meets a man, 

and they are subject to fall. This time, 

it’s called “love”, or perhaps a close 

facsimile. Falling in love is the ultimate 

fall for it provides an unconditional 

opportunity to give of oneself with no 

expectation of reciprocation. A better 

explanation is actually love falling 

within a man or a woman through 

divine inspiration causing more than 

a temporary sensation or temperature 

elevation. The day to day struggle to 

reach a common bond is not without 

distractions and obstacles. Hopefully, 

supernatural mathematics will cause 

one plus one to equal one. Moment by 

moment, together they fight the forces 

that may alter their path to soulful 

unity. Forgetting why they fall, they 

continually strive to stand. A special 

revelation gives the insight to see that 

the magnificent contrast of rising and 

falling magnifies the importance of 

living. 

18 



Peace from Pieces 

WILL 

YOU 

SPEAK? 

By Carra Sergeant, LPC 

Licensed Professional Counselor 

April 2018 has been designated as 

Sexual Assault Awareness Month 

and this year’s theme is “Embrace 

Your VOICE”. Sexual violence permeates 

our society. It happens every day, in 

every community, in every city, in every 

state and in every country. Its impact is 

so devastating, that it shatters its victims 

and loved ones at their very core. This 

month, I want to shed a little light on a 

very difficult topic. 

WHAT EXACTLY IS SEXUAL ASSAULT/ 

VIOLENCE? 

Generally defined, sexual assault/ 

violence is ANY type of unwanted sexual 

contact. Sexual violence/assault is NOT 

about sex…it is about POWER AND 

OPPRESSION. Lack of the consent is what 

distinguishes sexual violence/assault 

from consensual sex. Consent must be 

given freely and is more than a simple 

yes. Consent involves a dialogue about 

desires, needs and levels of comfort 

and is an active, sober, and verbal “YES”. 

Consent can be withdrawn at any time… 

at which point, “NO MEANS NO”. Forms 

of sexual violence/assault include, but are 

not limited to, any of the following: 

• Rape/Incest 

• Unwanted sexual touching 

• Sexual Harassment 

• Nonconsensual image sharing 

• Sexual exploitation 

WHAT ARE THE FACTS? 

The National Sexual Violence Resource 

Center (NSVRC) notes the following: 

• One in two WOMEN have experienced 

sexual violence other than rape in their 

lifetime. 

• One in five MEN have experienced sexual 

violence other than rape in their lifetime. 

• One in five WOMEN have experienced 

completed or attempted rape in their lives. 

• One in fifty MEN have experienced 

completed or attempted rape in their lives. 

• One in three GIRLS are sexually abused 

before the age of 16 years 

• One in six BOYS are sexually abused before 

the age of 16 years 

• An estimated 67.5% of all instances of 

sexual assault/violence go unreported 

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF SEXUAL 

VIOLENCE/ASSAULT? 

SURVIVORS: Each survivor reacts to 

sexual violence in her/his own unique 

way. Personal style, culture, and context 

of the survivor’s life may affect these 

reactions. Some express their emotions 

while others prefer to keep their feelings 

inside. Some may tell others right away 

what happened, others will wait weeks, 

months, or even years before discussing 

the assault, if they ever choose to do so. 

It is important to respect each person’s 

choices and style of coping with this 

traumatic event. 

SIGNIFICANT OTHERS: Sexual violence 

can affect parents, friends, partners, 

children, spouses, and/or co-workers of 

the survivor. As they try to make sense of 

what happened, significant others may 

experience similar reactions and feelings 

to those of the survivor. Fear, guilt, selfblame, 

and anger are but a few reactions 

they may experience. In order to best 

support the survivor, it is important for 

those close to them to get support. This 

can include advocacy-based counseling 

in an individual, family or group setting; 

information and referral services; and 24- 

hour crisis intervention assistance. 

COMMUNITIES: Communities also feel 

the effects of sexual violence. Schools, 

workplaces, neighborhoods, campuses, 

and cultural or religious communities 

20 


may feel fear, anger, or disbelief if a sexual 

assault happened in their community. As 

with any form of violence, sexual violence 

tears at the fabric of community wellbeing. 

Additionally, there are financial 

costs to communities. According to the 

U.S. Department of Justice (1996) the cost 

of crime to victims is an estimated $450 

billion per year. Rape is the most costly to 

its victims, totaling $127 billion annually. 

