OUR HISTORY

DesOrmeaux Foundation History

Founded July, 2000

Located at the corner of Jefferson and Lamar, near Borden’s Ice Cream and UL.

We are a 501c3 non-profit formed in 2000 while I was serving as the first Director of Pro-Life Issues for the Diocese of Lafayette (1991 to 2001). I was chosen to serve in 1991 by Archbishop Harry Flynn.

Circa 1996-97, Mother Teresa of Calcutta sent a letter to all Bishops in America and suggested that if they did not have a place or assistance for pregnant women in need to send them to her Charity in New York and she would help them. Bishop Edward O’Donnell (now Bishop) asked me to research our Diocese and let him know if we had assistance for these women. After some research, I suggested we open a Catholic-based pregnancy resource center and after I agreed to run and fund it, the Bishop approved it.

In 1998, my son Kent DesOrmeaux (Hall of Fame Jockey, won his first Kentucky Derby, Eclipse Award as Jockey of the Year and is listed in Guinness Book of World Records), called to ask what he could do to “give back” for his blessings. In order to begin funding, we then began fundraising with “Kent DesOrmeaux Golf for Life Tournaments” in 1998 and 1999; raised over $40,000 and were able to open The Women’s Center of Lafayette on November 1, 1999 (All Saints Day) under the auspices of the Diocese of Lafayette.

In 2001, I left the Diocese and Bishop O’Donnell transferred ownership to The DesOrmeaux Foundation, Inc. which I had founded for the purpose of depositing funds from our golf tournaments, and other fundraising.

So began the establishment of our three ministries. In order to meet the needs of expectant mothers we are in the unique position of receiving calls daily from women experiencing difficult pregnancies and through our pregnancy resource center, home, and boutique, are able to guide them to the FREE services we offer in order that they may choose life.

The Women’s Center of Lafayette receives approximately 100 calls monthly requesting pregnancy testing, consultations, ultrasounds and info on the choices available to them including adoption. We now see approximately 70 clients per month; our maternity home is constantly at full capacity and we have purchased the property across the street for expansion. After 10 years of assisting pregnant women in need and helping them to choose life, I was inspired to help them further by opening a maternity home. In Fall of 2009 the DesOrmeaux Foundation opened our state-licensed St. Marguerite d’Youville Maternity Home which can house up to six pregnant women.

The St. Marguerite d’Youville Home offers a safe home to homeless pregnant women and their children. Often the reason a woman considers abortion is due to lack of family support. We welcome them and offer all necessities to give her hope for herself and her unborn child. She receives housing, clothing, counseling, food, GED Resources, budgeting, parenting info, educational resources and much more. Each individual circumstance offers us the ability to offer adoption as a viable alternative. Adoption is a wonderful way of helping a mother choose life.

Baby & Me Boutique supplies our clients and residents with all their needs. We accept donations of new and gently-used maternity clothes, baby clothes, furniture, school uniforms, infant hygiene necessities, diapers, wipes, baby food, formula, toys, shoes, and much more. Our sizes range from infant to teens. We are also open to the public at “goodwill” prices. Our motto is: “SHOP WITH US: SAVE MONEY AND SAVE BABIES”

We take as long as necessary to asses her needs, provide her with information and resources in order for her to make a good decision regarding her unexpected pregnancy and to move ahead with her life.

The Acadiana community has had faith in The DesOrmeaux Foundation for the past 19 years. We are entrusted to follow the teachings of Our Heavenly Father in helping vulnerable women coming to us for help.

“Truly you have formed my inmost being, you knit me in my mother’s womb”, Psalm 139:13