(Houma, LA) – Housing, education-to-career pathways, and mental health services are among the top priorities identified by residents to strengthen the resilience of South Lafourche and South Terrebonne communities, according to Bayou Community Foundation’s ANCHOR the Bayou Strategic Plan released today. Read HERE.
The report, Strategies for Increased Resilience in South Lafourche and South Terrebonne, culminates a year-long effort by Bayou Community Foundation and its ANCHOR the Bayou partner, Community Resilience Center at The Water Institute, to gather community input on local challenges, strengths, and opportunities for building long-term resilience in these historically overlooked bayou communities. The data-driven report is intended as a resource for agencies, organizations, and institutions advancing resilience and sustainability efforts throughout Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes.
“Resilience is not only about surviving the next storm. It is about ensuring that families have safe and affordable housing, access to healthcare, career pathways, programs for youth and more to sustain and grow our community now and for generations,” said Bayou Community Foundation President and CEO Jennifer Armand. “Through our ANCHOR the Bayou program and this strategic plan, we are elevating community voices to cultivate community-driven initiatives that help expand access to critical resources and grow opportunities for South Lafourche and South Terrebonne residents to thrive.”
“The strategies and actions outlined in this report recognize the many strengths that already exist across the Bayou Region. They also reflect the understanding that resilience is shaped by more than a single challenge,” said Renee Collini, Director of the Community Resilience Center. “We are honored to partner with Bayou Community Foundation through ANCHOR the Bayou to support the development and implementation of community-focused resilience strategies. And we are excited to see the momentum continue to grow as community members and local leaders advance the strategies outlined in the plan.”
ANCHOR the Bayou (Addressing Needs and Capacity in Historically Overlooked Regions of the Bayou) is Bayou Community Foundation’s community-led initiative in coordination with The Water Institute’s Community Resilience Center Catalyst Program to build long-term resilience in South Lafourche and South Terrebonne. The strategic plan reflects input from residents gathered through a community-wide survey, listening sessions, and focus groups conducted in 2025. Residents identified strong family ties, cultural traditions, and churches and local nonprofit organizations as key community assets. They also highlighted the following priorities for strengthening the region’s social infrastructure:
- Affordable and Safe Housing – Concerns about insurance costs, rent and home prices, and the availability of safe, affordable housing options were cited.
- Education-to-Career Pathways – Workforce training and job placement were identified as the most helpful economic and job stability strategy, reflecting the importance of strengthening connections between education, training, and employment opportunities.
- Spaces and Programming for Youth and Families – Responses highlighted the ongoing need to expand and strengthen community spaces and programs so that all young people and families can benefit from safe places to learn, play, and connect.
- Mental Health and Healthcare Services Access – Residents identified several challenges related to accessing local care including mental health services, and substance use treatment, health insurance coverage, and food insecurity.
- Disaster and Hazard Preparedness – Residents reported rising insurance costs, damage to infrastructure, increased utility costs, and housing loss as top concerns, pointing to opportunities to strengthen disaster preparedness and response to support community resilience.
- Community Connection and Access – Reliable transportation and dependable internet service are essential to community connection. These systems are particularly critical in southern Lafourche and Lafourche because many essential services and resources are located miles north or in neighboring parishes.
“These priorities reflect challenges many South Lafourche and South Terrebonne residents like me experience every day, but we now have roadmap for a more resilient future. That is why I am excited to move into our next phase of ANCHOR the Bayou, building resilience skills with our leadership cohort and developing pilot projects that address these priority issues,” says Elizabeth Daigle, Bayou Community Foundation Program Manager for ANCHOR. “As a South Lafourche resident myself, I truly value this unique opportunity to strengthen the vital ‘human infrastructure’ of our irreplaceable bayou communities.”
“We are very excited to see the momentum continue to grow as community members and local leaders advance the strategies outlined in the plan,” said Kathryn Keating, Social Scientist with the Community Resilience Center.
ANCHOR the Bayou is now supporting a cohort of local residents and community leaders as they build leadership and resilience skills, deepen connections with community organizations, and help identify and implement pilot projects aligned with the strategic plan’s priorities.
For more information, visit www.bayoucf.org/anchor/.
