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Getting to work every day is something many of us take for granted. But for survivors of trauma and those navigating life after a crisis, just showing up to work or class can feel like an overwhelming feat. The financial weight of a daily commute, the isolation of sitting alone in traffic, and the mental load of managing it all can quietly chip away at a person's ability to heal, grow, and thrive. That's where Commuter Krewe comes in — and why it matters beyond the issue of traffic congestion. Listen to a great conversation LaFASA has with Kenyatta Robertson, Commuter Krewe Program Director and “CJ” Jones, Commuter Krewe's Sr. Outreach Coordinator. Note: Commuter Krewe is for EVERYONE! You can find more information about them at https://www.commuterkrewe.la/

Tracy Matheson is the president and founder of Project Beloved. Her daughter, Molly, was raped and murdered in 2017 - truly a parent's worst nightmare. Molly's story can be found at this link. But, what we focus on in this conversation is the amazing things her mother has done to make healing for sexual assault survivors more attainable in the aftermath of trauma. Through Project Beloved, survivors have access to new and fresh clothing after a forensic exam and when they report to law enforcement, they can do so in a soft interview room that invokes emotions stemmed from warmth and safety-and this room provided in full by Project Beloved. UL Lafayette and LSU campus police are two Louisiana recipients of this organization's philanthropy. You can get to know Molly Jane on the Project Beloved link here. If you would like to know more about soft interview rooms, Beloved bundles, and more, visit ProjectBeloved.org.

Demi R. has had to go through more challenges in life than many of us could possibly imagine. Her survivor story starts at 16 when she was raped at gunpoint by someone she had met only three times, and from there the hurdles got higher and continue to this day. Finally, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but being true to herself, she has put herself through school achieving her law degree. With this platform, she create Third Life Consulting so that she can use her life experiences combined with her education to advocate for others and show others how to advocate for themselves. We know you won't want to miss this episode. If you are interested in finding out more about Third Life Consulting, please visit the website at: https://payhip.com/ThirdLifeConsulting

In this episode, we sit down with La Tavia Roberts, Events & Philanthropy Assistant Manager at the Baton Rouge location of Kendra Scott, to explore the remarkable story behind one of today's most beloved jewelry brands. While Kendra Scott's pieces are undeniably beautiful—featuring vibrant gemstones and elegant designs that have captured hearts worldwide—there's a profound purpose that runs much deeper than aesthetic appeal. Through their philanthropic foundation, Kendra Scott has woven giving back into the very fabric of her brand identity, transforming beautiful jewelry into a powerful vehicle for community impact and positive change. Our guest shares insights into how this foundation operates at the local level, the meaningful partnerships they've forged, the way this mission is exemplified with each employee, and how every piece of jewelry represents not just personal style, but a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others...especially organizations that benefit women and families. LaFASA knows first hand of their generosity and we want you to get to know Kendra Scott, too. For more information you can visit the store at 10156 Perkins Rowe, Suite 150, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, or call at 225-384-5157, or visit the website at kendrascott.com Kendra Scott: A Top 100 Most Loved Workplace 2022 & 2023

Under the shadow of the Madison Brooks tragedy, Girls Rides at LSU was started by a few students who saw a way they could share rides with each other so they would feel safe, reduce the possibility of being harmed and in effect they could help each other out economically and grow relationships. The model that they have set up has grown exponentially. Listen to this great story of ingenuity and community spirit (as the host powers through a cold medicine influenced interview). If you are a student at a Louisiana university or college, you'll want to listen so that you can start a Girls Rides chapter at your school. To get in touch you can find them at: https://www.instagram.com/girlsrideslsu/ https://linktr.ee/girlsrides

Do you lack confidence and constantly compare yourself to the things you are not? As humans, many of us don't feel like we are in a place where we want to be physically and emotionally, and trauma only compounds these feelings of inadequacy. If you're in that phase, we are here to bring you out. Inspired by a real-life body shaming experience, this podcast focuses on not shaming ourselves and being better humans to others. Lynn Duhe with The Miracle Wellness Center, Whitney Andrus with Half Belly Health and Lydia Matthews with Est-Her Clothing boutique join LaFASA in a real deep dive conversation about nutrition, how to dress yourself to look your best, and dealing with the trauma that effects your health. The contributors to this conversation want you to love yourself in the "right now" regardless of whether you're on a journey of betterment or just living in a day to day routine. Dress for where you are right now in your journey, don't let food be a stress trigger, and recognize the various ways you can address your health. We also talk about how to acknowledge someone's hard work towards a better lifestyle, without focusing on their physical aspects. In short, you won't want to miss his is a great conversation focussing on building your confidence and being a positive person about you and those around you. Lynn, Lydia, and Whitney are available to answer any questions you may have after hearing this conversation. Get a glimpse of the conversation here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_O0AuOupdc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Since we began recording podcasts, LaFASA has had quite a bit of change in personnel. You'll hear some familiar voices, but also new voices and learn about new positions. Listen as we talk serious, and cut loose, get to know the people at LaFASA in 2024.

