United Way of Acadiana Celebrates 15 Years of Nurturing Young Lives Through Early Head Start

LAFAYETTE, La. — For fifteen years, United Way of Acadiana’s Early Head Start Program has been planting seeds of hope in the lives of children and families throughout Lafayette and Vermilion parishes. What began as a vision to prepare children for lifelong success has now touched more than 1,500 families, providing early childhood education, developmental support, and valuable resources that strengthen not only children but entire households.

Community leaders, staff members, parents, and supporters recently gathered at the United Way Learning Center on Jefferson Street in Lafayette to celebrate the program’s milestone and reflect on its lasting impact. Today, the organization operates learning centers in Lafayette and Abbeville while also providing home-based services that reach families where they are, offering encouragement from pregnancy through a child’s earliest years.

Building Strong Foundations for the Future

Angela Morrison, former Chief of Community Impact for United Way of Acadiana and now Senior Director of Engagement at Hospice of Acadiana, recalled why the organization chose to invest in early childhood education.

“At the time, we realized it was important for us to focus on education from the very beginning,” Morrison said, noting concerns over school readiness, academic struggles, and high dropout rates.

That commitment continues today as the program serves children up to age three through classroom instruction, developmental activities, home visits, and support for expectant mothers. Currently, dozens of children and families benefit from services offered in Lafayette, Abbeville, and through the organization’s home-based program.

God’s Word reminds us in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Investing in children during their earliest years provides a foundation not only for academic success but also for healthy relationships, confidence, and lifelong learning.

Strengthening Families Together

United Way leaders emphasize that the Early Head Start program extends beyond the classroom. Assistant Director Annette Victor explained that the ministry of the program is centered on supporting the whole family.

“It’s not just about the child, it’s the whole family,” Victor said. She shared that parents receive guidance through home visits, parenting resources, and prenatal support that equips mothers to experience healthier pregnancies and stronger family relationships.

That holistic approach has made a lasting difference for parents like Asanti Burns, who has already seen tremendous growth in her one-year-old son’s social development since enrolling him in the Lafayette learning center.

Another mother, Tiffany Broussard, praised the program for providing what she described as “a village” while raising her children. Her daughter, now seven years old, benefited from Early Head Start, and her three-year-old son is preparing to graduate with strong language, learning, and social skills.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 teaches, “Two are better than one… For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.” Programs like Early Head Start demonstrate the power of communities coming alongside families with encouragement, education, and practical support.

Hope for the Next Generation

As United Way of Acadiana looks toward the future, leaders hope to continue expanding access to quality early childhood education throughout Acadiana. Their vision reflects a community committed to helping children thrive long before they enter kindergarten.

Jesus demonstrated His deep love for children when He said in Mark 10:14, “Let the little children come to Me… for of such is the kingdom of God.” His words continue to inspire believers to value, nurture, and protect the next generation.

The past fifteen years have shown that when communities invest in children, they also invest in stronger families, healthier neighborhoods, and brighter futures. Every lesson taught, every parent encouraged, and every child prepared for school becomes another testimony of hope that will continue to bless Acadiana for generations to come.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the children and families whose lives have been touched through United Way of Acadiana’s Early Head Start program over the past fifteen years. Bless every teacher, caregiver, volunteer, and staff member who faithfully invests in young lives each day. Strengthen parents as they raise their children with love, wisdom, and patience. We pray that every child will grow in knowledge, confidence, and faith, discovering the purpose You have prepared for their lives. Continue to bless Acadiana with organizations that serve families with compassion and excellence, and may future generations rise up with hope because of the seeds planted today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.