Amanda Gouthiere has We Care signs on both sides of her corner house, just to make sure they are visible to everyone who passes by. It’s a reflection of her personality – caring on all sides.

“Time and society change – but caring shouldn’t.” – Amanda Gouthiere, Haven House leader

Amanda became a Haven House leader more than 20 years ago, after Community Renewal Founder Mack McCarter spoke to her class at Bossier Parish Community College. Today she lives in Shreveport’s Shreve Island neighborhood with her husband, Joe, and children Joey and Julianna.

“Mack shared his vision of neighbors helping each other and I was hooked immediately. I love that idea and I want that for our community,” she said.

“I want people to know each other and care for each other. I definitely see that making a difference in all communities. It’s like having a big neighborhood watch where we all care for each other.”

A first-grade teacher at Mooretown Elementary School, Amanda also believes passionately in making caring part of a child’s education. She has done that with her own children and her efforts have produced tremendous results.

“We can’t wait until we are adults to teach about caring. We have to start at a young age,” she said.

Joey and Juliana have lifted caring to a new level. Joey initiated Geaux Green, which focuses on taking care of the environment. He received the 2018 Prudential Spirit of Community Award and has received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for his efforts. Each spring he organizes a Geaux Green Day, encouraging people everywhere to plant flowers, clean up litter and conserve our natural resources.

Juliana started Bear Share five years ago, at the age of 6, and to date more than 15,000 stuffed animals have been donated to children involved in accidents, illness or other traumatic situations. The idea for it is based on the act of caring from a Shreveport firefighter who gave a stuffed animal to Amanda to help comfort her when she was involved in a serious accident. She was only 13 when riding on the back of her father’s motorcycle when they were hit by a car.

“I want to show love to everybody because you never know what people are going through,” Juliana said. “I got that from my Mom. She is my inspiration.”

Amanda and her family have hosted block parties, delivered meals, and walked dogs for their neighbors. It is now second nature to take a bottle of water out to the mail carrier on a hot day.

“We can do the simplest things for one another as neighbors and it can make a big difference. Caring can mean so many things that can all let people know they are cared about,” Amanda said.

“Time and society change – but caring shouldn’t.”