February 2017 - In This Issue:
WORKING TOGETHER FOR HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES
Since its creation in 1994, The Rapides Foundation has sought to improve the health status of Central Louisiana by developing initiatives and strategies intended to impact our community for decades to come.  We invite you to learn more about our work by visiting our website.

The Rapides Foundation focuses its work in three strategic areas:

Healthy People, to improve access to healthcare and promote healthy behaviors.

Education, to increase the level of educational attainment and achievement as the primary path to improved economic, social and health status.

Healthy Communities, to improve economic opportunity and family income, and enhance civic and community opportunities for more effective leaders and organizations.

Contact Us

The Rapides Foundation
1101 Fourth Street, Suite 300
Alexandria, Louisiana 71301
318-443-3394 or 800-994-3394

Visit our website:

SECO EVENT EDUCATES CENLA STUDENTS ABOUT CAREERS
Interactive, student-focused event draws 2,799
The 2017 Students Exploring Career Opportunities Expo exposed Central Louisiana students to different career opportunities so they will be better prepared during their high school years when choosing a pathway into the workforce, a technical school or college.

The SECO Expo is presented by The Orchard Foundation and the nine public school districts in Central Louisiana, and attracted 2,799 students from throughout the region. SECO allows students to experience simulations and hands-on activities at more than 40 stations staffed by area businesses with the goal of fostering student engagement and ultimately sparking an interest in future careers.  
 
See the full story and view a photo gallery of the January 2017 SECO event.
CDW RELEASES SPRING 2017 TRAINING CALENDAR
Workshops, webinars begin in March
Spring training offerings from Community Development Works, a program of The Rapides Foundation, begin in March and cover a variety of topics including fund development, budgeting, financial management, marketing and grant writing. 

The free, skill-building trainings are intended to help people improve their communities, and are geared toward nonprofit staff, board members, and volunteers, and also for people interested in starting a nonprofit.

MARCH GET HEALTHY CENLA CHALLENGE CALENDAR
Daily fitness, nutrition challenges help you meet your health goals
Join The Rapides Foundation Get Healthy Cenla Challenge, a daily challenge designed to encourage people to improve their nutrition and physical activity by following the tips on the monthly calendar.

The March Challenge Calendar has five weekly challenges to help you create a healthier and balanced diet. It also includes a walking challenge to help you steadily increase the amount of time you walk by the end of the month. You can find the Challenge Calendar on the Foundation's website, and it's also shared across The Rapides Foundation's social media platforms - Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. #GetHealthyCenla

Joe Rosier

Mission
The mission of The Rapides Foundation is to improve the health status of Central Louisiana. 

Vision
Our vision is to positively impact Central Louisiana by deploying resources to improve key factors of health status.