PRESS RELEASE
The Advocate
March 27, 2006
WCRC Hosts Open House Luncheon for Community & Business Leaders
On Wednesday, March 15, 2006, WCRC, the Women’s Community Rehabilitation Center, located in downtown Baton Rouge, hosted an Open House Luncheon for area community and business leaders. This event marks the first in a series of efforts by WCRC’s PR/Funding Development Committee to gain greater public awareness of the vital mission WCRC serves for mentally disabled women.
A highlight of the event was the presence of Smiley Anders of The Advocate, who performed the honor of unveiling the new WCRC logo. Area business leaders and guests were then led through a guided tour of the red roofed two-story facility that, prior to renovation, served as a Baton Rouge fire station.
Program Director Kristi Bourgeois provided an oral history of the program’s success with the visual aid of a continuous overhead slide presentation featuring the residents enjoying the many aspects of life at WCRC. Ms. Bourgeois also made a formal introduction of the newly hired PR/Funding Development Specialist Marie Kennedy.
Serving as tour guides were board members and PR/Funding Development Committee members Mildred Feldman, Karen and Mike Zobrist, and Grace Bielkiewicz, as well as WCRC Supervising Counselor Winona Connor.
Most instrumental in preparations for the day were the sixteen female residents who worked diligently to assure the tidiness of their home, including the exterior bursts of spring colors provided by their recent landscaping endeavors. In-house chef Juliet Banks provided an artistically displayed and tasteful array of finger foods.
Board member Karen Zobrist provided beautiful spring floral and fresh fruit arrangements that adorned the dining tables and entry area. Counselor and in-house photographer, Winona Connor, captured keepsake photographs. Door prizes were provided by Mildred Feldman and awarded to Polly Rheams, Dwan Antoine, and Brian Babin.
Plans are already underway by the WCRC PR/Funding Development Committee and Advisory Board for a May 24, 2006 Wine & Cheese Social to recognize the program’s supporters. Members of the committee include: Chair Marjorie Green, Dr. Doze Butler, Susan Johnston, Mildred Feldman, Sally Meyers, Janice Shiflett, Ralph Stephens, Mike and Karen Zobrist, Grace Bielkiewicz, Cynthia Michael, Amanda Pellegrin, and Christine Rhorer.
WCRC, a component of the Louisiana Industries for the Disabled, Inc., is a private, non-profit organization in its 31st year of serving the Baton Rouge community and seven surrounding parishes. It is a structured, reality-oriented, vocational focused, Residential Treatment Center for women with Severe & Persistent Mental Illness that assists them in reaching independent living. The WCRC Supported Living Program began in January 1999 to provide Case Management Services and permanent housing arrangement for the graduating residents and Homeless Severe & Persistent Mentally Ill Women, with or without children. |
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