Helping area youth succeed

By: HEATHER BOGARD
Lifestyles Editor

Christa Noel Ardoin’s vision for Leading Youth Forging Excellence Inc. (LYFE Inc.) began when she saw a need in her native Mamou community. She recalls her teachers showing the children how to be properly dressed and used this memory as a jumping off point to begin an organization to help the youth of Mamou and the surrounding areas succeed in life by teaching them basic life skills, such as how to properly dress and carry yourself for a job interview.
“As a mental health professional,” Ardoin says, “I understand the social pressures, psychological stresses and physical changes that can make a child feel awkward, depressed and anxious. That’s why I formed this organization to strive for positive social change.”
Ardoin states that “LYFE is a revolutionary, non-profit movement to mentor, lead and nurture youth into becoming contributory and responsible citizens.”
The group’s mission statement, “We at Leading Youth Forging Excellence Inc. believe in equipping our youth with the tools needed to persevere and excel, yielding mentally and socially accountable adults who will in turn build a better and brighter future for all,” Ardoin says, “Truly personifies its staff, mentors and participants.” She continues, “The goal of the organization is to aid youth emotionally, financially, physically and spiritually through fund raisers, events, scholarships and informative seminars led by mentors the youth can relate to.”
Sessions are held on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the “egret building” at the corner of Ninth and Main Streets. Ages 13-18 are welcome to participate in the sessions, which discuss age-appropriate topics; and scholarship opportunities are now available to those students. The group also gets involved in the community through various projects, such as putting together care packages for the less fortunate of the community. Ardoin says the group has had a wonderful response thus far and would love for more people to get involved.
As president and CEO of the group formed in July, Ardoin is passionate and well-appointed with advanced education in the field of human and social services and children’s mental health. She enjoys working with youth of the community and says, “I am never more satisfied than when a child has been inspired by me or helped by my organization.” She has earned three college degrees, including criminal justice (associate’s degree from Louisiana Technical College) and public administration with an emphasis in law and human services and criminal justice (bachelor’s degree from Upper Iowa University and master’s degree from Walden University). She believes in continuing education and is currently working on her Ph.D prospectus in human and social services with a specialization in clinical social work from Walden University. She is a member of Tau Upsilon Alpha Honor Society and NOHS (National Organization for Human Services). She is the daughter of Mae Dora Noel and the late Howard Noel of Mamou.
Also serving on the board of LYFE Inc. are Terri Honore’ of Mamou, treasurer; Carla Washington Pierite of Oakdale, secretary; David Davis of Mansfield, director/mentor; and Mae Noel, mentor. The board of five members holds yearly elections and they must qualify for the position through having at least a bachelor’s degree and experience in their field.
Honore’ is the daughter of Evelyn and Darren Honore’ Sr. of Mamou. She received a degree in business from Louisiana Technical College in 2012 and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management from Southern University.
Pierite is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Russell Washington of Oakdale. She received a degree in nursing from Louisiana Technical College and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a specialization in pediatric anesthesiology.
Davis is the son of Willie and Minnie Davis of Mansfield. He received a bachelor’s degree in child and family studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a master’s degree in student personnel services administration from Northwestern State University.
Members of the LYFE board have the ultimate goal of becoming an organization vital to the community of Mamou and the surrounding areas. The board is asking for the support of the community through monetary donations and time spent volunteering with the organization. Teens, parents, adults and teachers are all welcome to volunteer. Ardoin states, “This organization is 100 percent non-profit, which means all proceeds go back into helping the children in the community. I am proud to serve as a volunteer of this organization and I hope the community will be inspired to give back through this wonderful organization.”