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Connections for Life

Account liaison: Allie Jarreau


Design director: Megan Gibbs
Event director: Margaret Price
Research director: Bren Calhoun
Strategy director: Erin Boyd
Strategy director: Clare Gleeson
Writing director: Alexis Nicaud

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................................................................................4
RESEARCH.......................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Organization research.................................................................................................................................................................8
Situation research..........................................................................................................................................................................9
Publics research..............................................................................................................................................................................9
Key publics......................................................................................................................................................................................10
Primary research.........................................................................................................................................................................10
Media research.............................................................................................................................................................................11
DESCRIPTION OF KEY PUBLICS.....................................................................................................................................................12
GOST................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15
Positioning Statement...............................................................................................................................................................16
Goal, objectives, strategies, tactics.....................................................................................................................................16
IMPLEMENTATION.................................................................................................................................................................................17
Strategic approaches..................................................................................................................................................................18
Channels..........................................................................................................................................................................................21
Communication tactics.............................................................................................................................................................22
Media schedule.............................................................................................................................................................................23
Event task list................................................................................................................................................................................24
Timeline............................................................................................................................................................................................25
Budget...............................................................................................................................................................................................26
EVALUATION...............................................................................................................................................................................................27
APPENDICES...............................................................................................................................................................................................31
A: Sources........................................................................................................................................................................................32
B: Letter of agreement..............................................................................................................................................................33
C: Primary research instrument...........................................................................................................................................35
D: Primary research results....................................................................................................................................................38
E: Strategic message plan........................................................................................................................................................47
F: Event plan memo.....................................................................................................................................................................50
G: Evaluation instruments.......................................................................................................................................................60
H: Facebook insights..................................................................................................................................................................66
I: Twitter Insights.........................................................................................................................................................................67
J: Deliverables/tactics...............................................................................................................................................................68
K: Internal communication document................................................................................................................................81
L: Media coverage.......................................................................................................................................................................82
M: Presentation Powerpoint.............,....................................................................................................................................84
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Connections for Life, a 12-month reentry program for women coming from prisons, battered womens shelters and
other referral agencies, believes in the power of second chances. The program seeks to empower each woman to
Public Relations partnered with Connections for Life in Feb. 2014 to raise awareness and funding in order to help
sustain the program.
Because of Connections for Lifes close relationship with First United Methodist Church, we wanted to target other
local church congregations to also get involved with the organization. Through research, we found that church
congregations in the Baton Rouge area enjoy volunteering in their spare time and strongly believe in the power
of forgiveness and second chances. We also wanted to target local businesses because they have the funding and
means necessary to make a positive impact on the organization. Additionally, we wanted to share our messages with
We conducted research by distributing a survey among three local churches and from these responses we learned
that Connections for Life lacked awareness, as many survey participants were not aware of the program or its
mission to help empower women in the community. Recognizing that awareness efforts must take place in order for
successful fundraising to occur, Belle Public Relations created a campaign to build Connections for Lifes reputation
achieve independence.
To support our proposed awareness and fundraising efforts, Belle Public Relations planned and executed a fashion
show and silent auction event entitled Fashion for a Cause. The event was held at The Womans Club of Baton
Rouge on April 25, 2014 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and attendance totaled approximately 100 people. Several educational
efforts took place at the event including a 10 minute informational video about Connections for Life, a collection of
live testimonies from women whose lives have been positively changed by the program. Between ticket sales,
sponsorships and donation items we raised $14,785 and increased awareness of the organization by 60 percent.

Client Overview
reentry and transitional housing program for women coming from prisons, treatment facilities, battered womens
shelters and other referral agencies. The purpose of this reentry program is to help women learn how to be proactive
in improving their lives and the lives of their children (About the Program, 2012).

Mission
The mission of Connections for Life is to foster the development of a healthy lifestyle pattern for single, indigent
women who are in transition from dependence to independence. To accomplish this, Connections for Life offers
housing and employment, education and individual counseling (Our Mission, 2012).

history

relied on the Baton Rouge community for volunteers and monetary donations in order to provide each program
management assistance and access to medical care (About the Program, 2012).

Culture
a job in order to contribute toward their expenses. They also must attend recovery meetings, pass drug screenings,
complete volunteer hours and communicate their whereabouts to program staff on a 24/7 basis. Women must apply
for entry to the Connections for Life program before their release and are then handpicked by the Connections for
Life staff. The program is able to serve approximately 25-30 women every year and the reach often extends to their
families and children as well. The majority of the women who successfully graduate from the program choose to stay
close to the Connections for Life apartments in order to maintain close relationships with other women and program
staff (K. Stagg, personal communication, February 3, 2014).

Finances
Connections for Life relies on donations of clothing, household items, money and food in order to achieve its goal of
helping women and children rebuild their lives. Connections for Life operates a local thrift store in order to generate
revenue for each residents living and transportation expenses. The organization also operates a food pantry in
partnership with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank to satisfy unmet food needs within the community (Food
Pantry, 2012). Along with public donations, Connections for Life also receives funding from private donors and
sponsorships, such as Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation, The First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge
and Drift Webdesign (Special Thanks, 2012).

Economic and Political influences


decrease. Decreased program funding will also decrease the amount of participants the program is able to support
each year, thus lessening its impact on the local community.
controversial topic. A common challenge for reentry programs is getting the support of the local community who
believe the program encourages criminals and offenders to relocate to the community in order to obtain program
services. The political establishment may fear the presence of released inmates in the same areas as their children
(Jordan, Madsen, Melis, Miller & Spenser, 2005). Additionally, it is not an uncommon belief that offenders deserve to
be in the unstable state they are in upon their release, and it should be their responsibility to get back on their feet,
not the responsibility of the community (Jordan, Madsen, Melis, Miller & Spenser, 2005).

Public opinion
The overall public opinion of Connections for Life is positive (K. Stagg, personal communication, Feb. 3, 2014);
however, there will always be some publics the organization will struggle to receive support from. For instance,
individuals who have been directly harmed, abused or taken advantage of by current or past offenders may never be
interested in supporting the second chance that Connections for Life offers. On the other hand, the program
receives great support from local prisons, treatment facilities and shelters because women in these places often
recognize the programs ability to help redirect and positively shape program participants lives. Despite the
awareness in offender facilities, Connections for Life is relatively small and has yet to establish a well-known
presence in the Baton Rouge community. However, the program is moving forward, and with the help of continued
donors and sponsorships, as well as successful testimonials from past participants, Connections for Life has the
potential to expand its positive and encouraging image to the public (K. Stagg, personal communication, Feb. 3, 2014).

SWOT Analysis
Connections for Life has many strengths working in its favor but there are also a lot of threats working against those
strengths. With the proper steps and communication plan, Connections for Life has the opportunity to grow vastly in
the Baton Rouge community.

Performance
Connections for Life provides a 12-step reentry and
transitional housing program for women coming from prison,
treatment facilities, battered womens shelters and other
referral agencies. Their goal is to help the women they serve
learn how to be proactive in improving their lives and to go
from being dependent to being independent (About the
Program, 2012).

Niche
Connections for Life is the only 12-month program for
previously incarcerated women offered in Baton Rouge.
donation form, which will allow for a more convenient and
Connections for Life holds a fundraising event each year to
raise more money and allow the community to meet and
interact with the women in the program.

Structure
Connection for Lifes communication resources are
currently limited, but time and money will be channeled by the
Karen Stagg is the executive director of the program and is
in charge of all public relations efforts.

Supporters
Sponsorship with local businesses in Baton Rouge that allow
Connections for Life to plan and hold fundraising events in the
community.

External impediments
The external environment is unpredictable because
Connections for Life has yet to face major opposition.

Internal Impediments
Connections for Life does not receive enough exposure in
program.
A lack of social media presence is detrimental toward
awareness and community involvement in the program.

Competition
There is a similar program in Baton Rouge called OBrien
House that serves recovering alcoholics and drug addicts
and offers residential treatment, outpatient treatment, adult
education and prevention programs.

Opposition
Members of the Baton Rouge community are hesitant to
donate because they feel that the women are at fault, so they
disagree with the program in general.
Some members of the community may also feel women that
were incarcerated should hold the responsibility of
successfully reentering the community on their own.

External impediments
The location of the thrift store, although convenient, may
appear dangerous because of the surrounding neighborhood.
potential donors perception of the participants in the
program.
members and sponsors hinder the operation and effectiveness
of Connections for Life.
Connections for Life is known in the prison system by word
of mouth only, and decreasing numbers of incarcerated
hurt the programs mission.
Inadequate marketing efforts to promote the thrift shop
contribute to the decline of fundraising and
community involvement.

Issues
Connections for Life faces a lack of funding and a lack of overall awareness about the program and its mission of
helping women help themselves. Those community members who are aware of Connections for Life may also be
reluctant to donate to a program that supports previously incarcerated individuals. Due to this social stigma, the lack
of funding is very prevalent in many parts of the program. The lack of full-time employees at the Connections for Life
Thrift Store is also due to issues with funding.

risk
Because of the lack of funding, there is the risk that the program will be unable to support itself and the program
participants in the future. There is also the risk that a Connections for Life program participant may not be fully
invested in the program and could return to her former lifestyle behaviors.

Limiters
There is only one limiter for Connections for Life in the Baton Rouge area. The OBrien House offers a similar
rehabilitation program for adult alcoholics and drug addicts in Baton Rouge. Their program includes residential
treatment, outpatient treatment, adult education and prevention programs. There are no active opponents of
Connections for Life.

Customers
The primary customers for this program are women who have been released from prison. In order to be selected into
interviews. Along with the 12-month program, Connections for Life also manages a thrift store. The secondary
customers are Baton Rouge locals who volunteer or purchase items from the thrift store. In the past three years,
Connections for Life has also seen an increase of LSU students who volunteer and donate to the thrift store.
Service-learning classes at LSU have partnered with Connections for Life in past and current years. During the next
three years, the executive director, Karen Stagg, plans to create partnerships with local businesses and organizations.
Stagg is focusing her efforts on long-term relationships.

Producers
Stagg and four other employees manage and run the program and thrift store. The majority of contributions for the
thrift store come from churches and Baton Rouge residents. In order to raise funds, Stagg often speaks at
local churches. Occasionally, some women in the program will attend these visits to help promote the organization.
Producers have not changed within the last three years, but they are expected to change within the next three years.
As mentioned before, Connections for Life wants to create personal relationships with larger businesses and
organizations. Stagg wants to preserve her current church relationships, but also target upper-level managers.
Money is provided to the organization through donations, fundraising events and thrift store operations.

Enablers
Connections for Life does not have advertising or marketing agreements at the moment, but does have a website
contract with Drift Web Designs. Outlets that are available to use are local television news channels, traditional print
media sources and radio broadcast stations. In the last three years, Connections for Life has been shown on TV news
stations WAFB and WBRZ, Baton Rouge local newspaper The Advocate, LSU magazine Legacy, First United
Methodist Church newsletter, Louisiana United Methodist Conference newspaper and Baton Rouge Area
Foundations Currents magazine. Opinion leaders among customers include patrons of the thrift store, pastors and
churchgoers who help to support the organization through donations and volunteering. A colleague for the
organization includes the OBrien house, which offers a rehabilitation program in Baton Rouge. The only regulator
for Connections for Life is Stagg who manages all the operations for the organization.

According to our primary research and our interactions with Connections for Lifes executive director, Karen Stagg,
not reached out to them. The apathetic audience consists of community members who are aware of the program but
do not have the means or resources to further the Connections for Life cause. The aware publics consists of business
professionals, church congregations and college students who are very much aware and interested in the
the program. The active publics consist of Connections for Life board members, sponsors, donors, graduates of the
program and dedicated volunteers who donate time, clothing, food or monetary support to the organization.

the organization prior to our agencys involvement. Therefore, the existing information is not necessarily accurate
and mostly outdated. Belle Public Relations distributed a survey to three Baton Rouge churches. The information
gathered helped to complete the full picture that was needed regarding the publics attitude toward Connections
for Life. The survey was used to measure awareness of Connections For Life, attitudes toward the organization and
demographics of the participants.
Other factors that were measured in the survey included participants willingness to donate and volunteer for the
organization. It was decided that a survey was the best way to conduct this research because it will help to uncover
answers about how the public feels about the organization and it is easy to compare results. The results of the survey
Survey focus: To measure the awareness, demographics and willingness to donate from members of three Baton
Rouge area churches to discover attitudes toward Connections For Life.

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Media Coverage
While the local media often does not report on Connections for Life, various outlets have contributed to media
coverage of the program. Local TV news station WAFB and Baton Rouge local newspaper The Advocate are the two
main outlets that have produced stories about Connections for Life.
coverage and be represented by other various outlets in order to increase community awareness and involvement.

Media Contact List


Connections for Life has access to multiple media outlets in East Baton Rouge that can be utilized to reach target
audiences. The most prominent outlets at the disposal of Connections for Life are local news channels, traditional
able to increase exposure and community awareness while reaching their target audiences and potential sponsors.

