SMHA's Bank Partner's Executive Honored For Outstanding Service

Southern Mutual Help Association, Inc.'s (SMHA) Executive Director, Lorna Bourg, spoke at the Great Iberia Chamber of Commerce 2005 Annual Banquet. The Banquet honored Taylor Barras, IBERIABANK's President of New Markets, as the 2004 Outstanding Civic Service Award Recipient. Taylor was honored for his extensive involvement in the Iberia Parish community, including his work with SMHA.

In her introduction of Taylor, Lorna took the opportunity to thank both Taylor and IBERIABANK for their participation in the Louisiana Rural Home Loan Partnership (LRHLP) and for Taylor's leadership on SMHA's Endowment Committee. Lorna explained, "Taylor believes, as we do, that in Louisiana we need to broaden the concept of philanthropy beyond the great centers of learning, art, science and health to include community development corporations that will partner with business and government for long term development to end poverty. Taylor gets it!" Senator David Vitter, newly elected to replace Senator John Breaux, was the guest speaker at the Banquet.

The LRHLP began in 1995, creating opportunities for low-wealth families to own their own homes. SMHA designed a blended mortgage product through innovative partnerships with local banks that have enabled 160 rural families to become homeowners.