The non-profit Southwest Louisiana Adult and Adolescent Resource Services (SLAARS) can now help more people than ever with its new facilities and expanded reach.

SLAARS is a hub that provides resources to nurture the whole human. At-risk and underserved citizens can contact SLAARS for literacy and GED tutoring, college prep, rehabilitation services and job search assistance. It also offers a 10-week entrepreneurship course, a weekly discipleship class and mental health services through Kingdom Expressions Clinic, 1634 Ryan St.

SLAARS Founder and Director Cathy Gauthier, a bail bondsman for 25 years, has provided one-on-one assistance to in-need community members since 2015.

“I saw so many people that needed help in the jails, so I just began to work with people,” she recalled. “I saw the literacy level being so low in our community.”

With her retirement around the corner, she decided to expand her services. SLAARS has partnered with the Calcasieu Correctional Center and Kingdom Expressions to open as many assistance channels as possible.

“Everybody has a different need, so we’re trying to find a way to meet every need.”

Vice President and Discipleship Teacher Matthew Sykes said the program “caters to wholeness.” Their new location, 1614 Hwy. 14, has computers set up for participants. SLAARS offers computer-based programs that help participants determine their reading level and build lesson plans to “help them grow wherever they are.”

Shakera McKenzie, CEO, Kingdom Expressions Clinic, explained that low literacy levels and mental health challenges are tightly woven.

“Southwest Louisiana has a significant adult population struggling with literacy, which leaves them feeling inadequate, anxious and depressed,” she said. “Adults struggling with literacy face greater mental health challenges as they struggle to find stable employment, feel isolated and face barriers in accessing resources.”

This phenomenon has long-term negative impacts on the community by “perpetuating the cycle of poverty, poor mental health and unemployment.”

SLAARS tackles both issues head-on by offering tutoring and mental health services with a “purpose-oriented” approach for children and adults.

“We believe that where purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable”

Jacqueline Roberts, a retired educator of 25 years, said it is important to focus on more than the educational aspect to help underserved citizens become “more productive citizens.

“I think in order to have a rich community you need to have a rich input from your citizens.

“Being able to teach to the students beyond their educational needs helps to dominate and put them in a better position to serve as little problem solvers and community citizens.”

By working with the Calcasieu Correctional Center, SLAARS can directly help those incarcerated before they are released to help with their transition.

They gather information from inmates close to their release date to curate custom plans to assist them.

“We’re not just trying to help them with their education and jobs, we’re also trying to help them with their character and integrity so that you can see real change in the community,” Skyes said.

“Our objective is to cut the recidivism rate as much as we possibly can,” Gauthier said.

SLAARS is always seeking other organizations to partner with, she said.

Former Educator Ronald Blanchard, public relations, SLAARS, believes it takes a passionate, united collective to make a difference.

“When you can get a body of people on board and are willing to give their time, energy and experiences, you can move mountains,” he said. “It’s necessary to build the character of these individuals of our community to make them feel that they’re as important as anyone else.”

Those utilizing SLAARS pay a $25 intake fee; Payment plans are available. Those taking the entrepreneurship course pay about $30 for books.

Grant opportunities are available for participants. To determine eligibility, participants take a mental health pre-assessment.

McKenzie said that through SLAARS and Kingdom Expressions combined, they have helped over 1,000 people since 2016.

To explore SLAARS’ services, call 337-990-5733 or 337-496-6219, or visit www.swlaresourceservices.com.

To learn more about Kingdom Expressions, visit www.thekeway.com.