Television
WAFB Channel 9: News director, Robb Hays, rhays@wafb.com, 225.215.4800
WBRZ Channel 2: Whitney Vann, whitney@wbrz.com, 225.336.2340
WBMG Fox 44: News Room, info@tvbatonrouge.com, 225.768.9293

Print
The Advocate: Managing editor, Fred Kalmbach, fkalmbach@theadvocate.com, 225.388.0276
Business Report: Editor, Stephanie Riegel, sriegel@businessreport.com, 225.928.1700
LSUs Legacy Magazine: Managing editor, Morgan Searles, editor@lsulegacymag.com, 225.578.5643
Baton Rouge Area Foundation: Mukul Verma, mverma@braf.org, 225.381.7116
Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church: Communications director, Betty Backstrom, bettybackstrom@la-umc.org, 225.490.0309

Radio
Downtown Radio 97.7: Host, Scotty Mac, scotty@downtown977.com, 225.231.1860
Eagle 98.1: Market manager, Gordy Rush, gordy.rush@gbcradio.com, 225.388.9898
96.1 The River: Program director, sam@961theriver.com, 225.231.1860

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Connections for Lifes key publics are local church congregations, businesses and college students who are
interested in donating money and/or volunteering for the program. The target audience is churchgoers and
members of the volunteering community. While they may be aware of the program to some degree, they are
indifferent to the programs operations, which causes them to be apathetic. The major expectation of the publics is to

Issues
The issues that Connections For Life faces with its key public are awareness and fundraising. The target audience is
aware of Connections for Life, but not to the community wide extent that the organization would like to reach
problem that this key public has related to this issue involves placement of donations. Donors want to know exactly
where their money will be going and what it will be assisting with, and right now donors to Connections For Life do
not have that kind of knowledge.

Organization
donations. Increasing fundraising is one of the goals for Connections for Life this year and bringing in more donations
would do that. Connections for Life can affect the key publics by releasing productive members of society after the
completion of their program. The key public knows little to nothing about Connections for Life. Because of this, their
Connections for Life relies heavily on their key publics to help move the organization forward.

Perception
the community. Additionally, Connections is perceived as being honest, effective and helpful in addition to being very
important to women entering the community after periods of incarceration.

Opinion
Connections for Life is well known among a handful of local churches in Baton Rouge. However, many churches and
families are unaware of the program and its mission. In general, the key public will often choose to donate to
are either lurking or casually engaged. Most posts on social media accounts reach key publics, yet little engagement is
achieved through comments, shares or likes.

Communication
The key public is not actively seeking out information on programs that help women regain their footing in the
community after a period of incarceration. Some credible sources and opinion leaders for the key public would be
community pastors and professionals. The key public often communicates through Facebook, TV news stations and
radio stations.

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Demographics/Psychographics
The key publics of Connections for Life are church congregations, local businesses and college students. The majority
are 40 years or older and live in the nicer subdivisions of Baton Rouge. They are members of the middle-to-upper
with most having a college degree, spiritual and concerned with helping others in need. The majority are Christians
and are active participants at their churches. They are persuaded by a combination of appeals including past
successes and visions for the future.

Benefit Statement
Through this organization, women are able to rebuild their lives and become independent. This differs from what
other organizations offer because there is more one-on-one engagement and graduates of the program are welcome
to return for help at any time.

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Positioning Statement
Connections for Life will be known as an effective organization positively impacting in the community with all

Goal
To better the reputation for Connections for Lifes reentry program that exists to help women coming from prison,
treatment facilities, battered womens shelters and other referral agencies achieve independence and reconnect
with their children.

Objectives
Objective 1
about the existence of Connections for Lifes reentry program by 10 percent from Feb. 3 - April 25, 2014.
Strategy 1: Use traditional and social media directed at local Baton Rouge church congregations to promote
Connections for Lifes mission of empowering women to become independent members of society.
Tactic 1: Print media - press release sent to local news media outlets containing information about the program
and upcoming fundraiser event
Tactic 2: Broadcast media - TV morning news interview with WBRZs 2une In to educate audience about the
programs mission
Tactic 3: Social media - educational and promotional messages concerning Louisiana incarceration rates and the
need for the reentry program on Facebook, Twitter, Wordpress and YouTube
Objective 2
in the amount of $6,000 to help fund the living expenses of women in the Connections for Life program from
Feb. 3 - April 25, 2014.
Strategy 1: Use print and social media directed at local Baton Rouge businesses to communicate the importance of
community involvement to the success of the organization, thereby encouraging sponsorships and donations prior
to the Fashion for a Cause fundraising event on April 25, 2014.
Tactic 1
Tactic 2: Social media - publically interact with sponsors by engaging in shout outs and cross-promotional
messages on Facebook and Twitter

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Actions
Belle Public Relations hosted Fashion for a Cause to help raise funding and awareness for Connections for Life.
Throughout the evening, guests were treated to a fashion show and silent auction. Local business owners and
community members donated money and various clothing, vacation and novelty items for the event.

Communications
Throughout the entire campaign, Belle Public Relations used a consist theme of colors, fonts and images to reach
out to our target audiences. All of the Fashion for Cause deliverables utilized a black and teal design template that
incorporated and complemented Connections for Lifes existing logo and design. Our agency wanted to use colors
and fonts that undeniably associated Fashion for a Cause with Connections for Life.

Theme
The theme agreed upon for the event was Fashion for a Cause. Belle Public Relations chose this title because it

Spokesperson
Keynote speakers at the event included women whose lives were changed while in the reentry program and Karen
Stagg, Connections for Life executive director.

Messages
success of the Connections for Life womens reentry program. Belle Public Relations wanted its target audiences to
realize the program relies on their support in order to continue rebuilding the lives of women and their children in
Also, Belle Public Relations wanted to encourage local church congregation members to become volunteers,
advocates or donors for Connections for Life to ensure lasting positive impacts on program residents.

Structure
The structure of the messages throughout the campaign was simple and straightforward. We explained
Connections for Lifes mission and the need for community support in person at local businesses and churches as
well through social and traditional media outlets.

Content
Belle Public Relations implemented pathos and logos appeals to encourage our target audiences to get involved with
Connections for Life. We did this through featuring emotional testimonies from women currently in (or graduated
from) the program and providing the audience with a fact sheet about local incarceration rates and reentry
programs.

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Elements
community involvement, success stories and information relative to local incarceration rates.

Visual

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Nonverbal
distributed among local church congregations and businesses in the Baton Rouge area.

CONNECTIONS FOR LIFE PRESENTS

CONNECTIONS FOR LIFE PRESENTS

The Womans Club


259 East Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

EMPOWERING WOMEN TO BECOME INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY

friday, april 25

no refunds

6:30-8:30 p.m.

$20

Friday, April 25

Fashion show and silent auction

THE WOMANS CLUB 259 EAST BLVD. BATON ROUGE, LA 70802

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

FASHION SHOW
SILENT AUCTION

$20 fashionforacauseBR.eventbrite.com

WHEN: Friday, April 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m.


