SMILE Community Action Agency celebrates 50th anniversary with a gala and banquet at Wyndham Gardens Friday, April 5th at 6 p.m.

It’s a time for reflection as the agency looks back at 50 years of its impact and services across Acadiana. Despite challenging times, it plans to still put the community first. 

“There have been so many mixed messages about SMILE out there in the community and we want to reassure and re-establish the confidence in our community that smile is still here, winning the war on poverty,” said CEO Craig Matthews. 

Fighting the ‘War on Poverty’  is one of their main missions. By providing education and resources to the area,  he believes the agency will still push forward

“Promoting the well-being of humanity. We’re going to continue to provide tuition assistance for students that are trying to further their education,” said Matthews.  “We’re going to continue to provide employment opportunities and training so that people can become gainfully employed,” Matthews added. 

State senators, legislators and representatives will speak during this year’s banquet. Matthews said increasing affordable housing development is also a key address. 

“This is a celebration not just for SMILE, the members of our staff, and our board. but for the entire community. For 50 years, community stakeholders, legislators, local elected officials, and just the community at large has embraced the work that smile has done,” he said. 

The gala will have a double-header keynote address by Attorney Glenn Armentor and former senator and mayor of Opelousas Donald Cravins Senior.