SOCIETY: Sexual violence endangers 

critical societal structures through 

climates of violence and fear. Fifty 

percent of sexual violence/assault victims 

lost or were forced to quit their jobs in 

the year following their assault due to the 

severity of their reactions. Public Health 

officials have noted that development 

of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 

is likely in 50 to 95 percent of sexual 

violence/assault cases. Loss of potential 

lifetime contributions and achievements, 

as a result of sexual violence, is a cost to 

society that can’t be measured. 

WHAT CAN I DO? 

The only person responsible for 

committing sexual assault is a 

perpetrator, but all of us have the ability 

to look out for each other’s safety. 

Whether it’s giving someone a safe ride 

home from a party or directly confronting 

a person who is engaging in threatening 

behavior, anyone may be able help 

prevent sexual violence. It’s not always 

easy to step in, even if you know it’s the 

right thing to do. Some common reasons 

that we do not take action are: 

• “I don’t know what to do or what to say.” 

• “I don’t want to cause a scene.” 

• “It’s not my business.” 

• “I don’t want my friend to be mad at me.” 

• “I’m sure someone else will step in.” 

It’s okay to have these thoughts, but it’s 

important to realize that your actions 

could possibly have a big impact on the 

outcome of a situation. 

MY LOVED ONE IS/I AM A VICTIM. NOW 

WHAT? 

After sexual assault, it is hard to know 

how to react. You may be physically hurt, 

emotionally drained, or unsure what to 

do next. Recovering from sexual abuse 

is a process and sometimes a long one. 

There is no timetable and there is no 

“right” reaction. You may experience 

some of the following emotions: 

• Anger. You might feel anger for a number 

of reasons: towards yourself for not being 

able to stop the assault; or towards the 

perpetrator for carrying out the assault. 

It can be difficult to keep anger from 

affecting the way you communicate. Let 

yourself acknowledge this emotion and 

find another outlet to express it. 

• Anxiety. You might feel anxious about 

responding the “right” way or worried 

about how this event will impact your 

relationships. As a victim, believe that the 

assault was not your fault. As a loved one, 

reassure the survivor that the assault was 

not their fault and that you believe them. 

• Confusion. You might feel confused by 

what happened or why it has happened. 

Sadly, sexual assaults are more common 

that we’d like to think. 

• Disbelief. After a traumatic experience, 

it’s common for survivors and those 

around them to experience denial. It’s 

important to focus on acknowledging 

your/their story. 

• Sadness. It is normal to feel sad, 

hopeless, worried, or powerless. You 

might mourn how life has changed in 

light of the assault. Self-care strategies 

and coping skills can help you move 

through these feelings. 

LET’S CHANGE THE CONVERSATION 

How you talk about sexual violence/ 

assault matters. Become an agent for 

change by using your voice to shift how 

others think about and react to this 

critical issue. Victims are NEVER to blame. 

It doesn’t matter what someone was 

wearing, how they were acting, if they 

were drinking, or what type of relationship 

they had with the person who abused 

them. Healing and justice will look 

different for every survivor. Healing is an 

ongoing process. Everyone heals in their 

own time and their own way. 

To read more about sexual violence/ 

assault and its prevention, check out the 

following online resources: 

www.nsvrc.org 

www.sapr.mil/sapr-source 

www.centerforsafetyandchange.org 

Chances are that you know someone 

who has experienced sexual violence 

even if they haven’t told you. They are 

listening to how you talk about the 

issue, and deciding whether you will 

understand and believe them and help 

them feel safe. Sexual violence thrives 

when it is not taken seriously. Silence 

empowers the perpetrator. Speak up! 

Speak out! Don’t allow victim blaming/ 

shaming to go unchecked. Your voice is 

essential in setting the record straight on 

sexual violence. EMBRACE YOUR VOICE! 

Carra Sergeant, LPC 

PEACE FROM PIECES COUNSELING SERVICES 

For an appointment, call 337-515-6716 


SWLA nonprofit 

www.eljayfd.org 

Eljay Foundation for Parkinson's Awareness, 

Inc. - Changing Lives Together 

The Eljay Foundation was founded in 2000 in an 

effort to promote awareness for Parkinson's 

disease and fundraise to help find a cure while 

supporting its member patients. 

Our mission is to inform whole communities 

about Parkinson's disease and build community 

partnerships that provide resources and non 

clinical support services to improve the quality of 

life and access to care for every person affected by 

Parkinson's disease by linking them to points of 

services. 

Our goal is to improve the quality of life of every member 

ensuring they know they are not alone. 

We host an annual health fair each August, as well as 

monthly support group meetings in Lake Charles and 

Orange, Texas. We also partner with Hope Therapy to 

provide Rock Steady Boxing(R), a national non-contact 

program designed to help build muscle, stamina, balance, 

and tenacity. 

The name Eljay comes from a combination of my 

parent's name. My dad is Jay, and my mom's name is Ella. 

My dad, Eligha "Jay" Guillory was diagnosed with Parkinson's 

disease in 1983 at the age of 38. However, he had seen signs 

and experienced misdiagnoses for six years prior. He passed 

away in 2012 after living with Parkinson's disease for over 30 

years. 

The Eljay Foundation aka the Parkinson's Foundation 

was founded out of a need. As a family, we had difficulty 

researching information on Parkinson's disease and several 

professionals even lacked solid information. Since we 

experienced that problem, we figured we were not alone. 

We dedicated ourselves to ensure patients and families, as 

well as the community, were well informed on Parkinson's 

disease, its affects, and prognosis. 

Parkinson's disease affects approximately 1.5 million 

people in North America. An estimated 2% or two in 

one hundred Louisiana residents (60,000 people) have 

Parkinson's disease. An estimated 2,000 Southwest 

Louisiana residents is diagnosed with Parkinson's. You 

cannot die FROM Parkinson's disease, however until a cure is 

found, most likely you will die WITH it. Parkinson's is also the 

14th leading cause of death in the US. 

22 


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SWLA banking and finance 

Simple Tips For 

Good Financial 

Management 

By Debra Lewis 

Debra Lewis 

Assistant Vice-President/Loan Officer 

First Federal Bank of Louisiana Main Office 

Office: 337-421-1114 

Cell: 337-853-4288 

Email: debra.lewis@ffbla.com 

1Live by a monthly budget. A budget 

records all income coming in minus 

all expenses going out. This helps to 

show whether you have a negative or 

positive cash flow. Do you have more 

going out than what is coming in? Work 

to separate “Wants” versus “Needs”. 

You should always analyze every expense 

looking for ways to reduce or cut back 

on these amounts. Likewise look for 

ways to increase income if possible. The 

goal is to first have a balanced budget 

then to continue working to end up with 

remaining funds at the end of the month 

after all expenses have been paid. This 

surplus can ideally be used for savings. 

Sometimes it’s not how much you make 

but what you do with it. 

2Establish a savings plan. Often 

times we get into the habit of saving 

monies that are left after all expenses 

are paid. While this works okay when 

you have a decent monthly surplus in 

your budget, it becomes difficult to save 

when your budget is tight. Learn to save 

on purpose. Establish a set amount out 

of each pay check that you will save no 

matter what...just as if it was a bill to 

pay. You don’t have to start out with a 

large amount if that’s difficult. Start with 

as little as $5 per paycheck, and as pay 

raises, income tax refunds, and any new 

sources of money come your way commit 

to increasing your savings amount during 

these times. Create the habit of saving 

consistently rather than sporadically. Why 

save? Saving is so important because it 

helps you prepare for a rainy day that is 

sure to come. It is also an excellent way to 

address your short-term goals. 

3Invest in long-term goals. 

Whether it is saving for a down 

payment on a home, child’s education, 

or retirement these are specialized 

goals that may take five plus years to 

accomplish. Create a savings especially 

for this goal. Commit to only depositing 

into it rather than withdrawing out of 

it until you reach your goal. Start early. 

The earlier you start, the longer your 

money has time to grow with interest 

compounding. And while it’s better to 

start early, it’s never too late to start. 

4Manage your credit. Your credit 

determines first whether you are 

approved or denied for a loan request. 

And if approved, it can also determine 

the interest rate charged and/or how 

long you are given to repay the loan. Both 

of these can result in a higher monthly 

payment to manage in your budget each 

month. Prepare BEFORE you are ready 

to borrow. Getting approved for a new 

loan today depends on how well you 

paid other loans in the past. Establish, 

maintain, or re-establish credit before 

you are ready to borrow. You should 

review your credit report at least one 

time per year to ensure that it is accurate. 

Any inaccuracies should be disputed as 

the credit score has no way of knowing 

that the information is inaccurate. 

Collection accounts, judgments, and 

liens are items that you want to work to 

clear while maintaining good payment 

history on good debts. Payment history is 

the biggest portion of a score so always 

strive to pay on time. Credit is a valuable 

resource when used properly. 

