Meeting : Dec 21, 2009

Meeting Dec 21, 2009

Don Phan, District 6200 Ambassadorial Scholar to Singapore spoke to us about his work and adventures in Asia. He provided first hand insight to a part of the world that many of us do not know, or have skewed memories of. From his academic home in Singapore he across India by train and enjoyed the hospitality of several Rotary Clubs. He also took the occasion to visit his mothers native country of Viet Nam. We had a delightful time getting to know this extra ordinary young man. Dist Governor Greg Landry and Assistant Governor Harold Domingue were also in attendance.

---

Program Summary – December 7
Speaker: Maria Placer
Topic: 232-HELP http://www.232-help.org/

Maria Placer Meeting 7 Dec 2010

Maria Placer is a former TV 10 newscaster who now runs 232-HELP / 211, Southwest Louisiana’s comprehensive Information and Referral (I&R) Center. At TV 10, Ms. Placer served as an informal ombudsman to get help for folks featured in some broadcasts. So 232-HELP is a perfect fit. She leads a staff of 8 not including volunteers (who complete a required certification course).

232-HELP assists Louisianan’s with a variety of problems and critical needs requiring immediate help. Placer described some of the current needs including concerns about the H1N1 flu pandemic, the impact of the recession on food stocks at the Second Harvest Food Bank, and help with mortgage foreclosures.

232-HELP marshals pro-bono services from lawyers, doctors and dentists. More than sixty dentists participate. During emergencies, like hurricanes, their center provides information about evacuation routes, shelters, and sources for food, gasoline, ice and tarpaulins.

State funds have helped them install a sophisticated telephone system. This system enables similar organizations located in other areas, even as far away as San Diego, to “plug in” to provide help during major emergencies – and vice versa. The center received over 50,000 calls during the Gustav & Ike hurricanes in 2008. 232-HELP is negotiating with the State of Louisiana to operate a number of the state’s 800 telephone numbers.

232-HELP is moving their Referral and Education Center to a new office location in downtown Lafayette – the former Bell’s Sporting Goods store.

So when you need help in South Louisiana, 232-HELP is the logical place to start.