Are you living your optimal life? Maybe you're experiencing pain or other maladies that affect you and prevent you from living the way you want to live. Did you know that your mind plays a huge role in your physical health and that the body can show physical symptoms manifested from past trauma or from living with secondary trauma as a care-taker? Lynn Duhe with the Miracle Wellness Center joins LaFASA on our podcast, Keepin' It Teal, to discuss how this happens and how a holistic approach can help your body function at optimum levels. We are excited that we could talk with her during May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. For more information about the Miracle Wellness Center, go to miraclecenterbr.com

LaFASA talks with Ashley Baustert, mother of Madison Brooks, the LSU sophomore who was sexually assaulted and left on a dark highway without a cell phone. Ashley talks about who Madison was and how she continues to make a difference in the lives of others through the Madison Brooks Foundation. LaFASA is always impressing the point that prevention lies in stopping the power imbalances that result in assault. However, that doesn't diminish the importance of by-stander intervention. Bystander intervention is in real-time prevention efforts. For information about how you can help as a bystander, visit LaFASA's page here.

Zoe Fay-Stindt's poetry has appeared in museum galleries, on the radio, on the streets of small towns, in community farm newsletters, and other strange and wonderful places. Their work has also been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and has been featured in RHINO, Muzzle, VIDA, Southeast Review, The Florida Review, Ninth Letter, Poet Lore, and others as well as gathered into a chapbook, Bird Body, which won the inaugural Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Prize with Cordella Press. Join us in this podcast and Zoe reads passages from Bird Body and we discuss the meaning of her words taken from the pages, Bird Body, a chapbook of her poetry written to heal from her own sexual assault. You can find Bird Body at https://www.cordella.org/products/bird-body

Dogs are the best. It's been shown that the friendship of a dog can decrease stress, increase endorphins, and increase our life expectancy. For those who have suffered trauma in some capacity, dogs are especially beneficial and Service Dogs can enhance their independence and healing process in ways other methods, such as counseling and therapy, can't. However, service dogs can be incredibly expensive (and rightly so) and without the help of grants or loans, many are not able to experience that type of companionship. This poses a hurdle, that for some is too high to clear. However, Dog Training Elite can make Service Dogs accessible to a much larger percentage of those in need. Their method is to train a dog and owner as a team to achieve the goal of the handler's own dog becoming their service dog. By using positive training methods, they empower both owner/handler and dog to be an outstanding team committed to each other.   One last note, if you have a dog, but you're not experiencing joy from your dog, it could be you just need a little help in recognizing what kind of training your dog needs. Betsy and Ed can assess your dog and offer suggestions so that you have the best relationship possible with your dog. Betsy Feaster and her husband, Ed Erb, are veterans with a passion for dogs and for helping the community. We invite you to listen to this conversation and find out about Emotional Support Dogs, Therapy Dogs, and Service Dogs and just how awesome dogs are in general. Dog Training Elite Southeast Louisiana [email protected] The Malinois Foundation September is Service Dog Awareness Month and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Did you know that most government programs cannot help prevent homelessness? They are structured to help someone who has already received an eviction notice. While government programs can be a safety net, the primary goal is prevention. Hope Ministries is an organization with amazing and dedicated people who want to help people from becoming homeless. This is important in the sexual assault movement because when people are put in compromised situations, such as facing homelessness or being on "the streets," they are in survival mode which can lead to actions that result in sexual assault, among other victimizations. Hope Ministries has programs in Baton Rouge as well as statewide, that promote human dignity by empowering people with resources and programs that give the skills necessary to maintain employment and housing and present a solution to generational poverty. You'll definitely want to learn more about this amazing organization and the programs they offer by listening to this episode.  If you're interested in finding out more about Hope Ministries go to HopeBR.org or call 225.355.0702. Below are some of their programs and workshops: The Way to Work© is a client-centered program that provides a structured environment to help participants achieve and maintain employment, housing, financial and family stability. HOPE’s Success, Financial, and Career coaches work with participants to identify issues that lead to crisis and contribute to instability, then formulate a plan to overcome barriers to employment. Going Beyond© is a workforce training program. This workshop series educates employees on the workplace fundamentals and expectations of their employers, including the importance of attendance, attitude, conflict resolution, critical thinking, communication, and much more. Understanding your Workforce© is a customized professional development training for companies’ executive, mid-level, and line supervisors to help employers increase retention and productivity. Understanding the Dynamics of Poverty© is HOPE’s professional development training. It is a six-hour interactive training for social workers, teachers, clergy and anyone who wants to understand how generational poverty impacts our community.

LaFASA has added text-based contact for crisis and general assistance to it's Helpline. This is amazing and adds another dimension to the ways that survivors can get help. In this podcast we talk with Katie Boleware, the program's coordinator, and her intern Courtney, about how the program got started, was formed, the volunteers, who we encourage to call, and how things are going. Below is information on how to contact the Helpline. LaFASA offers free and confidential support to all survivors and their loved ones statewide through our helpline.  We encourage you to contact us in the manner that is most comfortable and works best for you. I would like to speak with an advocate: 1-888-995-7372 (english & spanish) 24 hrs/7days per week I would like to text an advocate: 225-351-SAFE (7233) M-Th 12N-8PM (not available on holidays) I would prefer to chat online with an advocate. Click Here. M-Th 12N-8PM (not available on holidays) Trained crisis support specialists are available for immediate intervention, general support, or to give information in finding long-term support.

Being grateful has some pretty awesome side effects. Let's talk about those things.