Julie Lafargue earns her income in the legal field, but she finds her rewards in the mission fields of Shreveport’s inner-city neighborhoods.
The longtime local attorney started her partnership with Community Renewal more than 20 years ago with friends at First United Methodist Church. They started helping the Kids Club at the Allendale Friendship House by sponsoring report card dinners to encourage the boys and girls to do their best in school.
“In some small way I may have made a difference in a child’s life and that’s very gratifying.” – Julie Lafargue, volunteer
“In some small way I may have made a difference in a child’s life and that’s very gratifying.” – Julie Lafargue, volunteer
“I just love the kids. They are so loving and appreciative,” Julie said. “Every report card party is my favorite day of the week. I believe I get more out of it than they do.
“I’ve built relationships with these kids and I have great love for them. I also have fears for them because of the dangers that are so close to them.”
Julie was also motivated to volunteer with Community Renewal because of the permanency of the Friendship Houses in high-crime, low-income neighborhoods. Each Friendship House is staffed by a community coordinator who lives at the house with their family and who becomes a caring neighbor, not just a visitor.
“The Friendship House is such a safe and nurturing place for them to learn that their life doesn’t have to be spent as a drug dealer on the corner. There are people who love them and want them to be successful,” she said.
As a frequent volunteer in Allendale, Julie has come to see that the neighborhood has many caring residents, just like any other area of town. She has no fear about going there because she now has many friends there.
“I’ve been here at all hours and never been afraid. This is a community. I see roses growing and yards cut and people who work and children who attend school,” she said. “I see people raising families who want to live in clean and decent housing and who want their children to be safe and educated.”
Julie has also helped with events like neighborhood cookouts and drives to collect school uniforms. She was eager to help make a dream become reality when the Allendale Youth Club set its sights on a trip to New York City. Not only did Julie help with funding the journey, but she also joined them.
“It was a life-changing trip for these kids. They saw that the world is bigger than Shreveport. They saw the Statue of Liberty and the 911 Memorial and the Empire State Building. We impressed upon them how things they are learning in school have relevance in the world,” she said.
“We wanted to show them they are not trapped in their situation and education is the first step to a better life.”
Julie has encouraged friends to support and volunteer with Community Renewal and she will continue to do so.
“I believe that to whom much is given, much is expected. In some small way I may have made a difference in a child’s life and that’s very gratifying. You get more out of volunteering with Community Renewal than you give,” she said.
“I don’t know what Shreveport would look like without Community Renewal. It would be a far different place and it would be heartbreaking.”