5Keep debt under control. Too much 

debt can be overwhelming. Know 

your limits. Make sure that monthly 

payments on new debt fit your budget. 

Are you borrowing money to pay for 

items that should be paid with cash? 

One way to address excessive debts 

is to make minimum payments on all 

debts each month so that no accounts 

go past due. Thereafter, strive to pay 

extra on one account, usually the one 

with the lowest balance. The goal here 

is to pay off or eliminate the one with 

the lowest balance. Then the payment 

for this account can be applied as 

extra payments to the debt with the 

next lowest payment until this one is 

eliminated. 

6Teach the children. In school have 

you ever wished you were taught 

Math, Science, English, and FINANCE? 

Just think of the pitfalls in life you could 

have avoided. Usually children are left 

to figure it out as they go or stumble 

then struggle to get back up. Knowledge 

really is power. Children should be 

taught to set financial goals, budget, 

save, pay bills on time, and even invest. 

Rather than buying our children a video 

game what about teaching our children 

to invest in the company that makes the 

video games? Empowering our children 

with financial knowledge will lead them 

well into adulthood. 

24 


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Q&A 

By: Regina James, Brenda Hill 

Q&A with Patrick 

Steward, M.Ed 

Alcohol Abuse Prevention Awareness 

In light of Alcohol Abuse Prevention Awareness, Patrick Steward, 

M.Ed., Owner/Operator of New Beginnings Outreach Community 

Center defines Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse. He agrees 

with scripture in that the first step in all of your getting is an 

understanding. 

Certified Master Addictions Counselor III 

Certified Anger & Depression 

Management Specialist 

Certified Behavior Management 

Specialist 

He likes to read, travel and go to the 

beach and look at the sunset. 

QWhat is the difference between 

Alcoholism and Alcohol abuse? 

ASomeone who is dependent on 

alcohol needs it through the day. 

They develop a high tolerance needing 

more alcohol to feel any effect. Alcoholics 

suffer from withdrawal and will drink to 

avoid symptoms of withdrawals which 

includes, anxiety, tremors, sweating, and 

depression. Alcohol abusers are not 

yet dependent, but may experience a 

little bit of tolerance or a small degree of 

withdrawal. Nothing as severe as what a 

true alcoholic goes through. 

QWhat race, gender, etc., seem to 

suffer the more from Alcoholism/ 

Alcohol abuse? 

AAlcoholism has devastating 

effects on a person’s health and 

personal life no matter what sex they are. 

Alcoholism is more prevalent among men 

than women. Recent studies have shown 

that White and Native Americans have 

a greater risk of alcohol use disorders 

relative to other ethnic groups. However, 

once alcohol dependence occurs Blacks 

and Hispanics experience higher rates 

than whites of recurrent or presistent 

dependence. 

QWhat factors lead up to Alcoholism? 

A 

Genetic, 

Environmental, and 

Social factors can be precusors to 

alcoholism. Alcoholism is considered a 

disease, compulsive need, and addictive 

illness. 

Heredity Genetic factors may account for 

one half of the total risk of developing 

alcoholism. Research indicates that more 

than one gene is responsible for an 

increase of developing alcoholism, yet 

abnormalities in certain brain regions are 

implicated in alcohol dependence. 

QDoes city festivals and parties 

influence rates of alcoholism? 

A 

Louisana 

is among the top states that 

have a higher than average binge 

drinking rate. Mardi Gras draws 1.4 million 

people into New Orleans alone. New Orlens 

has a binge drinking rate which is higher 

than the national average. Louisiana also 

has many festivals and like activities across 

the state and binge drinking is higher in 

Louisiana than the national average. 

QWhat types of conditions and/ 

or illnesses seem to contribute to 

alcohol abuse? 

AGenetics, emotional pain and 

mental health can contribute to 

alcohol abuse. 

QWhat are some long term health 

effects associated with Alcoholism/ 

Alcohol abuse? 

ASome health effects associated with 

alcohol intake in large amounts 

include an increased risk of malnutrition, 

chronic pancreatitis, alcoholic liver 

disease and cancer. 

Programs supporting loved ones affected 

by Alcoholism/Alcohol abuse are New 

Beginnings Outreach Community Center 

(337) 794-5351, Successful Self Inc, (337) 

377-5731, Alcoholics Anonymous (337) 

502-9833. 

26 


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The Voice of Southwest Louisiana April 2018 Issue

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