WHERE: The Womans Club
259 East Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
WHAT: Fashion show and silent auction
WHY: Empowering women to become
independent members of their community

DONATION FORM
Connections for Life is a nonprofit, one-year re-entry program for women who are returning
to the community, primarily from prison. The program provides each woman housing,
clothing, food, job placement assistance, transportation, financial literacy, assistance with family
reunification and access to medical and mental health care. The goal of Connections for Life is
to assist women in going from dependence to independence. Connections for Life works to help
women help themselves.
Sponsor

Silent Auction Donation

Patron

Name: _______________________________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________________________
City/State:_____________________________________________________________________
Phone Number:________________________________________________________________
Email: _______________________________________________________________________
Donation Amount/Item: ________________________________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________________________________________
Mail forms and checks (payable to Connections for Life) to:
2286 Highland Road Baton Rouge, LA 70802
or contact Karen Stagg at kstagg@connectionsforlife.net or 225-439-8575.
To register online, please visit: http://fashionforacauseBR.eventbrite.com

WHEN: Friday, April 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m.


WHERE: The Womans Club
259 East Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
WHAT: Fashion show and silent auction
WHY: Empowering women to become
independent members of their community

Connections for Life is a nonprofit, one-year re-entry program for women who are returning
to the community, primarily from prison. The program provides each woman housing, clothing,
food, job placement assistance, transportation, financial literacy, assistance with family
reunification and access to medical and mental health care. The goal of Connections for Life is
to assist women in going from dependence to independence. Connections for Life works to help
women help themselves.

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE
Gold Sponsor
$1,000+

4 tickets to the event


Logo placement on event signage & program
Feature and logo placement on social media

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

2 tickets to the event


Logo placement on event signage & program

Logo placement on event signage & program


Donation placement on silent auction table

$500-$1,000

Donation item

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Connections for Life did not provide any goods or services in exchange for this contribution.
Connections for Life is a 501c(3). Federal Tax ID # 72-1471119.

All donations are tax deductible. Connections for Life did not provide any goods or services in exchange for this
contribution. Connections for Life is a 501c(3). Federal Tax ID # 72-1471119.

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Channels
Belle Public Relations used both traditional and social media to raise awareness about Connections for Life and
Fashion for a Cause. We used traditional media to target local church congregations and social media outlets to
interact with younger professionals and Baton Rouge businesses. According to our primary research, we gathered
that church congregations consist of older generations and families that primarily use traditional forms of media like
newspapers, magazines and TV news broadcasts. Our second and third target audiences consisted of Baton Rouge
business professionals and college students who use social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, in addition to
more traditional forms of media.
In order to target church congregations, Belle Public Relations members made public appearances at local churches,
channels consisted of a news release, media advisory, informational video, an interview spot on WBRZs 2une In
and a short promotional speech at LSUs Pizza and Policy. Throughout the night at Fashion for a Cause,
informational programs, contact cards and fact sheets were distributed while event attendees bid on auction items.
As a non-media channel, Belle Public Relations used a word-of-mouth approach to promote the fashion show and
silent auction for Connections for Life.
Belle Public Relations also interacted with Baton Rouge businesses professionals and college students via social
media outlets. Agency members utilized the Connections for Life Twitter page to gain followers and interact with
existing followers using the hashtag, #FashionForACause. A Fashion for a Cause Facebook event page was also
created and contained a link to the Eventbrite page. Before Fashion for a Cause, Belle created a save-the-date
email blast to send to people who had bought event tickets in advance. Following Fashion for a Cause, thank you
emails were sent to all event attendees, donors and event sponsors. Throughout the campaign, Belle Public Relations
also published a weekly blog at bellespublicrelations.wordpress.com that detailed the progression and
implementation of each public relations stage.

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Communications tactics
Belle Public Relations created the following deliverables during our campaign to help create awareness and raise
funds for Connections for Life.

distributed copies to Connections for Life, churches and local businesses.


Donation form - We created a donation form to record information from event donors, sponsors and/or patrons.
Sponsorship package - A sponsorship package form was created to outline the various sponsorship packages and
what sponsors received for their support.
Event ticket - An event ticket to provide proof of sale was created to give to all of those who purchased a ticket
from a member of the campaign team.
Facebook event cover photo - A graphic was created for the Facebook event page cover photo to catch peoples
attention and allow for sharing of the event.
Eventbrite registration page - An Eventbrite registration website page was created for convenience to allow people
to buy tickets online.
Facebook event page - A Facebook event was created through the Connections for Life Facebook page to help
increase awareness about the event, remind guests about the event and allow them to share it with their friends.
Save the date email blast - We created an email blast through Mailchimp to easily send to potential event
supporters to urge them to buy a ticket on our Eventbrite page.
Silent auction donor cards - Cards were created for the silent auction that listed who donated the item.
Information cards - Cards were created to collect event attendee contact information.
Event program - The event program was given to attendees to inform them about the evenings schedule and
recognize both sponsors and donors.
Silent auction bid sheet - A silent auction bid sheet was created to describe the auction items and allow event attendees to bid on the item and provide their contact info.
Press release - We created a press release with information to write a story on the event or program to provide to
local media outlets such as 225 magazine, DIG magazine, inRegister, Baton Rouge Business Report, The Advocate,
Times Picayune, WAFB and WBRZ.
Media advisory - The media advisory was sent to the media the press release was sent to before the Fashion for a
Cause event to remind reporters about the events details.
Talking points - We created talking points for emcee Julie Baxter to ensure she mentioned everything we needed or
wanted her to address.
Model emcee script - This script was provided to our model emcee, Blair Brown. An about me questionnaire was
Event signage - To direct guests during the event, we created event signage to place on the venues property.
Promotional event video - We created the promotional video, which outlines the Connections for Life program and
highlights some program members, to be played during the event. Karen Stagg will also use the video during future
informational presentations.
Model thank you notes - The Belle PR team created and distributed thank-you notes to all of the models that
participated in the Fashion for a Cause fashion show.
Survey - A survey aimed at local church congregations was created to gauge awareness and knowledge of the
Connections for Life program.

