“My life has been forever changed”

Barbara Zaffater lives in a beautiful neighborhood in South Shreveport. But the best part of where she lives is not the beautiful houses, but the beautiful friendships she has formed with the people who live inside those houses.

Several years ago she attended a Community Renewal block party on a nearby street and then attended another one and then realized she could and should step out as a leader in connecting neighbors on her street.

“The more I got involved, the more I realized it helped me to get to know other people. It got me out of my comfort zone and I took a leap of faith. And now I know so many of my neighbors and I am so grateful,” she said. “My life has been forever changed. I am a lot more confident and I am a lot more selfless. I think about others a lot more and am living out what God would want me to do.

We are all different and by knowing each other, we can better help each other.” – Barbara Zaffater

“Since getting involved with Community Renewal I have been so blessed. After having block parties in my neighborhood, I got to meet more neighbors and now after being involved for over 10 years, I practically know everyone in my neighborhood. It’s so wonderful to be a part of something that helps me to be intentional about loving my neighbors.”

Those efforts have expanded to include Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July and other events. And they have become a part of everyday life, so that neighbors connect not just on special occasions, but on every day of the week.

“If you know your neighbors, you have a better understanding of them. We are all different and by knowing each other, we can better help each other. If someone is sick in their family and I know them, I can help. It’s just a lovely relationship,” she said.
“My hope is that people’s eyes are opened and they realize that it’s going to take all of us to make a difference. The only way it will happen is if people take the initiative to make a difference.”

Neighbors also come together to help others, especially the children, teens and families involved at the Community Renewal Cedar Grove Friendship Houses. There have been Christmas parties, backpack giveaways, birthday celebrations and much more.
“We sponsored kids at Christmas and delivered presents and I got to know the kids. And I loved that. Then we got my son’s service organization to help tutor kids,” she said.

“I came and I was asked to read to this little girl who was in the fourth grade. I did and I realized that this little girl could not read. And that’s how my heart opened up to these kids. I realized how sad it is that here we are in America and there are children who go to school every day, yet they don’t know how to read. The only way that can change is if people like me care. That’s what really encouraged me to be involved at the Friendship House.”

Now when Barbara stops by the Friendship House, she’s like part of the family.

“These children at the Friendship House have so much love. They give me so much love and they are so caring. They are wonderful kids who just need direction and someone to help them,” she said. “They have so much potential. I have great love for them and they have great love for me in return and there is nothing like it. It makes me feel wonderful. I am so blessed to know them.”