Gulf Coast Marketplace founder and Options for Independence CEO, Barry Chauvin, featured in upcoming BP community recovery video
Posted: April 27, 2012 Filed under: @gulfcoastmarket, Gulf Coast Marketplace, Louisiana, Options for Independence 1 Comment »
BP recently began developing a video featuring the outstanding community recovery work led by Options for Independence and their CEO, Barry Chauvin. Options for Independence is a not-for-profit social services agency based in Houma, Louisiana. Options provides crisis counseling, workforce development and other solutions designed to assist individuals and families impacted by disaster and experiencing barriers to success in Louisiana.
Options has helped individuals and families impacted by hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Gustov. Most recently they have been very involved with community recovery projects throughout Louisiana as a result of the Gulf Coast oil spill disaster.
In September 2011, Options for Independence launched the Gulf Coast Marketplace, an e-commerce solution for community recovery. The Gulf Coast Markeplace is a web platform designed to help Louisiana artists, craftsmen and micro-enterprises deliver their products to a global market.
Leadership from Louisiana businesses and economic development serve on the advisory panel for the Gulf Coast Marketplace and BP contributes as a major sponsor for the community recovery project. In addition, a team of graduate students from the University of New Orleans College of Business is also assisting Options for Independence by providing business development strategy for the project.
The BP video will feature some of the artists that have benefitted from the Gulf Coast Marketplace. Learn more about the many artists, craftsmen and micro-enterprises featured in the project on BayouResilience.com.
www.thegulfcoastmarkeplace.org
Josh Garrett Review: “becoming a driving force in world of blues music”
Posted: April 4, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »Josh Garrett Music Fan Page: Check out this great review of Louisiana’s-own The Josh Garrett Band!
http://musictasting.blogspot.com/2012/04/josh-garrett-bbs-jazz-blues-and-soups.html
Brand new St. Bernard Parish Hospital expected to open in August 2012
Posted: March 21, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Community Recovery, St. Bernard Parish Hospital Leave a comment »
Artist rendering of the future St. Bernard Parish Hospital
There’s no prouder Louisiana community than that of St. Bernard Parish– and none that was more impacted by the natural and man-made disasters that have rocked the Gulf Coast. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the area. The storm damaged virtually every building including the parish hospital. This destruction forced the proud residents of St. Bernard to seek healthcare elsewhere.
Photo provided by Jessica Gonzalez, The St Bernard Voice
Expected to open its doors in August 2012, the brand new St. Bernard Parish Hospital will bring healthcare back home to this proud, historically significant community. It promises to serve as an anchoring and stabilizing force in healthcare in St. Bernard Parish and as a major catalyst for economic and community recovery.
The 113,000 square foot state of the art facility will feature 32 general medical/surgical beds and eight intensive care beds, four operating suites, two endoscopy suites, and a 10-bed emergency department. In addition, St. Bernard Parish Hospital will provide complete diagnostic imaging, laboratory and rehabilitation services.
With the patient and their loved ones in mind, considerable attention has been given to the look and feel of the hospital. Floor-to-ceiling windows in waiting areas let in natural light. Wide hallways, large rooms, flat screen TVs and softer light in patient room areas provide a higher level of comfort than what may be expected in a hospital environment.
In addition, all elements of the interior of the hospital have been designed to be as efficient as possible for the medical staff. The design team has focused on providing state-of-the-art medical technology, even taking into account how to reduce the number of steps that it takes for a medical professional to get from point A to point B when taking care of a patient.
A 60,000 square foot medical office building next to the hospital is also under development, thus making the St. Bernard Parish Hospital campus the core provider for the healthcare needs of St. Bernard Parish.
Many former residents have been hesitant to move back into St. Bernard Parish until the flood protection improved, schools were rebuilt and a health care infrastructure was in place. St. Bernard Parish Hospital will play a huge role in the economic and community recovery of the area. The construction of the hospital and the adjoining medical office building has been 100% funded through grants, tax credits and state capital outlay dollars.
For additional information about St. Bernard Parish Hospital visit www.sbph.net.
