By encouraging student participation in a safe and confidential environment, the students truly take ownership of the information and gain confidence in discussing what are often taboo subjects. This empowers them to become educators of other students while also learning to diffuse or stop conflict and poor decision making among their peers.

Our volunteers facilitate educational programs to students in high school health classes throughout the school year. The Unfiltered Facts program is a six-session series that focuses on topics such as decision-making, boundaries and values, social media safety, dating and relationship abuse, mental health, human trafficking and online solicitation, the teenage brain and addiction, and Louisiana law as it relates to consent and sexual abuse. The program provides information that is timely and relevant in contemporary context and that is not only appealing to teens but also creates a comfortable setting for teens to discuss difficult topics impacting their lives.

All volunteers must complete a volunteer form, background check and be willing to attend training sessions to become familiar with program curriculum, student engagement methods and classroom management. All volunteers are observed by a Southwest Louisiana Youth Foundation staff or board member at least once a year and engage in an evaluation meeting to discuss strengths, weaknesses, areas for improvement and suggestions for the future.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please fill out the Volunteer form. You may also DOWNLOAD the form and mail it to: SWLA Youth Foundation, 419 Alamo Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601.