ANCHOR THE BAYOU
Assessing Needs and Building Capacity in Under Resourced Louisiana Bayou Communities
The Challenge
The down bayou communities are known for an inherent tenacity and self-sufficient mentality, but the increased frequency and intensity of tropical events and unpredictability of climate change impacts is beginning to adversely affect communities. Additionally, they have had less technical and fiscal resource to navigate complex funding systems and subsequently have not been able to conduct the research, planning, and data collection necessary to systematically advance socioeconomic resilience which is an essential and overlooked aspect of long-term community resilience.
The Approach
Beginning in 2025, the Center and the Bayou Community Foundation have implemented a multi-faceted, two-phased approach strategically designed to build sustained momentum and progress towards more holistic community resilience.
This work will engage people living in historically overlooked communities in developing a needs assessment and strategic plan, and to begin implementing the strategic plan. This work will establish a leadership cohort across a focused geography that will undertake leadership development trainings and community action events to support the implementation of the plan.
Funding
This project is supported by the Center’s Community Resilience Catalyst Program, Technical Support component. Support for ANCHOR Community Listening sessions provided by the American Red Cross
KEY TEAM MEMBERS
