Shreveport’s Highland Center becomes a beacon for disaster aid

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — The Highland Center in Shreveport is in phase two of transforming into a vital ‘lighthouse’ for supporting residents during weather disasters, with backup power, water, and emergency support through the Community Lighthouse project.

The Highland Center is a nonprofit organization that offers free tax filing, emergency support, neighborhood wellness programs, career readiness programs, and more.

“We are working towards getting backup power and backup response in any kind of disaster. We’ve been working really closely with our partners at Caddo Parish North Louisiana Interface. So, part one is almost complete. We have our backup power, solar panels on, water roof up there, and today, we’re doing part two, which is getting backup water through a water well,” explains the Highland Center’s executive director, Madison Poche.

The Highland Center’s roof is lined with solar panels, providing backup power for the community.

Additionally, Poche says the water well is 175 feet deep underground. Once operational, it will be available for residents to use during emergencies. She hopes the Highland Center’s Lighthouse project is accessible to as many people as possible.

“So definitely our plan is to make sure that neighborhood-based Disaster Response Hub is in as many neighborhoods as possible. So right now we’re starting with pilot projects to kind of the east and the west parts of town. But we want to make sure that anyone can be within a 15-minute walk or a 15-minute drive of basic power and water necessities,” says Poche.

The Highland Center shared on social media: “About four years ago, as the snow was melting, water pressure was restored after some residents lost access to water for up to two weeks. We have been collaborating with partners to develop a better plan for future crises, which includes water wells at the ‘Community Lighthouse’ pilot project sites, Morning Star Baptist Church of Shreveport, and the Highland Center.”

Poche says Community Lighthouses are essential for neighbors to help each other during natural disasters so that first responders can focus on more significant emergencies.

“Neighbors can be prepared to help other neighbors. So our first responders in a natural disaster, in a really big emergency, can, you know, prioritize 911 calls. We can be taking care of each other when small issues like keeping a medical device charged, or keeping your medicine cold, or just having clean drinking water, before these smaller issues become nine on one calls,” says Poche.

“So I hope it builds our capacity to take care of ourselves and take care of each other and to be a stronger part of our community, use the disaster response plan.”

This project has secured vital support from the American Rescue Plan disaster response funds through Caddo Parish and substantial private backing from the North Louisiana Interfaith Coalition.

Poche underscores the Highland Center’s Water Well is currently not operational.