The Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services (WPCHS) held its April meeting at the ESM United Methodist Church. Bruce Sampson addressed the group.

Sampson is the founder and director of the Believe Performing Arts. He is a former adjunct professor at the Young Americans and has travelled the world performing and directing. Sampson has a strong passion for working with youth and is making an impact on the lives of those who attend the annual Believe Camp. The Believe Camp is a five-day performing arts day camp that includes singing, dancing, and acting.

Professional instructors include Sampson and other directors from Los Angeles and New York City. The Believe Camp will take place June 24 through June 28 at Bogalusa High School Auditorium, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Breakfast and lunch will be provided each day. Students in grades 3-12 are eligible to attend and can register online at www.believecamp.com. Community members who would like to sponsor a child or assist with the camp should contact Sampson through the Believe Camp website.

Reports were given by members. Rusty Fornea reported on the Prevention Connection meeting that takes place at 8:30 a.m. immediately before the WPCHS meeting. Prevention Connection focuses on data and means to help with problems in our parish. Ginger Champagne gave an update on the LAPFS grant. Two billboards featuring LaDarrick Smith and his father, Eric Smith, are up in Bogalusa and Franklinton with the message “Talk, They Hear You.”

Taffy Morrison reported that the Bogalusa Strong Meeting would be hosted by the Rotary Club at the Country Club at noon and the public is invited to attend. Major D. Ray Phelps announced that Drug-Take Back Event would take place on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. until noon at Nielsen’s Pharmacy in Bogalusa. Sheila Seal announced that a Town Forum Listening Session on Opioid Use would be held on May 2 from 9 a.m. until noon at the First Baptist Church in Bogalusa.

President Rhonda Gunnell adjourned the meeting. Attendees of the April meeting included Veronica Thomas, Charla Krein, Regina Meyerchick, Glory Davis, Rusty Fornea, Emma Ross, Bruce Sampson, Taffy Morrison, Major D. Ray Phelps, Ana Lopez, Ginger Champagne, Stephanie Seals, Rhonda Gunnell, Kathy Cusimaro, Jerlesha Calahan, Kay Kay Warner, Angela Houlemond, AJ Sherrard, Judy Posey, Tamira Smith, Sheila Seal and Kim Knighten.

The next scheduled meeting for WPCHS will be on Tuesday, May 28, at 9:30 a.m. at ESM United Methodist Church. Meetings are open to the public.

For more information, call Rhonda Gunnell or Rusty Fornea at 985-735-0160.