Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana

09/12/2026

KIROLI PARK DAY IS HERE! 🌳🎉💙

The Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana is ready for some family fun! Come on out, enjoy everything happening around the park, and be sure to stop by and see us!

The fun is happening 10 AM - 1 PM— grab the family and COME JOIN US! 💚🙌

🌳 THIS SATURDAY — bring the whole family to Kiroli Park Day: A Community Celebration!

Join us Sept. 12 from 10 AM–1 PM at Kiroli Park for a FREE day of family fun featuring 💦 a water slide, 🏰 bounce houses, 🎶 live music, 🚚 food trucks, and 24+ local organizations offering family-friendly activities throughout the event!

Come enjoy the park, connect with our community, and make some great family memories as we celebrate Kiroli Park and look ahead to its next 100 years.

📅 Saturday, Sept. 12 | 10 AM–1 PM
📍 Kiroli Park, West Monroe
🎟️ FREE & open to everyone!

Grab the kids and come spend Saturday with us at Kiroli Park! 🌳🎉

09/11/2026

NEW FALL EVENT! THE TICKET LINK IS OPEN!

🔎 THE CASE IS OFFICIALLY OPEN. TICKETS ARE ON SALE!

True crime fans, M. William Phelps is coming to Strauss Theatre Center on October 27, 2026, for TRUE CRIME LIVE—an unforgettable night of real cases, chilling stories, and an audience Q&A with the acclaimed true crime author and investigative journalist.

🎟️ GENERAL ADMISSION — $50
Doors open at 6:30 PM | Program 7:00–8:30 PM
• Giveaways!

🥂 VIP EXPERIENCE — $1,000 TABLE OF 8
Doors open at 5:00 PM | VIP Experience 5:30–6:30 PM
• Heavy hors d’oeuvres
• Complimentary adult beverages
• Meet & Greet with M. William Phelps
• Photo opportunity with M. William Phelps
• VIP seating in the theater
• Main program 7:00–8:30 PM

And there’s another twist to the story: Mr. Phelps asked that TRUE CRIME LIVE be a fundraiser for the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana. Of course, we said YES—who are we to argue with the expert? 😉

⚠️ Ages 21+ • Very limited seating

GET YOUR TICKETS OR RESERVE A VIP TABLE: https://shorturl.at/2T2Nx

One night. Real cases. Chilling stories. An unforgettable experience—all while supporting children and families across Northeast Louisiana.

09/11/2026

Today, on the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, we remember.

We remember the lives lost, the families forever changed, the first responders who ran toward danger, and the countless acts of courage and compassion that followed.

Twenty-five years later, an entire generation has grown up knowing 9/11 only through the stories we share. It is our responsibility to keep those stories alive—not only the story of tragedy, but also of a nation that came together, neighbors who cared for neighbors, and people who chose courage, kindness, and service in the face of unimaginable loss.

At the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, we believe there is no greater legacy we can give our children than teaching them to care for one another and to build stronger communities together.

Today, we pause. We honor. We remember.

September 11, 2001 — We will never forget.

09/10/2026

💙 Today is World Su***de Prevention Day. Today, we remind every person: You are not alone.

We are proud that the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana’s Signs of Su***de (SOS) Program was recently highlighted by Macaroni KID Monroe–West Monroe as an important local resource for families.

But do you know what SOS does?

Under the direction of Jan Daniels, our team reached more than 8,500 students across multiple parishes last year—giving young people the tools to recognize warning signs in themselves and others, speak up when something isn’t right, and understand that asking for help is a sign of strength.

Sometimes the person who is struggling doesn’t know how to say it. That’s why knowing the signs—and knowing what to do next—matters.

If your family is looking for local su***de prevention and mental health resources, please take a moment to read the article or reach out.

Together, we can stop the silence. 💙

When someone you love is struggling, it can be hard to know what to say or where to turn. This guide shares national and local Northeast Louisiana mental hea…

09/09/2026

Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana is proud to participate in St. Joseph MBC West Monroe’s After-School Start-Bash! 🎒💙

Families are invited to enjoy free school supplies, children’s clothing, haircuts, community resources, car seat safety information and more. Be sure to stop by the Children’s Coalition table to say hello and learn more about the resources available to families across our region!

📅 Saturday, September 19
⏰ 10:00 a.m.
📍 St. Joseph MBC West Monroe
206 New Natchitoches Road, West Monroe

This event is free and open to the public. We love joining community partners who are helping local children and families begin the school year strong!

09/09/2026

🎒💙 Backpacks, resources, and a whole lot of community love!

We were proud to support our good friends at the BoneKrusher Youth Mentor Program for their Back to School Bash & Backpack Giveaway!

The Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana donated backpacks, helped sponsor the event, and joined in the fun while connecting families with valuable resources. Andrew with LACAL and Ivonne with U-ACT were there representing the Coalition and sharing information with families.

📚 They also helped spread the word about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library! Through funding made possible by the Louisiana Workforce Child Care Tax Credit, the Children’s Coalition helps bring the Imagination Library to children from birth to age five in Ouachita, East Carroll, and Madison Parishes—putting FREE, high-quality books directly into the hands and homes of our littlest learners.

Thank you, BoneKrusher Youth Mentor Program, for continuing to invest in our kids and for giving families such a great start to the school year! ❤️

09/08/2026

It’s time to take flight! ✈️✨

Jennifer and Mary, representing the Children’s Coalition’s Early Childhood Program, joined Executive Director Deidra Adair to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum’s new home!

We are thrilled about what this incredible space will mean for children and families across our region. Stay tuned—we’ll soon share how the Workforce Child Care Tax Credit will help support early education opportunities at the museum’s new location!

The future is taking flight, and we are so excited to be part of the journey! 💙💚🧡

09/08/2026

💙 Learning, connecting, and strengthening early childhood in Louisiana!

Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana was excited to join early childhood leaders from across the state at this year’s Center for Early Learning Funding Equity (CELFE) Institute.

We’re proud to be at the table for important conversations around early childhood funding and strategies that can help build stronger systems for Louisiana’s children, families, and early childhood educators. 🤝

LPIC’s Chief of Policy & Research, Heather Cope, joined Louisiana early childhood leaders at this year’s Center for Early Learning Funding Equity (CELFE) Institute to deepen their understanding of early childhood financing across federal, state, and local levels of government. Heather was joined by leaders from the Louisiana Governor’s Office, Louisiana Department of Education, Agenda for Children, and Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana. 🤝

The Institute brought together experts and practitioners for hands-on exercises, case studies, and discussions on funding streams, rate-setting, compensation, and strategies for financing early childhood priorities. Participants also received individualized technical assistance to help turn national insights and best practices into actionable strategies for strengthening early childhood funding in Louisiana. 💙

09/07/2026

💙 This Labor Day, we celebrate the people behind the mission.

At the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, our work is only possible because of people who choose every day to invest their time, talents, and hearts in children and families.

To our employees who carry the mission into communities across our region, our Board of Directors who give their time and leadership, our volunteers who are always willing to roll up their sleeves, and our community partners and supporters who continue to show up when we need them—thank you.

Some work can be measured in hours. The work you do is measured in families strengthened, children supported, opportunities created, and communities changed.💚

Happy Labor Day from the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana!