Department of Family and Community Services Amplifying the community’s voice in creating a healthy progressive West Monroe/ West Ouachita Parish that supports families, business and schools through innovative techniques and collaborative partnerships. The Department is strengthened by four distinct divisions. 1) Environmental Support: To provide creative and innovative beautification and environmental enhancements that enriches the quality of life. Raising public awareness and motivating community residents and businesses to participate in beautification efforts: • Identifying areas in need of revitalization • Creating innovative enhancements • Recruiting and collaborating with volunteers • Securing funds to achieve project goals 2) Education Support: To provide educational opportunities and support that promotes growth toward academic excellence, technical skills and self-sufficiency. Empowering residents to develop sound preparation for life through: • Creating education opportunities • Job readiness/Life skills trainings • Utilizing technology in education • Building stimulating learning environments 3) Community support: To provide connection to services that will enrich, enhance and empower our families and our community. Building sustainability in our family units and neighborhoods through: • intervention and support and services • matching need to the appropriate services • advocate for the community • building a network of support 4) AmeriCorps: To engage volunteers in meaningful service that improves lives and betters the community. Creating a volunteer base that improves our community through: • engaging members in meaningful and diverse services • providing specialized advanced training • developing community based initiatives • fostering volunteerism within the community