Laure Derr introduced guest speaker Jennifer Luna to the Kiwanis club at the November 9th meeting at the Pea Patch. She received her education from Texas A & M University where she specialized in non- profit management. She worked for the Texas Attorney General’s office and also the Children’s Advocacy Center in Washington, D.C. And trafficking safe homes in the Philippines. She is now the Executive Director of the Women’s Resource Center in Natchitoches. They received the Best Nonprofit Award in 2020.
Mrs. Luna has been associated with the Women’s Resource Center for about 1 ½ years. The Women’s Resource Center is faith-based and is a 100% free and confidential pregnancy resource. They educate and empower women to make life affirming choices. Available at the center are pregnancy tests, free ultrasounds, counseling, baby supplies, etc. The center has resources that deal with doctors, the housing authority, university scholarships, and educational resources. There are car seat safety classes and free car seats. They offer breast feeding classes and other classes for new mothers. They seek to educate toward a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. The center cares about mind, heart, body and spiritual life.
In the summer they see a spike of teenage patients. They offer free counseling and scholarships.
They show care through all phases of life, even after the birth of the baby. Their goal is to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this ministry.
They have 2 big events-a Gala which was held a few weeks ago and a 5K which will be held in May.
These events are free. They accept donations of money and also of baby clothes and other baby items. The Kiwanis club made a monetary donation to Mrs. Luna for the Women’s Resource Center.
This service is available to women in Winn Parish and 40-50 women have taken advantage of it over the past year.
Pictured Above: Laure Derr Board of Directors Women’s Resource Center, Jennifer Luna Executive Director Women’s Resource Center, Lamar Tarver, Kiwanis President