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Media Schedule
Prior to event

March 11, 2014


March 13, 2014
March 14, 2014
Week of March 17, 2014
Week of March 24, 2014

March 31, 2014


Week of April 7, 2014
April 10, 2014
April 16, 2014
Week of April 21, 2014
April 22, 2014
April 23, 2014

task

Create media list


Create press release
Send press release to print media
Speak to 225 and inRegister
Line up Karens story (inRegister)
Speak to First United Methodist
Highlighted on The Advocates online calendar
Highlighted on Houmatoday.coms online calendar
Highlighted on eventful.coms event page
Highlighted on WAFBs online calendar
Featured on First United Methodist website
Contact WBRZ and WAFB
Secure interview time with WBRZ
Featured in inRegisters e-letter
Karen interviews with inregister
Create media advisory
Send media advisory to media
WBRZ Interview
Remind The Advocate about event
Featured on DIGs website

person

Alexis & Allie


Alexis
Alexis & Allie
Allie
Allie
Karen

Karen
Karen
Karen
Alexis
Alexis
Margaret
Allie

During event

task

person

Post event

task

person

April 25, 2014

Week of April 28, 2014

Pam from Advocate takes picture


Pams Party Line features event (Advocate)
inRegiser article on Karen

Team

repetition, frequency, pattern


Belle Public Relations published our message multiple times through traditional media outlets as well as social media
news outlets. We also frequently posted about the Fashion for a Cause event on social media platforms such as
Facebook and Twitter to gain awareness for the event. The pattern of the message was generally the same for all
outlets but was altered depending on whether the outlet was traditional or social media.

23

Event Task List

Time

3 p.m.
4 p.m.
5 p.m.
5 p.m.
5 p.m.
5 p.m.
5 p.m.
5 p.m.
5 p.m.
5 p.m.
5:05 p.m.
5:10 p.m.
5:15 p.m.
5:15 p.m.
5:15 p.m.
5:15 p.m.
5:20 p.m.
5:40 p.m.
6 p.m.
6 p.m.
6 p.m.
6 p.m.
6:10 p.m.
6:15 p.m.
6:15 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7 p.m.
7:02 p.m.
7:05 p.m.
7:10 p.m.
7:15 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
7:33 p.m.
7:40 p.m.
7:40 p.m.
7:45 p.m.
7:45 p.m.
8 p.m.
8:05 p.m.

Tasks

Arrive at venue
Help Air Blow with hair and makeup
Arrive at venue
Place balloons around room
Place programs and fun facts on tables
Caterer arrives and starts setting up food and drinks
Assists caterer with any help she needs
Models arrive to venue
Check in models. Send them to Allie.
Show models where to change and put items
Set up speakers and projector
Sound check
Set up auction table
Set up front desk
Arrange surveys and pens on tables
Fashion show walk-thru and sound check
Walk-thru complete
Sit at check-in desk
Stand infront of door as greeters
Check silent auction tables one last time
Make sure food and drinks are stocked; Check music
Anticipate guests arriving
Pam from Advocate arrives for picture
Emcee arrives and is brought to stage
Julie Baxter speaks about event and silent auction
Announce door prizes
Program woman testimony
Fashion show begins
Fashion show ends
Thank you from Karen
Begin video
Announce door prizes
Start passing out event survey
Announce that silent auction ends in 15 minutes
Announce door prizes
Silent auction ends
Clean up

Person

Margaret
Allie, Erin & Clare
Megan, Alexis & Bren
Bren
Megan
Chef Celeste
Bren
Models
Clare
Allie
Allie & Alexis
Alexis
Erin
Megan & Margaret
Erin
Bren
Models
Megan & Bren
Allie & Clare
Margaret
Alexis
Julie Baxter
Julie Baxter
Julie Baxter

Karen Stagg
Clare
Julie Baxter
Belle team
Julie Baxter
Julie Baxter
Belle team & volunteers

24

Campaign Timeline
Date

Feb. 3, 2014
Feb. 5, 2014
Feb. 9, 2014
Feb. 10, 2014
Feb. 12, 2014
Feb. 16, 2014
Feb. 17, 2014
Feb. 18, 2014
Feb. 20, 2014
Feb. 23, 2014
Feb. 24, 2014
Feb. 26, 2014
March 4, 2014
March 5, 2014
March 7, 2014
March 9, 2014
March 10, 2014
March 11, 2014
March 12, 2014
Weekend of March 14, 2014
March 17, 2014
March 19, 2014
March 26, 2014
April 2, 2014
April 7, 2014
April 9, 2014
Week of April 14-18
April 21, 2014
April 23, 2014
April 25, 2014
April 26, 2014

April 28, 2014

April 29, 2014


April 30, 2014

Tasks

Initial client meeting


Develop agency style guide
Turn in agency style guide
Develop letter of agreement
Turn in letter of agreement
Client meeting
Develop campaign research report draft
Turn in campaign research report draft
Peer evaluation #1 due
Develop strategic message plan
Client meeting
Turn in strategic message plan
IRB approves survey
Client meeting
Client meeting
Develop event plan memo
Christ the King survey distribution
Turn in event plan memo
St. Albans survey distribution
Healing Place Church survey distribution
Analyze survey results
Peer evaluation #2 due

Peer evaluation #3 due


Post camapign edits
Complete GOST
Jensen edits GOST
Spring Break
Complete implementation section
Campaign event
Analyze second survey results
Record video blog
Create evaluation section
Create presentation slides
First draft of camapign book complete
Final edits by Jensen
Print camapgin book

Person:
Clare Gleeson
Megan Gibbs

Allie Jarreau
Bren Calhoun

Margaret Price
Allie, Alexis & Bren
Alexis & Erin
Alexis Nicaud
Margaret, Bren & Clare
Allie & Megan
Bren Calhoun
Erin Boyd
Clare Gleeson
Megan Gibbs

Allie Jarreau
Bren Calhoun
Team
Bren Calhoun
Alexis & Clare
Erin Boyd

Margaret Price

Client evaluation due


Practice presentation outside class
Campaign book due
Campaign presentation
Final peer evaluation due
25

Campaign Budget
Item

Venue
Caterer
Candles
Pebbles
Pens
Front sign
Balloons
Clear plates
Clear cups
Napkins
Utensils
Party bags & tissue paper
Projector
IPOD
Vases
Tables
Table cloths
Chairs
Microphone
Models clothes
Programs
Speakers
Budget
Total

Number of Items
10
3 bags
5 packs
1
12
150
150
10 packs
4 packs each
20
1
1
10
10
10
100
1
150
2

Estimated Price

$750
$1,000
$13
$8
$15
$125
$14
$40
$35
$20
$20
$21
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0

