The Voice of Southwest Louisiana September 2018 Issue

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Q&A SCIP's Members L-R: Gabe Guillory, PR Manager, Alexis Bostick, Vice President, Olivia Reeves, Secretary, David Spicer, President. Photo by Tyler Simien Free Little Pantry Sulphur Community Impact Program (SCIP) MEMBERS By Brenda Hill Free Little Pantry Project launched on Wednesday, August 8, 2018. Based on the national free little pantry model, the pantries were placed in accessible locations making food and hygiene items readily available to local residents in need while others can donate items by placing them directly in the pantries. To ensure sustainability of the project, the location partners will manage the free little pantries moving forward. “Through our work we came to realize the power and influence youth can have in the community by taking responsibility in directly addressing an issue that is detrimental to local individuals,” said David Spicer, President of SCIP. David Spicer, President, manages all financial records for purchases and accounting for the group, stands in for a member during a leave of absence, provides guidance and support for the members and serves as assistant should another member need help on a task. David serves as the quilt maker that sews together the tiles of every member into one complete quilt, one complete SCIP. Alexis Bostick, Vice President, provides support to the other three members with her presence and her help in a variety of events to ensure completion. Olivia Reeves, Secretary, creates material to disperse to community officials, including brochures and project proposals. She also helps oversee communication between SCIP, its partnering locations, in-kind partners, bookings, hiring photographers, rentals for tables, etc. Gabe Guillory, PR Manager, 24 September 2018 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 6 • Number 2
supports fellow members in completing tasks, running errands, gathering items and all that’s needed to ensure successful meetings, PR events, etc. QHow were you four chosen? AIn October of 2017, Sulphur High School announced the creation of a Youth Community Impact Program sponsored by Tellurian Inc. that would receive a $20,000 Grant to create a sustainable project that addresses an issue in the area. Interested students had to turn in an application with a required essay covering community involvement after school and a sponsor evaluation. Four students were chosen: David Spicer, Olivia Reeves, Alexis Bostick, and Gabe Guillory. QHow does your team manage its diversity of each member’s presence, ideas, input, etc? AThough SCIP is a diverse, multiracial group with backgrounds from different races and socioeconomic classes, each member presents their own perspective on how food insecurity affects their community. Having a small group of four members, SCIP works closely with each other, understanding compromise is crucial to maintain involvement and implementation of all members. The benefit of the small group is every member feels comfortable voicing their opinion, even if it is a dissenting or concurring opinion, and different positions, SCIP considers each member equal in vote, opinion, and expected work contributions. QWhat procedures are put in place to manage food items during varying weather inclements? ASCIP researched items that have been successful in other free little pantry projects. SCIP aimed at buying items that were heat tolerant but also demanded by residents. SCIP provided all partnering locations information resources on how to handle a variety of issues, including weather patterns and stock abuse. SCIP encourages all partnering locations to trial test certain items that have any concerns, before fully implementing it into the pantry. SCIP is paving much pathway for the future of Free Little Pantries by implementing the project in southern Louisiana. QWhat does Alexis, Gabriel & Olivia feel their strong points are and how does it aid SCIP’s mission? A Olivia - I believe my strong points are dedication, professionalism, and optimism. SCIP's main mission is to address food security, and I think that my attributes go hand in hand when aiding that mission. My dedication keeps me going. I know what I am trying to achieve, and I am willing to do whatever I can to get there. However, not everything is going to run smoothly, and that is where optimism comes in. Not only am I dedicated to reaching the goal at hand, but I am able to see the bigger picture and maintain a positive attitude in the face of the road bumps. I think professionalism is the "finishing touch.” None of the hard work matters if you don't present yourself or the project well. I believe when I met with people and did presentations, I communicated our mission thoroughly and respectfully. A Alexis - I feel my strong points are; remaining focused, having compassion towards others and taking initiative. This project has required me to use all these traits in order to overcome obstacles placed before us. Throughout the duration of the project it was necessary to remain focused to achieve our goal. Once we met with local officials to discuss prevalent issues that we may not have been aware of in our community, my eyes were opened to the numerous amounts of people who go to sleep hungry. They did not know where their next meal would come from and immediately I felt the desire to help. Taking initiative ensured that there was something constantly being completed during the project, which was essential to completing our goal. SCIP Sulphur Community Impact Program (SCIP) Free Little Pantry has brought together multiple different leadership styles, opinions, and personalities. I could not be more grateful for this experience, everything it has taught me, and the long-lasting friendships it has created. AGabe - My strong point is being comfortable communicating with people. My communication skills help aid SCIP’s mission in this project because we communicate with many different people such as the mayor, city council, police jury, school personnel, industry leaders, etc. So being comfortable talking with people really helps. Photo by Tyler Simien Volume 6 • Number 2 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM September 2018 25
Page 1 and 2: September 2018 Vol 6 No 2 We are th
Page 3 and 4: editor’s By Brenda Hill Grandpare
Page 5 and 6: SWLA news Editor’s Note: This ser
Page 7 and 8: SWLA health, wealth & wellness Info
Page 9 and 10: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) By Etta P
Page 11 and 12: HOURS OPEN Mon-Fri: 8:00 a.m. - 5:0
Page 13 and 14: The vision of SWLA Sickle Cell is t
Page 15 and 16: A Shout Out to Nanu from Colten Ton
Page 17 and 18: Coordinator's position and worked i
Page 19 and 20: WE’RE ALL CERTIFIED! 100% HELPFUL
Page 21 and 22: "September is Suicide Prevention Aw
Page 23: Dana Simien (Suga) and granddaughte
Page 27: DIANETICS T HE MOD ERN S CIENCE OF

The Voice of Southwest Louisiana September 2018 Issue

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