LCCR is Turning 20! Come Join in the Celebration!

Written by Ryan Hill -
Posted on February 26 2026

All photographs by Charles Leche Photography

The Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights is turning 20! Since 2006, LCCR has helped thousands of arrested children achieve the safety and stability necessary to grow up healthy and leave the legal system behind for good. In doing so, we have become a nationwide leader in showcasing what an effective response to youth arrest can and should look like.

Join us April 2, 2026 as we celebrate our 20-year legacy of changing young lives, and our communities, for the better.

We’ll be recognizing LCCR’s successes from the past year, where your support has helped:

  • 706 children in New Orleans and Baton Rouge get the resources they need to thrive and leave the legal system for good.
  • Defeat Amendment 3, legislation which would have funneled more children into Louisiana’s adult jails and prisons.
  • Launch our first-ever narrative change campaign, #ItTakesAVillageNOLA.

We will also be presenting our annual Diamonique Whaley Champion of Justice Award to Journey Allen, Local Artist and Founder of Spectrum Arts NOLA for her incredible work helping incarcerated youth to engage healing through arts education.

You’re a part of our history and our children’s success! It’s the support of people like you that helps our kids thrive and leave the legal system behind for good. So come celebrate with us! Click here to RSVP.

This cocktail reception fundraiser will be held on Thursday, April 3 (6:00 – 8:30pm) at The Building, a beautiful art space located at 1427 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. (just across from the Jazz Market). Fun fact: The Building is located about two blocks from where LCCR was founded (as the Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana) back in 1997. That makes this annual event a homecoming of sorts.

Business or business casual attire preferred.

While there is no ticket cost, a donation of any amount is required to attend. Donate now via LCCR’s donation page, Paypal, Venmo, or other gift options.

Click here to RSVP

HUGE THANKS to our Celebration 2026 host committee:

Rhonda Broussard // Keeanya Chenier // Kaye Courington // Eileen Gleason // Judge Arthur Hunter (ret.) // David Israel // Kyle Jude Jones // Carla Laroche // Justin McCorkle // Allie Shapiro // Jackie & Bruce Shreves // Miles Thomas

We also wish to thank this year’s sponsors and top donors:

Champion of Justice:

Anonymous

Guardian of Justice:

Platt Family Foundation

The Pulda-Sernovitz Family Fund

Defender of Justice:

Greg Browne & Harriet Riley

Advocate of Justice: Baptist Community Ministries //Terrell Briscoe // Brian Burgess // The Cheek Law Firm LLC // Milly & George Denegre // Evan James Consulting // Gregor Fox & Camille Patti // Allison & George Freeman // Lulu & Billy Freiberg // Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP // Gordon Arata // Hancock Whitney // Jones Walker LLP // Carla Laroche // Sheldon Lykes // Mary & Dale MacCurdy // Kim MacLeod // Kathy & Jerry Meunier // New Orleans Children & Youth Planning Board // Janice Parmelee & Bill Hammack // Perrier Esquerré Contractors LLC // ResourceFull Consulting // Shapiro Family Foundation // Jackie & Bruce Shreves // Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn LLP // Laurie & Paul Sterbcow // Linda Usdin & Steven Bingler Family Fund // Lynda & Irving Warshauer // Sarah & George Young

Benefactor of Justice: Michelle & W. Anderson Baker // Baker Donelson // Bernard & Franks // Mannone Butler // Courington, Kiefer, Sommers, Matherne & Bell LLP // Joy Debnath // Dr. Tyra Despenza-Kane // Karen & Ollie Edmunds // Families & Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children (FFLIC) // Anne & Rob Gardiner // Eileen Gleason // Greater New Orleans Foundation // Jack Harrison & Brittany Yoes // Wendy Hickok // ICT Inc. // Ernest Johnson-Ubuntu Village // Thuy Lam // Landis Construction LLC // Sally & Jay Lapeyre // Martin Wine Cellar // Melchiode Marks King LLC // Matt Morrin & Kim Ellis // OfficeOps // Palm Harbor Associates Inc. // Raymond James // Laurie & Peter Ricchiuti // Schonekas, Evans, McGoey & McEachin LLC // Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers // Allison & Pierre Stouse // Tatje Insurance & Financial Products // Sheryl Thompson // Anne & Quentin Urquhart // Steve Wilshire-Heaven Hill Brands

Fellow of Justice: Barbara Arras // Wendy & Hank Bart // Botanical Nail & Skin Studio // Laura Brown & Stan Brien // Charles Leche Photography // Corporate Business Supplies // Crescent Crown Distributing // Melanie & Ken Ehrlich // Maria Elliott & Michael Kuhn // Susan & Hervin Guidry // Ellinor & Doug Howard // Judge Arthur Hunter (ret.) // JJ Fulton Companies // Hans Jonassen // Lex Kelso // Christine & Joe Montz // Donna & Dean Pisani // Felicia Rabito & Bill Ellison // Reconcile New Orleans // Judge Leon Roché II // Sarah Schirmer // Trixie Minx Productions // Peggy Welsh // Alice & Bill Wright // Elizabeth & Carlos Zervigon

We also wish to thank the following for their partnership and steadfast commitment to our kids: