Let’s Make Waves began with the concept of stirring the water to draw attention to mental health issues here in Lafayette, Louisiana and our surrounding area. Our desire has always been to awaken society to the mental health issues many adults face on a daily basis here in Acadiana. Our efforts are to rid our community of the shame surrounding mental illness and make mental health an everyday topic in households while providing a haven for those who struggle with this impairment. Our goal is to raise awareness to everyone within our community, so each person understands, mental illness affects every individual in society, whether directly or indirectly. Mental illness is a serious matter and our intention is focused on providing an environment where members are involved in a structured work-order day where they feel included and are given a purpose.
Our first Let’s Make Waves fundraiser, held July 25, 2019, at the Petroleum Center, was successful and the community’s involvement blessed us with the opportunity to open the doors to our Clubhouse in mid-December. Even Senator Fred Mills recognized the importance of mental illness awareness and was graciously our keynote speaker for the event.
Sadly, Covid came along and we were not allowed to open the doors for much of this year, but we refuse to allow this to daunt us. We are progressing forward, stronger than ever, opening our doors Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and are even planning events outside the clubhouse for members.
Due to Covid, our keynote speaker is not lined up yet, but dining, door prizes, auction and all the other events are scheduled.
In the future, it is our intent to hold Let’s Make Waves in the month of May, the official month for Mental Health Awareness.
Our first Let’s Make Waves fundraiser, held July 25, 2019, at the Petroleum Center, was successful and the community’s involvement blessed us with the opportunity to open the doors to our Clubhouse in mid-December. Even Senator Fred Mills recognized the importance of mental illness awareness and was graciously our keynote speaker for the event.
Sadly, Covid came along and we were not allowed to open the doors for much of this year, but we refuse to allow this to daunt us. We are progressing forward, stronger than ever, opening our doors Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and are even planning events outside the clubhouse for members.
Due to Covid, our keynote speaker is not lined up yet, but dining, door prizes, auction and all the other events are scheduled.
In the future, it is our intent to hold Let’s Make Waves in the month of May, the official month for Mental Health Awareness.
1st ANNUAL
LET'S MAKE WAVES
FUNDRAISER
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LET'S MAKE WAVES 2019
When determining how to present our best foot forward and reach people about our mission, one goal remained at the surface. We wanted to stir awareness about mental illness, and its affects within our community! Hence, our initial LET’S MAKE WAVES came to fruition. Though the clubhouse was a new concept and we had no actual building or the funds to claim a clubhouse location, we knew a strong message was there to receive. Everyone involved worked diligently to make the event successful. Through this success, we were able to open doors last December.
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We would like to note a special thank you to our Louisiana Senator, Fred Mills, who was our Keynote Speaker for the event. He was proud to be a part of our first annual fundraiser for FOCUS Clubhouse and he addressed facts regarding the lack of opportunities for adults living with mental illness in Acadiana. There was a short program provided by Founder, Clarice Gallegos, and then VP, Rachel Foreman, expressing the purpose of a Clubhouse and the obstacles the mentally ill community and the Clubhouse model faced. We were grateful to hold our venue at The Petroleum Club.
A warm thanks to Dr. Brian Campbell who hosted our live auction. He was a memorable auctioneer and we would have been delighted for him to assist again this year. Unfortunately, Covid has his life where he is unable to attend, but we cannot thank him enough for his previous. participation. We had several interesting items to auction. From football and famous recording artist memorabilia to handmade pieces like the beautiful cross Sophie Thompson made, we rejoiced in the outpouring of participation involved. We even auctioned off a piece of coal from the original Titanic! We knew we were blessed and thus a tradition began!
But we truly cannot thank the community enough for their involvement. It is due to your outpouring and generosity we could open our doors at the end of 2019, and we now look forward to hosting the event in 2020. Please contact us should you feel you can assist us in any manner.
Thank you,
Clarice Gallegos / Founder of FOCUS Clubhouse
A warm thanks to Dr. Brian Campbell who hosted our live auction. He was a memorable auctioneer and we would have been delighted for him to assist again this year. Unfortunately, Covid has his life where he is unable to attend, but we cannot thank him enough for his previous. participation. We had several interesting items to auction. From football and famous recording artist memorabilia to handmade pieces like the beautiful cross Sophie Thompson made, we rejoiced in the outpouring of participation involved. We even auctioned off a piece of coal from the original Titanic! We knew we were blessed and thus a tradition began!
But we truly cannot thank the community enough for their involvement. It is due to your outpouring and generosity we could open our doors at the end of 2019, and we now look forward to hosting the event in 2020. Please contact us should you feel you can assist us in any manner.
Thank you,
Clarice Gallegos / Founder of FOCUS Clubhouse
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