ANCHOR THE BAYOU
Assessing Needs and Capacity in Historically Overlooked Regions of the Bayou
ANCHOR the Bayou is Bayou Community Foundation’s grassroots initiative to listen, learn, and take action on the challenges and opportunities facing residents in South Lafourche and South Terrebonne.
We are excited to share that Phase 1: Needs Assessment Phase of ANCHOR the Bayou has been successfully completed!
We are excited to share that Phase I: Needs Assessment Phase of ANCHOR the Bayou has been successfully completed!
This phase helped us better understand the priorities, gaps, and opportunities in South Lafourche and South Terrebonne, ensuring our work is guided by community needs.
We are now moving into Phase II: Strategic Planning Phase, where we will develop actionable strategies to strengthen local resilience and address identified needs. This transition to Phase II, has led to a name change from Assessing to Addressing Needs and Capacity.
At the same time, we are beginning Phase III: Capacity Building, which starts with identifying our Leadership Cohort — a group of dedicated community members who will help guide and implement resilience initiatives in their neighborhoods.
Are you passionate about strengthening your community and helping shape the future of South Lafourche and South Terrebonne? We invite you to submit an application of interest to join the ANCHOR the Bayou Leadership Cohort. The cohort will be chosen at the end of December 2025. Apply to the Join the Leadership Cohort HERE.
Leadership Cohort: Role & Responsibilities
The ANCHOR the Bayou Leadership Cohort is designed to empower community members to take an active role in building local resilience and capacity.
Cohort Responsibilities:
- Attend 2–3 educational sessions (approximately 3 hours each, January -June 2026) and actively engage in discussions and learning activities.
- Participate in up to 2 community action events ( January -June 2026) that support resilience initiatives.
- Collaborate with fellow cohort members to share ideas, experiences, and strategies for strengthening the community.
- The cohort will consist of up to 20 members.
- Members’ participation will directly contribute to building resilience and capacity in South Lafourche and South Terrebonne.
- Must live and/or work in South Lafourche or South Terrebonne
By joining the Leadership Cohort, members will gain leadership experience, contribute to meaningful community projects, and help shape solutions that address local challenges.
Stay Tuned for Strategic Plan in January 2026.
Listening to Our Communities
In April and May 2025, BCF hosted a series of ANCHOR the Bayou Community Open Houses in the towns of Cut Off, Bourg and East Houma, where neighbors shared stories, voiced concerns and offered ideas on critical issues like housing, transportation, health care, food security and economic opportunity.
These open, welcoming gatherings provided a space for residents to connect with each other and with community leaders, sharing what is working in our region, identifying the challenges that remain and offering hopeful solutions to build a coastal community WHERE ALL CAN THRIVE!
Why ANCHOR the Bayou Matters
Your voice shapes the future. The conversations we have had so far are just the beginning of a long-term effort to strengthen our Bayou communities by:
✅ Identifying key challenges and needs
✅ Shaping future solutions and BCF initiatives
✅ Building connections among residents, nonprofits, and local leaders
A community survey will launch soon to continue gathering your input on what our region needs most.
This Project is Made Possible By Community Partnerships
We are grateful to the Community Resilience Center at The Water Institute for partnering with BCF on this important project and to the American Red Cross of Louisiana for providing meals during these community gatherings. We would also like to give special thanks to Hope Community Church, Popie’s Palace and the Terrebonne Parish Library System’s South Regional Branch for hosting these conversations.
