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Community Resilience on the Rise in Shreveport

Community center with solar panels and a water well in Shreveport

News Summary

Shreveport is set to enhance community resilience with the Highland Center’s transformative Community Lighthouse project. Aimed at providing essential resources during disasters, the initiative includes backup power, clean water, and emergency aid. With support from the American Rescue Plan and local coalitions, the project is set to foster a safer, more connected community for all residents.

Community Resilience on the Rise in Shreveport

Exciting changes are afoot in Shreveport as the Highland Center gears up to advance to the second phase of its transformative project to become a Community Lighthouse. This initiative is all about looking out for each other, providing vital support to local residents during weather disasters, and ensuring that everyone can weather the storm together.

Building a Beacon of Hope

The aim of the Community Lighthouse project is crystal clear: to supply essential backup power, clean water, and emergency aid for the community when disaster strikes. And who doesn’t want a love for their fellow neighbors? The Highland Center, a dedicated nonprofit organization, has already been doing great work by offering free tax assistance, emergency support, wellness programs for neighborhoods, and career readiness initiatives. Now, with this latest development, they are stepping up the game even further!

Powering Up with Solar Energy

So, what does the Highland Center have planned? For starters, they’ve already rolled out shiny new solar panels to harness solar energy as a backup power source. This means that when the lights go out during a severe weather event, the center will still be able to provide vital services. As if that weren’t enough, a deep water well, extending 175 feet, is being dug right on the premises! This well will be a lifesaver—quite literally— supplying the region with drinking water in emergency situations.

A Walk in the Right Direction

The vision is ambitious yet inspiring. The goal is to have these community lighthouses sprouting up all around Shreveport, ensuring that every resident can reach one within a 15-minute walk or drive. Living in the area, residents may remember the arduous experiences of previous disasters when many were left without access to clean water for up to two weeks. This initiative is consciously addressing such issues, making sure no one has to suffer the same fate again.

Funding for a Brighter Tomorrow

Merely having a fantastic plan is one thing, but the funding to execute it is another! Thankfully, the Community Lighthouse project has secured financial backing from the American Rescue Plan disaster response funds. Not stopping there, they are also getting a helping hand from the North Louisiana Interfaith Coalition. It’s heartwarming to know that local organizations are banding together to support a cause aimed at uplifting the community.

Preparation is Key

And while bottled water is being strategically stocked at various Community Lighthouses for emergencies, the Highland Center is also part of an expansive network designed to offer safe harbor during times of distress. The first Community Lighthouse, situated at Morning Star Baptist Church, is already making strides with solar panels and an operational well in place. The importance of such facilities became all too clear during the recent outage crisis in 2023, and the community is eager to see more like this emerge.

Looking Ahead to Summer 2025

The Highland Center has set its sights on completing the operational setup for both the solar panels and well protections by the summer of 2025. Not only does the project focus on providing resources during crises, but it also emphasizes promoting resilience within the community. The idea is to empower neighbors to look out for one another during these challenging times.

The Road to Stronger Connections

To make sure everything runs smoothly, there are coordination efforts in the works with the Caddo Parish North Louisiana Interfaith Coalition. Together, they aim to enhance the community’s disaster response capabilities and ensure that when mother nature decides to show her fury, the residents of Shreveport are ready to come together and support each other.

As the Highland Center transitions into this new phase, the vision of a hopeful, resilient community shines brighter than ever. With efforts in place to provide life-sustaining resources, Shreveport is on its way to being a safer place to live in the face of adversity. Who could ask for more?