NGO Funding Request


The recipient entity's full legal name:  Saint Luc French Immersion and Cultural Campus

The recipient entity's physical address:
           225 Guidroz Street
Arnaudville, LA 70512


The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           P.O. Box 1324
Arnaudville, LA 70512


Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  9388

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $865,000

What type of request is this?  Capital Outlay Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Mavis Arnaud Fruge, 860 Seven Arpents Road, Arnaudville, LA 70512 (president)
Ginger Latiolais, P.O. Box 544, Henderson, LA 70517
Philippe Gustin, 103 Adonis Dr., Lafayette, LA 70503
Amanda LaFleur, 205 Pickwick Drive Lafayette, LA 70503-4327
Thomas Tommy Guidry, 1019 Clay Courville Road, Breaux Bridge,LA 70517
Marie Olivier Lukazeski, 3064 Atchafalaya River Highway, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517
Rebecca Henry, 818 W. Bellevue, Opelousas, LA 70570
Cynthia Alleman, 1022 Grey Oaks Drive, Arnaudville, LA 70512 (key personnel responsible for the program or functions to be funded through the proposed funding).


Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Saint Luc is a non-profit formed to convert a 1968 hospital to a French immersion and cultural campus to preserve and promote Louisiana French languages, cultures, traditions, and folklife. The Saint Luc building is a sturdy cinder block building that sits on 5 acres in the town of Arnaudville. It needs extensive repairs after having been vacant for more than 15 years. The roof has been replaced for a cost of approximately $300,000. Other renovations required include electrical, plumbing, gas, extensive HVAC, bathroom fixtures, lighting fixtures, as well as 30,000 square feet of flooring (after asbestos abatement), as well as updates to the sprinklers system. In addition, fire marshal requirements include extending the firewall to the roof in the two residential wings which will lodge the students in both long-term and short-term program stays. The boxing around the building has been repaired, caulked and painted. ADA bathrooms are required. One has recently been completed to the tune of $25,000. The kitchen requires repairs and replacement of appliances to be brought up to code. 15 of 43 new toilets were acquired. Saint Luc has begun programs to benefit the community such as story writing and genealogy. Bilingual classes have offered in painting; and in hospitality which will serve to provide local restaurants, hotels, and businesses in the hospitality and service industries. French classes have been offered to beginners, as well as classes in the tradition arts of tatting and basketmaking. In addition to these classes, we will offer a culinary component introducing our unique Louisiana cuisines. The 33 bedrooms on campus will provide opportunities to host groups on-site for workshops, reunions, retreats, meetings, etc. Acadia and St. Landry Parishes sponsor a health screening service where area residents can obtain free health screenings; Saint Luc has provided a venue for these services on several occasions. Another public service to the community will be a library, as Arnaudville currently has none. Saint Luc has acquired numerous spinning wheels, looms, and other textile related equipment to be able to teach the dying arts of traditional Louisiana crafts to preserve these skills. Acadiana Native Plant Society is working on a pollinator habitat on the campus to bring awareness to conservation and ecological issues. Students will engage in area events including music venues, festivals, museums, restaurants, kayaking, crawfishing, and other cultural activities to enrich their learning experience and benefit our local and state economy.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $0
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          Saint Luc's purpose is to provide education and instruction to preserve the French languages and traditions by providing classes, workshops, and events in both short-term and long-term residential programs of immersion in any of the French languages in subjects such as cultural economy, environment preservation and restoration, genealogy, and cultural conservation. There is a market for French Immersion with universities within and outside of Louisiana, as well as high school teachers that are interested in learning and speaking French and being engaged in the culture-rich environment of Louisiana. The campus will function as an authentic social infrastructure, meaning all operations would be staffed with French/Creole speakers, creating the first of its kind in the United States, a fully French immersive campus. Not only an economic impact will be realized from the participants, but also an economic value to the French/Creole-speaking abilities will be realized. The building is ideal for hosting retreats, reunions, workshops, hosting visiting artists, musicians, teacher groups, economic and environmental seminars, etc. Also, since there is no library in this community, Saint Luc has been collecting books and hopes to designate a large room to provide this public service to the community, with both a French and English library. Traditions are a big part of Saint Luc's purpose. Classes in sewing, tatting, basketmaking, chair caning, spinning, weaving, etc. will be offered for the community as well as part of long term residential folklife stays. This all serves not only Saint Luc's purpose, but enhances our Louisiana culture and introduces it to our outside visitors, providing economic value.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          The goal for the building is to bring it up to code, making all required renovations, repairs, remediations and abatements, to create a safe, productive environment for workers and participants. Objectives 1): the roof has been entirely replaced; 2) regarding asbestos abatement and lead paint removal, Saint Luc has been working with Acadiana Planning Commission; 3) bids from contractors regarding the firewalls have been solicited; 4) 2 ADA complaint bathrooms have been completed; 5) numerous lighting fixtures have been converted to LED; 5) 10 new toilets have been installed, with another 10 purchased (leaving 23 additional ones to purchase); 6) a backflow water meter has been installed; 7) the exterior façade of the building has been cleaned; 8) the boxing around the building has been repaired, caulked and repainted; 9) the exterior carport has been reroofed and a multi-purpose deck added); 10) damaged sheet rock has been repaired; 11) several rooms have been scrubbed and repainted; 12) old carpeting has been removed; 13) native pollinator habitat and pocket prairie, have been created on campus by the Acadiana Native Plant Group; 14) helipad has been refurbished by Saint Landry Parish government; 15) exterior lighting and receptacles have been added; 16) a proposal from a local HVAC contractor has been obtained. Insofar as programming, regular monthly meetings for life writing and genealogy are meeting; classes in French have begun, as well as in the heritage arts of tatting and basketmaking. Quilting is an on-going heritage craft offering. Spinning and weaving classes begin in May. Saint Luc has also exhibited artwork and masks for public viewing. A Creole discussion panel was held on campus; and Saint Luc organized two Veterans' presentations.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           This depends on funding and the availability of contractors; but it is hoped by Spring 2024.

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 not applicable
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 not applicable

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 0

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  0

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               not applicable

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               not applicable

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                not applicable

          What is the nature of the relationship?  not applicable

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 not applicable

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               not applicable


Contact Information
name:  Mavis Arnaud Frugé 
                                       address:  860 Seven Arpents Road
Arnaudville, LA 70512

                                       phone:  3372987798
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  mavisfruge@aol.com
                                       relationship to entity:  President of the Board of Directors