- WE break barriers
- WE “Build Strong, Healthy, Prosperous Rural Communities”
- WE have a Passion for justice that drives who we are and everything we do
- WE work with families and communities, partners and policy-makers, to dismantle policies and systems that shouldn’t exist, and to build the policy infrastructure and institutions of equity that should
Leadership
Now in Our 56th Year!
Half Century of Breaking Barriers in Rural Louisiana for Creative and Innovative Investment in "Making Change Happen"
Plantationism
15 Years
- SMHA worked on all levels to fight the huge and powerful plantation system entrenched in Louisiana’s economy
- SMHA strived to help the workers become “empowered persons”
- SMHA was catalyst so that the farmworkers would begin to learn how to work together
Health Care
15 Years
- SMHA Created Teche Action Clinic led by Dr. Gary Wiltz
- 1st medical and dental clinic for sugar-cane farmworker families
- Dr. Wiltz took the model and created 17 more clinics across rural Louisiana
Teche Ridge
15 Years
- SMHA broke many barriers to create Iberia Parish’s 1st and only Traditional Neighborhood Development in Iberia Parish
- Innovative master-planned $150 million Smart Growth development that, when fully built, will bring new homes, commercial property, and civic space to Iberia Parish
- Trasitioned in 2025 to major developer
Rural Recovery
10 Years
- SMHA Supports all aspects of Rural Recovery and Development
- 1,064 homes, businesses & churches recovered after the hurricanes in 120 small towns & villages
- SMHA goes where no one would, NO government money, NO paperwork requirements
- Concentrated on those willing to help themselves, are generous, show appreciation
We Transform Rural Communities by ….
Thank you to our long time supporters! If you wish to continue supporting SMHA, please contact us.
Would you like to know more about Southern Mutual Help Association?
Call (337) 367-3277 or Email smha@southernmutualhelp.org
This is wonderful; thanks for sharing. Congratulations on 50 years of outstanding work. Hilda is wonderful choice….smart, knowledgeable, known, committed. All the best to you and SMHA in the coming year. Arden Shank
Excellent video!! Well done. You’re all set for another fifty years of success. Bob Warwick