$2,500
$2,047.00

*Budget is based off an attendance of 150 guests

26

27

Objectives
Objective 1
awareness about the existence of Connections for Lifes reentry program by 10 percent from Feb. 3, 2014 to April
25, 2014.
Outtakes Evaluation: Through the use of both traditional and social media, we greatly increased awareness of
Connections for Life. As far as traditional media goes, a press release was published in The Advocate and Belle
Public Relations did an interview with WBRZs 2une In about Fashion for a Cause which has over 300 online
views. Social media engagement also increased as the Connections for Life Facebook page likes increased by 10
percent and the Twitter page followers increased by 96 percent. We are also happy to report that 92 percent of
program attendees understood the mission of Connections for Life upon the conclusion of the campaign.
One of the main messages our target audiences took away from our campaign was Connections for Lifes reliance
on the community in order to support the reentry program. This was evident in the total dollar amount we
collected in donations from members of the community who were drawn to support the cause. Another message
that impacted our audiences was that Louisiana has the highest incarceration rates of any other state. We
communicated this message with the use of statistics throughout the campaign on social media and on fact sheets
at the fundraising event. Pre and post-survey results indicated that our target audience was initially unaware of
extremely high incarceration rates Louisiana faces.
Objective 2
donations in the amount of $6,000 to help fund the living costs of women in the Connections for Life program from
Feb. 3, 2014 to April 25, 2014.
Outcomes Evaluation
both Facebook and Twitter, we raised over $14,785 for the event. This number exceeds our initial goal of $6,000,
and were proud to say that many Baton Rouge businesses were more than willing to donate to Connections
for Life. Also as a result of seeing our promotional messages, approximately 100 people attended Fashion for a
Cause. Among those who attended the event, 60 percent expressed interest in supporting Connections for Life
again at some point in the near future.

Conceptualization and design


Working with Connections for Life, Belle Public Relations designed a campaign to both increase program awareness
and raise funds on behalf of the organization. In order to determine the audiences awareness of the program before
we engaged in any awareness efforts, a survey was created and distributed to members of three local churches. To
planned for and executed as a partner with Connections for Life. Additionally, the Connections for Life Facebook and

Methods
Belle Public Relations created and distributed two surveys in order to gauge awareness of the Connections for Life
program and mission within the Baton Rouge community. The pre-campaign survey was distributed to individuals at
least 18 years of age at three local churches (Healing Place Church, Christ the King Catholic Church and St. Albans
Episcopal Church). The survey questions assessed our target audiences awareness of the organization prior to
the fundraising event, Fashion for a Cause. Following the fashion show and silent auction at Fashion for a Cause,
event attendees were asked to complete a post-campaign survey. This survey contained identical questions to the
pre-campaign survey in order to measure differences in awareness. Both surveys took participants 10 to 15 minutes
to complete.

28

Measures
Belle Public Relations measured the increase in awareness by comparing the initial survey results to the results
collected at the conclusion of the campaign. Results showed that awareness of Connections for Life exponentially
increased. In addition, both the Twitter and Facebook pages received an increase of followers and likes. Additionally,
there was an increase in the number of re-tweets, interactions and mentions on the Connections for Life Twitter
feed. Lastly, the initial goal of raising $6,000 from the campaign was achieved thanks to ticket sales, auction item sale
prices and donations from various sponsors.

Facebook Insights Summary


Belle Public Relations had the Facebook Connections for Life page from March 30, 2014 until April 27, 2014. In this
time, we posted a total of 14 different statuses about the organization and our event Fashion for a Cause. Compared
to previous months, this was an increase in posting amounts. Demographically, 79 percent of the people who like the
page are women and 20 percent are men. 89 percent of women are engaged with the posts and eight percent are
men. The initial page likes number was 509 and at the end of our Facebook campaign it had increased to 560. This
was a 10 percent increase in overall page likes for Connections for Life, which was our objective.

Twitter Insights Summary


Belle Public Relations tweeted on behalf of Connections for life from March 17 - April 27, 2014. The number of
followers increased from 28 to 58, showing a 96 percent increase within the 5-week period. The content posted was
mainly related to Fashion for a Cause, yet a small percentage informed the audience of various statistics related to
the Louisiana incarceration system and retweets. In total, 46 tweets were published. Connections for life received 27
retweets, 6 favorites and was mentioned or tagged by seven different Twitter accounts.

Media Schedule
Two months before Fashion for a Cause, Belle Public Relations sent a press release and media advisory to local print
media; 225 magazine, inRegister, Baton Rouge Business Report, The Advocate, Times Picayune and DIG magazine.
Karen Stagg emailed and communicated with WBRZ and WAFB about a morning news segment.
Karen and Margaret were interviewed Tuesday, March 22 at 6:20 a.m. on WBRZ news channel.

Fashion for a Cause appeared in inRegisters e-newsletter, Avenue Rouge, as the second top story.
Highlighted on The Advocates online calendar.
Highlighted on Houmatoday.coms online calendar.
Highlighted on eventful.coms event page.
Featured on WAFBs online event page.
Featured in The Advocates party column, Pams Party Line. Writer, Pam Bordelon attended event and took pictures
for column.
The media advisory was sent to the same print media outlets one week prior to event as a reminder.

29

Future Recommendations/Stewardship Suggestions


Belle Public Relations suggests that Connections for Life has a fashion show annually to complement any other
fundraisers to support the program in the future. The organization needs to better incorporate the residents of the
program into their fundraising events to harness more support and dedication to the cause from the community.
To accomplish this, we encourage more of the residents in the Connections for Life program to be models in future
fashion shows so they can interact with the community members and build lasting and supportive relationships
they prepare themselves to graduate the program and live on their own. As relationships meaningful relationships
with the residents increase, the success of a fashion show and silent auction event will follow in the same manner.

Conclusion
Belle Public Relations held an initial meeting with Karen Stagg, executive director of Connections for Life, to get a
better understanding of the program and its needs. Next, we determined our target audiences and measured their
awareness of the program and its mission through a printed survey. We also used secondary research to compare
incarceration and reentry program statistics as well as the success rates of like programs. Our decision to use
traditional media greatly helped to increase awareness within the community. The Advocate, DIG Magazine,
InRegister, WAFB and WBRZ covered Fashion for a Cause reaching more than just our target audiences of
information cards, donation and sponsorship forms and a save-the-date email blast among our target audiences. We
also gave a short promotional speech at LSUs Pizza and Policy event hosted by Equality for HER. Overall, we are
very pleased with the reach of the campaign and its messages and believe our fundraising efforts and event
participation were the major strengths of our campaign.

30

31

About the Program. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.connectionsforlife.net/about-connections-for-life-batonrouge/


Chang, C. (2012, May 29). Louisiana is the worlds prison capital. The Times
Picayune. Retrieved from http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/ 2012/05/louisiana_is_the_worlds_prison.html
Chang, C. (2012, May 20). Prison re-entry programs help inmates leave the criminal mindset behind, but few have
access to the classes. The Times-Picayune. http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2012/05/prison_re-entry_programs_help.html
City and Parish Demographics. (2013). Retrieved from http://brgov.com/demographics.htm.
City and Parish Demographics. (17, January 2013). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved from http://brgov.com/
demographics.htm
TOOLS/AnnualReport.aspx

Food Pantry. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.connectionsforlife.net/food-pantry-baton-rouge/


Jacobs, D. (2008, November 3). Doing more with less. Greater Baton Rouge Business Report. Retrieved from http://
www.businessreport.com/article/20081103/ BUSINESSREPORT01/311039963
Jordan, J., Madsen, S., Melis, A., Miller, B., & Spenner, D. (2005). Building an Offender Reentry Program: A Guide for
Law Enforcement. Bureau of Justice Assistance. Retried from http://www.theiacp.org/portals/0/pdfs/ReentryProgramGuide.pdf
Our Mission. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.connectionsforlife.net/connections-for-life-mission-baton-rouge/
Prisoner Re-entry Issues and Answers. (2012). United States Department of Labor. Retrieved from http://www.doleta.gov/rexo/pdf/Prisoner_Reentry _Issues_Questions.pdf
Special Thanks. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.connectionsforlife.net/special-thanks-sponsors-baton-rouge/
Williams, T. (2012, February 21). Program helps incarcerated women re-enter theworkforce. WAFB 9 News
Baton Rouge. Retrieved from http://www.wafb.com/story/16935791/program-helps-incarcerated-women-re-enter-the-workforce

32

101 Journalism Building


Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

2286 Highland Road


Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Letter of Agreement
This binding letter of agreement, effective Feb. 17, 2014, is between Belle Public Relations and Connections for Life,
dependence to independence.
Connections for Life approached Belle Public Relations about utilizing its services to help create awareness for the
organization and its mission, as well as seek new donor and sponsorship opportunities. The partnership began on
Feb. 3, 2014 following an initial meeting with Connections for Life and will continue until the end of the spring
semester in May 2014.
of Connections for Life throughout the semester. The account liaison will serve as the primary contact between
the two partners and will oversea the execution of all work discussed in this agreement. Six additional directors will
assist in the desires of Connections for Life, specializing in the following areas: design, events, research, strategy and
writing.
Project Description
Belle Public Relations will provide its service to Connections for Life and will work throughout the semester to
Relations will execute extensive research, coordinate a fundraising event and develop strategic plans to succeed in
the promotion of Connections for Life.
Project Objectives
Belle Public Relations will perform the following actions to aid Connections for Life in its efforts to increase its
programs awareness and support community involvement:
Rewrite the Connections for Life mission statement
Create an awareness campaign through various media outlets
Plan and execute a fundraising event in the Baton Rouge community
Edit and advance the Connections for Life existing website
Devise a plan to better publically indicate the allocation of donation funds
Create an informational video about Connections for Life that can be shown during educational and recruitment
presentations
Develop a social media strategy for Connections for Life to implement in the future utilizing Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram and YouTube
All written and design materials created by Belle Public Relations will not be printed or publically distributed without
prior approval from Connections for Life.
33

Belle Public Relations and Connections for Life both acknowledge and agree to each others roles and
responsibilities in this partnership and look forward to creating a successful public relations campaign. Belle Public
Relations supports Connections for Life and will put forth great effort while executing every aspect of the campaign.
Connections for Life understands that Belle Public Relations is in its beginning stages and recognizes its members
additional responsibilities as students at Louisiana State University.
Relations and Connections for Life.

x__________________________________

x__________________________________

Date: 2/17/14

Date: 2/17/14

Karen Stagg, executive director


Connections for Life

Allie Jarreau, account liaison


Belle Public Relations

x__________________________________

x__________________________________

Date: 2/17/14

Date: 2/17/14

Erin Boyd, strategy director


Belle Public Relations

Clare Gleeson, strategy director


Belle Public Relations

x__________________________________

x__________________________________

Date: 2/17/14

Date: 2/17/14

Megan Gibbs, design director


Belle Public Relations

Alexis Nicaud, writing director


Belle Public Relations

x__________________________________

x__________________________________

Date: 2/17/14

Date: 2/17/14

Bren Calhoun, research director


Belle Public Relations

Margaret Price, event director


Belle Public Relations

34

1. What church do you attend?


a. Never
b. Seldom
c. Sometimes
d. Very Often
3. How important is it for you to be involved in your community?
a. Not Important
b. Somewhat Important
c. Neutral
d. Important
e. Very Important
4. I enjoy giving back to the community.
a. Not Important
b. Somewhat Important
c. Neutral
d. Important
e. Very Important
5. I believe that helping people is important.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
6. Without help from others, it is impossible for an incarcerated woman to get back on her feet after she is released
from jail.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
7. I believe that people deserve a second chance after being incarcerated.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
8. I feel unsafe or uncomfortable when I am around women who have recently been released from prison.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
9. How did you hear about Connections for Life?
a. Social media (I.e., Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc.)
b. Traditional media outlets (Newspaper, magazines, etc.)
c. Family or friends
d. You know someone in the program
e. You havent heard of them until now
f. Other...
i. Let us know:_____________________________________________________________
10. Connections for Life offers a valuable service to the Baton Rouge community.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
35

Connections for Life is in the community?


a. Very involved
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. Not involved at all
12. Connections for Life needs to improve in the following areas (circle all that apply):
a. Social Media
b. Fundraising
c. Website
d. Nature of community involvement (fundraising events, volunteer work, etc.)

13. I support Connections for Lifes mission to foster the development of a healthy lifestyle pattern for
single and indigent women recently released from prison.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
a. Honest
b. Helpful
c. Effective

1
1
1

2
2
2

3
3
3

4
4
4

5
5
5

Dishonest
Unnecessary
Ineffective

15. How important do you believe Connections for Life is to women entering the community after prison?
a. Very important
b. Somewhat important
c. Unsure
d. Somewhat unimportant
e. Very unimportant
16. There should be more programs like Connections for Life in the Baton Rouge community.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
17. I wish Connections for Life could help more than 25 women a year coming out of the prison system.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
revert to their old ways.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
19. Connections for Life offers women a new chance to live a positive life.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
20. I can relate to the women in the Connections for Life program.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
36

21. On a scale of 1 to 5, how often have you visited the Connections for Life thrift store, with 1 meaning never and 5
meaning multiple times per month?
a. Never b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. Multiple times per month
22. How many Connections for Life charity events have you attended?
a. None
b. 1-5
c. 6-10
d. 11-15
23. Would you be willing to volunteer/donate to Connections for Life?
a. No
b. Unlikely
c. Likely
d. Yes
24. How much would you donate to Connections for Life?
a. $0
b. $5-10
c. $10-20
d. $50+
25. I am interested in learning more about Connections for Life and how I can get involved.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
26. Age _________
27. Gender: Male or Female
28. Race:
a. American Indian/Native American
b. Asian
c. Black/African American
d. Hispanic/Latino
e. White/Caucasian
f. Other
29. Are you currently employed?
a. Yes
b. No
30. House Hold income before taxes:
a. Less than $10,000
b. $10,000-$34,999
c. $35,000-$59,999
d. $60,000-$84,999
e. $85,000-$109,999
f. $110,000-$149,999
g. $150+
31. What is the highest level of schooling you have completed so far?
a. High school
b. 1-3 years of college
c. College Graduate
d. Graduate school
With this study we hope to gain information and knowledge that will help us better understand the attitudes,
interests and community involvement behaviors of church members in the Baton Rouge community. The results from
this survey will aid in the enhancement of Connections for Life and will expand the organizations awareness within
the Baton Rouge community. LSU IRB Approval E8679

