SMHA: A Passion for Justice
Since it was founded in 1969, Southern Mutual Help Association (SMHA) has helped people develop strong, healthy, prosperous rural communities in Louisiana. Our special focus is with distressed rural communities whose livelihoods are interdependent with our land and waters. We work primarily with agricultural and pervasively poor communities, women and people of color. We help build rural communities through people's growth in their own empowerment and the just management of resources.SMHA's foundation was — and still is — our strong commitment to ending poverty and a passion for justice.
West End Redevelopment
properties in New Iberia's West End
SMHA's West End Redevelopment Initiative was launched in the Fall of 2008 in partnership with the City of New Iberia, LA, and a private donor who was born and raised in the district. Click here for details of this plan to revitalize a 600-acre district.
Recent SMHA News
NeighborWorks® in Rural America National Membership Conference to take place in New Iberia, hosted by Southern Mutual Help AssociationClick here for full story
Get Your Gator!
Click here for full story
Teche Ridge Neighborhood Development Underway
Click here for full story
Click here for full list of recent news items from SMHA
Teche Ridge: Affordable Housing, Traditional Neighborhood Design
SMHA's $150 million Teche Ridge development is designed to change the face of affordable housing in the Acadiana region of Louisiana by integrating affordable units among market-rate units in such a way that the affordable homes are indistinguishable from the homes surrounding them.
Click here to visit the Teche Ridge web site.
SMHA's Programs
Southern Mutual Help's work is clustered in two broad areas: Building Rural Communities and Life Quality. Although listed as separate program areas, SMHA's work is holistic and interrelated. Programs and initiatives are intertwined, building upon, supporting, and reinforcing each other. All are programs designed to help people help themselves and provide on-ramps to the economic mainstream.Click here to learn more about SMHA's programs
Contact Us
Southern Mutual Help Association, Inc.3602 Old Jeanerette Road
New Iberia, LA 70563
337-367-3277
FAX: 337-367-3279
Email: smha@southernmutualhelp.org
Return to top of page