New “CO-OP” health plan would provide an affordable option for Louisiana individuals and small groups
Posted: March 13, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: ACA, Affordable Care Act, CO-OPs, Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans, Health insurance, Louisiana, Louisiana Health Cooperative 1 Comment »An executive management team, led by former Ochsner Health Plan president and CEO Terry Shilling, is planning to develop a non-profit cooperative focused on providing an affordable, consumer-friendly health plan option for Louisiana individuals and small groups (under 50 employees).
In March 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed into law, providing seed money to fund health cooperatives in all 50 states. The ACA requires that a health cooperative, known as a “Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan” (“CO-OP”) is formed as a non-profit, controlled by and operated on behalf of its members. As not-for-profit entitities, CO-OPs are likely to create competition among existing health plans and generate innovative cost control measures to make health insurance more affordable.
The “Louisiana Health Cooperative“ is now in formation and seeking approval from the state insurance department to operate as a health insurance company. If approved, it must follow all the Louisiana insurance laws and regulations. It will be directed by its customers and use profits for customer benefits.
Applications for CO-OP formation have been filed in more than half of the states. So far CO-OP awards have been issued in Iowa, Nebraska, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Wisconsin. If all applicatons for CO-OP formation are approved, 30 million Americans who are currently uninsured will have an opportunity, or option, for insurance. In addition, CO-OPs will provide an additional choice of insurance for more than 12 million workers now employed by small employers with fewer than 50 employees.
Beginning January 1, 2014, CO-OPs will be able to offer health plans through the new, competitive health care marketplaces in each state called the Affordable Insurance Exchanges. If approved, the Louisiana Health Cooperative will provide a high quality, affordable option for individuals and small groups.
Ochsner Health System is a sponsor of the Louisiana Health Cooperative. On April 2, 2012, Louisiana Health Cooperative will be filing an application with CMS/HHS and would appreciate letters of support from Louisiana individuals and small groups that would benefit from the development of this CO-OP.
For additional information about the Louisiana Health Cooperative, visit http://mylahc.org.
FREE Health Screening for cultural workers
Posted: March 12, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »In partnership with the Gulf Coast Marketplace Festival, Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation will sponsor a free health screening for cultural workers on Sunday, June 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Houma Civic Center. Testing for blood sugar (glucose), blood pressure and cholesterol, in addition to a healthy breakfast, will be provided by LCEF at the artists hospitality area. ”LCEF is excited to reach out to this part of our state with preventative testing, healthcare information and resource assistance. Houma is rich in culture. LCEF is pleased to assist with the health and well-being of its cultural community,” said Kathy Richard, LCEF Healthcare Initiative Director. For more information about LCEF healthcare services and other programs, please call 337-366-8970, email kathy@culturaleconomy.org, or go to www.culturaleconomy.org .
Vendor sign-up for the Gulf Coast Marketplace Festival has begun
Posted: January 26, 2012 Filed under: @gulfcoastmarket, Artist, BayouResilience, Craft Fair, Festival, Gulf Coast Marketplace, Louisiana, Options for Independence | Tags: BayouResilience.com, Gulf Coast Marketplace, Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, Louisiana Leave a comment »The Gulf Coast Marketplace is now accepting vendor applications for its first live festival. The Gulf Coast Marketplace Festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 23rd and Sunday, June 24th, 2012 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center (see flyer below). The festival will celebrate Louisiana’s unique culture and heritage, featuring handcrafted items by artists and craftsmen.
The indoor festival will also feature food, live music and a song-writers contest (look for details in the near future).
Each 10′ x 10′ vendor booth can be leased for $170. Gulf Coast Marketplace vendors recieve a $20 discount. Limited space is available. Vendors will be allowed to share booths.
For more information about the Gulf Coast Marketplace Festival contact Brandi LeCompte, 985-438-1231 or brandi@optionsforindependence.com.
Learn more about some of the artists, craftmen, authors, musicians and micro-enterprises now featured on the Gulf Coast Marketplace by scrolling through BayouResilience.com.
New video from Gulf Coast Marketplace artist Joycelyn Boudreaux
Posted: January 25, 2012 Filed under: @gulfcoastmarket, Artist, BayouResilience, Options for Independence, Uncategorized | Tags: #CopperheadStudios, #gulfcoastmarket, #GulfCoastMarketplace, #joycelynboudreaux, #louisianaartist, BayouResilience, Copperhead Studios Leave a comment »Check out this video post from Gulf Coast Marketplace artist, Joycelyn, Boudreaux, Copperhead Studios, Inc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_14UNUsT1lU
Learn about other Gulf Coast Marketplace artists on www.BayouResilience.com.
Follow the Gulf Coast Marketplace on Twitter @gulfcoastmarket
Jim Toups captures the essence of Louisiana wildlife in sketches
Posted: January 16, 2012 Filed under: BayouResilience, Louisiana, Options for Independence, Thibodeaux, Wildlife Sketches | Tags: Bayou, Gulf Coast Marketplace, Gulf Coast of the United States, Louisiana, South Louisiana, Thibodaux, Thibodaux Louisiana, United States Leave a comment »
Born in Thibodaux, Louisiana, Jim Toups grew up fishing and hunting in the bayous, swamps and marshes. That’s where his love of the wilderness and the wildlife of south Louisiana began. Soon, Jim began capturing the essence of Louisiana wildlife in his art.
It all started back at H. L. Bourgeious High School, where Jim was given an assignment to do a report on something unique to South Louisiana. He chose duck decoy carving. This report opened up a new door in Jim’s artistic life which lasts till this day, a desire to capture his love of waterfowl. He began carving ducks out of wood in 1984 and now he captures their beauty in sketch art.
Jim Toup’s Louisiana wildlife art is now available for view and purchase in the Gulf Coast Marketplace.
From angels on canvas to giving new-life to found treasure, Faye Lee’s art will captivate you
Posted: January 9, 2012 Filed under: Artist, BayouResilience, Gulf Coast Marketplace, Louisiana, Options for Independence | Tags: Artist, Faye Lee, Gulf Coast Marketplace, Louisiana, Mixed Media, Paintings, Venus Blue's Hideway 1 Comment »
Learn to Fly
“Have you ever done anything that you enjoyed so much that time just disappeared? That is what happens to me when I am creating. It fills a void that I have and it is a retreat from everyday life.” – Faye Lee
Faye Lee lives in Mooringsport, Louisiana. Like many artists, she works hard at a fulltime job (in construction) but her true passion is in painting her unique angels and creating art from found treasures. Faye fills her world with a collection of “artifacts” of the past that speak of a different time.
Rose Lee
She finds, excavates and gives new life to items that would otherwise end up in landfills.
“Sometimes I find an old rusty thing that wouldn’t seem to be good for anything, really…and it speaks to me. I find myself wondering what its life was behind the rusty patina. Whose hands held onto it? Are those hands still with us today?” – Faye Lee
Faye gives new life to discarded items by incorporating them into her original pieces with hope that they
Burst
will again stand the test of time. She frequently combines elements and mixes mediums. Her showcase of original art includes acrylics, oils, mixed media, jewelry, collage and salvage art.
She has named her studio of found treasures, paintings and new creations — “Venus Blues”. In addition to her unique art, Venus Blues is filled with a montage of materials, from artifacts that she excavated from a construction site, found on the road or picked up at a flea market, to old ledgers, rusty nails, and “a thousand things in between”.
“I have been accused of being a hoarder,” says Faye. “When I bring these treasures home I may not have a specific place for them. I don’t know exactly where they will end up. Sometimes, it takes a while. As I work in my studio I might pick up an item and look at it, consider the texture, color, weight. And then…one day…out of the blue…I know where that piece will go. It may inspire a piece, be the main component of a piece or be a small part of a larger piece. I can’t force the process. If I do something that I don’t really want to do, the process doesn’t flow and it is reflected in the finished piece.”
Family Tree
You can view some of her original paintings and creations on her website “Venus Blue’s Hideaway”. She also has a regular blog (venusblueshideaway.blogspot.com)by the same name. In the past year, Faye began displaying her art at Louisiana festivals. Her items are also available for view and purchase on the Gulf Coast Marketplace.
Violets and Butterflies
