Edie Couvillon Aymond, Executive Director of 232-HELP, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss her organization’s mission “to help those in crisis return to being healthy and productive members of the community and to empower and strengthen individuals and families by connecting those in need with community and social services that address their needs.”

Edie joined 232-HELP on June 5, 2024, bringing rich experience and the ability to make community connections from her five years working on behalf of Maddie’s Footprints, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families cope with miscarriages, stillbirths, or the loss of an infant.

It was through her prior experience with Maddie’s Footprints that Edie realized that while our area has many nonprofits organized to help people in need, most of us don’t know who they are or what they do. “I attended every nonprofit meeting in the sector helping young families. If I hadn’t attended, I wouldn’t have known what they did, what services they provided.”

When Edie was contacted by a recruiter looking to hire her to run 232-HELP, she was intrigued by the scope of the help the organization provided and also realized that she was not fully aware that they still existed as she remembered. “I remember seeing Marie Placer on television pitching for them when I was younger. I was excited to be able to help more people in Acadiana.”

Pictured above is Edie Couvillon Aymond, in June 2024. Photo by Alena Maschke of the Acadiana Advocate.

Since 1965, 232-HELP has assisted more than 10 million people and has had an estimated economic impact of more than $170 million throughout Acadiana, and reaches over 800,000 people in ten South Louisiana parishes.

With over 1400 nonprofits in 232-HELP’s database, the organization’s service areas range from Terrebonne to Acadia to Avoyelles parishes. Headquartered in Lafayette LA at 1005 Jefferson St. across from Keller’s Bakery, Edie oversees a staff of twelve. Her team operates 24/7, rendering aid to those who walk in during daytime hours and who call in at all hours. Accommodating persons of all backgrounds, there is a bilingual staff member who can help people who don’t speak English. Many don’t realize the scope of services offered by this small, yet dedicated staff.

Many of those in need will call 211 before they reach out to 911 or other resources, not wanting to get law enforcement involved in their troubles or have sirens coming to their house announcing a problem. Everyone is offered assistance, from those suffering from elder abuse, domestic violence, suicidal thoughts, or needing help with utilities, housing, or transportation. 232-HELP averages 1400 phone calls per month on average, but has exceeded 12,000 calls per month during crises such as hurricanes or COVID. Edie credits the “dedicated, solid staff for stepping up at all times to handle the situation, no matter how difficult.” And for the record, 211 works nationwide; you can call it from anywhere, even from your car, and the operator will route you to the nearest organization available to offer relief.

232-HELP was the first organization in Louisiana to offer a statewide call-in number for those in need. A national call-in number, you can call it from anywhere in the U. S. and you will be routed to the nearest available resource, even from your car.

Jewell Lowe’s life was devoted to charity, leadership, influence, and advocacy, improving the lives of the people of Acadiana. In 1965 Jewell, her husband Bob Lowe, and other community leaders, founded the Southwest Louisiana Education and Referral Center (SLERC) – now 232-HELP. Jewell served as Executive Director of 232-HELP for over 40 years. Each year, 232-HELP selects a humanitarian who exemplifies the example that Jewell set for service and generosity. Outstanding leaders such as Richard Zuschlag, Dr. Mary Neiheisel, Bo and Jerry Ramsay, Richard D’Aquin, and many more pillars of our community have been selected.

Edie spoke of Jewell Lowe’s commitment to address issues that were previously taboo, such as mental illness or treatment of STDs. “Jewell was a champion of mental issues in the 1960s when no one spoke about it. today people are comfortable saying they have a therapist, but not then. In 1972 she created a program to treat sexually transmitted infections. There was a surge but no one would speak about it. Volunteers from USL were trained to meet with people and take calls, and then encourage them to see their doctor. They received 144 calls in the first week. Jewell would broach taboo subjects and people went along with her,” says Edie Aymond.

“There are a lot of unmet needs in Acadiana. While there are a lot of great nonprofits here, if people don’t know what they’re doing, they are not able to assist them. That’s where 232-HELP fills the gap, to get the resources to people needing to be assisted.” Edie Aymond speaking on the critical importance of 232-HELP’s mission to get aid to those most in need.

232-HELP’s annual fundraiser has been rebranded as the “Diamond Gala” in honor of Jewell who would have been 100 years old on December 4, 2024. The organization is working to raise awareness of its 59-year commitment to connecting those in need with services needed. The fundraiser will be held on October 9, 2024, at La Pavillon in River Ranch. 232-HELP’s biggest fundraiser; the proceeds pay for call center operations as well as a small budget to help in cases when no other relief is available. Sponsorships and tables are available and may be obtained by visiting https://e.givesmart.com/events/DKw/

Edie is dedicated to bringing fresh, young voices into the fold of volunteers and donors. An example of such a need is for its Donated Dental program. Currently, 232-HELP is down to nine dentists on its volunteer list; there used to be thirty. Organized to assist the elderly or disabled with their dental health, the demand is huge. Dentists who volunteer can pick and choose their cases while helping improve the dental health of our most vulnerable.

On a personal note, Edie Couvillon Aymond loves Acadiana, grew up in Scott, and graduated from Carencro High School and LSU. She loves festivals and says she and her husband attend all local festivals from start to finish. Of particular interest is her love of running, having completed ultra-marathons of 130 miles. One such race, known as the “Fat Ass” group, is a race that started at the USS Kidd in Baton Rouge and completed at Audubon Park in New Orleans, for a total of 36 hours with no rest. Edie brings that same ‘can-do’ spirit to her new role as Executive Director of 232-HELP. We wish her and her organization the best of success as they forge new paths in helping our community.

On December 4, 2024, 232-HELP will host an open house at their headquarters at 1005 Jefferson Street to celebrate Jewell Lowe’s 100th birthday with a ribbon cutting and meet and greet. It will celebrate its 59th year of operation on December 14, 2024. We hope you will join them to learn more about their mission and sign up to support 232-HELP’s efforts. Donations may be made online at https://232-help.org/donate.