Junior League of Lafayette President’s Signature Project

By: Ashley Citron Youtsas, Active Member

Junior League of Lafayette's commitment to our Mission of lasting community change is evident in each president’s signature project. 

This year, President Roya Boustany had a two part signature project: the completion of care closets at the Jackie and Granberry Clubs of Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana (BGCA) and an insect farm at Fightingville Fresh Market. 

For the BCGA project, the Jackie Unit’s closet received a Junior League-style makeover. Volunteers painted the closet bright, fun colors.  The Granberry Club will be provided with a new free standing storage closet - both will be filled with needed daily essentials for the children and their families. 

In early May, Boustany and Community Collaboration Step-Up Chair Mollie Broussard attended the unveiling ceremony for the care closet at the Jackie Unit. The unit’s director, CEO Rhyan Wheeler, and several BGCA Board Members and staff members were in attendance. 

“Boys & Girls Club is an essential and vital part of our community,” Boustany, who also served as a former Board Member of BGCA, said. “We thank you, Boys & Girls Club, and appreciate the work you do. We are proud to be a part of the movement.” 

Junior League of Lafayette is also expanding its community collaboration by working with Fightingville Fresh Market for the first time in League history. The League assisted this community garden hub in establishing a family-friendly insect composting and recycling facility. This will be a way to demonstrate sustainability in the community through education. Junior League of Lafayette provided paint, building supplies, and insects for the project. In late April, League volunteers painted a mural and wooden structures to house the insects. 

“I am thrilled that Junior League of Lafayette was able to continue its long-standing partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Acadiana and expand our community outreach through a new partnership with Fightingville Fresh,” Broussard said. 

Broussard, who served as project chair for both collaborations, was so grateful to help Boustany bring her projects to life. 

“It was a pleasure to collaborate with these two organizations and see their visions come to life,” Broussard said.  “These two projects have long term reach.” 

The care closet relies on the generosity of donations to sustain its mission. Individuals interested in contributing are encouraged to reach out to Eboney Breaux at ebreaux@bgacadiana.com or call the BGCA Administrative office at 337.268.9555. 

Fightingville Fresh Market is a neighborhood market located at 315 W. Simcoe Street in Lafayette that aims to bring local produce and products to the Fightingville community and beyond. Those wanting to help this farmer-driven market succeed can reach out to Kim Culotta at fightingvillefresh@gmail.com.