Program offers a ‘New You’ for New Year

Bonnie White
Bonnie White

Boutte Outreach classes are free

“We wanted to create an atmosphere for people to find themselves, to fit the needs of the people in our community.” — Marilyn Diggs

When life becomes difficult, many may find the prospect of turning things around overwhelming, be it in terms of a downturn in their career, their health or their overall satisfaction with their day-to-day routine.

It’s something those behind the Boutte Community Outreach Program want to help with, hence the birth of the New Year, New You course focused on the theme of helping people “reboot” their attitude, career and lifestyle goals for the year.

Boutte Community Outreach is partnering with the St. Charles Community Service Department to hold the classes, which are free of charge.

Each session carries a theme. The first was Jan. 8 and was centered around attitude and how to cultivate a positive outlook. The second, which will be held Jan. 22, is focused on career and the third, on Jan. 19, will revolve around lifestyle.

Each class is held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Earl E. Coleman Multipurpose Building on 119 Magnolia Ridge Road in Boutte.

JOAN DIAZ ADDRESSING THE CLASS.

It’s the first major event held by Boutte Community Outreach, which was established to give local people who may have lost their way a place to go, center themselves and start to turn things around.

“We wanted to create something for the community,” said Marilyn Diggs, one of the founders of the new organization. “We wanted to create an atmosphere for people to find themselves, to fit the needs of the people in our community.

“We felt like we have a lot of resources and skills Upload Fileswe can use to help people. We know so many people who we can reach out to and can help … at one point, you look around and you realize, hey, we’ve got a building, we’ve got classrooms, we have everything we need right here. We can do this.”

Diggs said that as an assistant pastor at Mount Zion Church, she sees so many people facing challenges each day, and who don’t know where to turn.

“We’re planning on having regular classes to cover things like anger management and handling grief,” she said. “We wanted it to be free of charge, whatever we can do to give back.”

This week’s class featured methods to shape attitude and turn focus from negative to positive thinking. The next two classes will cover subjects including how to maximize your chances to get a job or start a career and how to dress and prepare when headed to a job interview.

While New Year, New You is being hosted during morning hours, Diggs said future classes are likely to be moved to night to accommodate those who can attend after their work day is complete.

“I think this is the beginning of something good that will help people,” Diggs said. “There’s so much need out there. I’m just grateful I can help to do something.”

 

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