37

For this campaign, our agency decided to conduct our research with a print survey as opposed to an online survey
because we wanted our research to be more personal. We wanted to immerse ourselves in the organization and
thought being present while our target audiences shared what they knew about the Connections for Life
program would help establish positive relationships moving forward. The survey consists of 25 questions
survey was distributed to three local churches (Christ the King Catholic Church, Healing Place Church and St.
Albans Episcopal Church). Out of 82 participants in the pre-campaign survey, 41 of them were female, 32 were male
and 9 participants did not specify. The survey participants were predominantly White/Caucasian. Out of the 82
participants in the post-campaign survey, 63 of them were female and 19 were male. Participants in this study were
also predominantly White/Caucasian. By distributing the survey before the campaign, we were able to get an idea of
the level of awareness in the Baton Rouge community and how to move forward with our campaign with
Connections for Life. After conducting the survey again at the conclusion of our campaign, we were able to conclude
that awareness for Connections for Life in the Baton Rouge community was increased by 60 percent.
The following graphs show the results of the pre and post-campaign awareness survey. The survey was distributed
to participants at the start of the campaign and at the conclusion of the campaign following the Fashion for a Cause
fundraising event.

1. What church do you attend?


Responses when participants were asked what church they attend in the Baton Rouge community.

38

3. How important is it for you to be involved in your community?


Responses when participants were asked about the importance of being involved in their community.

4. I enjoy giving back to the community.


Responses when participants were asked if they enjoy giving back to the community.

5. I believe that helping people is important.


Responses when participants were asked about the importance of helping people in the community.

6. Without help from others, it is impossible for an incarcerated woman to get back on her feet after she is released
from jail.
Responses when participants were asked about the probability of previously incarcerated women getting back on
their feet after being released from jail.

39

7. I believe that people deserve a second chance after being incarcerated.


Responses when participants were asked if they believe a person deserves a second chance after being incarcerated.

8. I feel unsafe or uncomfortable when I am around women who have recently been released from prison.
Responses from participants when asked if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable when they are around women that
have recently been released from prison.

9. How did you hear about Connections for Life?


Responses when participants were asked how they were familiar with Connections for Life.

10. Connections for Life offers a valuable service to the Baton Rouge community.
Responses from participants when asked about the value Connections for Life holds in the Baton Rouge community.

40

Connections for Life is in the community?


Responses when participants were asked about Connection for Lifes involvement in the Baton Rouge community.

12. Connections for Life needs to improve in the following areas (circle all that apply):
Responses when participants were asked about areas of improvement for Connections for Life.

13. I support Connection for Lifes mission to foster the development of a healthy lifestyle pattern for single and indigent women recently released from prison.
Responses from participants when asked if they support Connections for Lifes mission to foster the development of
a healthy lifestyle pattern for single and indigent women recently released from prison.

Responses when participants were asked to rate Connections for Life based on honesty, whether the program is
helpful and effectiveness.
a. Honesty:

41

b. Helpful:

c. Effective:

15. How important do you believe Connections for Life is to women entering the community after prison?
Responses when participants were asked about the importance of the Connections for Life program for women
entering the community after prison.

16. There should be more programs like Connections for Life in Baton Rouge.
Responses when participants were asked about the importance of having other programs similar to Connections for
Life in Baton Rouge.

42

17. I wish Connections for Life could help more than 25 women a year coming out of the prison system.
Responses when participants were asked about the number of women in the Connections for Life program per year.

revert to their old ways.


are in the program.

19. Connections for Life offers women a new chance to live a positive life.
Responses when participants were asked about women having an opportunity at a positive life through Connections
for Life.

20. I can relate to the women in the Connections for Life program.
Responses when participants were asked if they could relate to the women in the Connections for Life program.

43

21. On a scale of 1 to 5, how often have you visited the Connections for Life thrift store, with 1 meaning never and 5
meaning multiple times per month?
Responses when participants were asked how many times they had frequented the Connections for Life thrift store.

22. How many Connections for Life charity events have you attended?
Responses when participants were asked about the number of Connections for Life charity events they had
attended.

23. Would you be willing to volunteer/donate to Connections for Life?


Responses when participants were asked about the probability that they would volunteer their time or donate
money to Connections for Life.

24. How much would you donate to Connections for Life?


Responses when participants were asked how much they would donate to Connections for Life.

44

25. I am interested in learning more about Connections for Life and how I can get involved.
Responses when participants were asked if they were interested in learning more about Connections for Life and
how they can get involved.

26. Age:
Responses when participants were asked their age.

27. Gender:
Responses when participants were asked their gender.

28. Race:
Responses when participants were asked their race.

45

29. Are you currently employed?


Responses when participants were asked about their current employment status.

30. House Hold income before taxes:


Responses when participants were asked about their house hold income before taxes.

31. What is the highest level of schooling you have completed so far?
Responses when participants where asked their level of education.

46

Campaign Goal
To raise awareness about the Connections for Life program and clearly communicate its mission of empowering
women to become independent members of their communities.

Client: Key Facts


Connections For Life is a 12-month reentry and transitional housing program for women coming from prison,
treatment facilities, battered womens shelters and other referral agencies (About the Program, 2012).
Connections For Life was founded in February 2000 (About the Program, 2012).
Connections For Life provides each resident an initially rent-free, fully-furnished apartment, clothing, food, job
Connections For Life provides transportation to and from work, medical appointments, grocery store, recovery
meetings and many other services (About the Program, 2012).

emotional healing (About the Program, 2012).


Connections For Lifes goal is to help the women we serve learn how to be proactive in improving their lives and to
go from being dependent to being independent (About the Program, 2012).
Connections For Life runs on a volunteer basis (About the Program, 2012).

Program: Key Features


The program promotes physical well-being and emotional healing for all participants in the form of mandatory
counseling and access to medical care (About the Program, 2012).

their living expenses (About the Program, 2012).


Each woman who enters the program is provided an initially rent-free and fully furnished apartment in addition to
food and clothing (About the Program, 2012).
The program provides all women with transportation to and from work, medical appointments, grocery stores,
recovery meetings and more (About the Program, 2012).
The program is yearlong so that it can provide the women with ample time to go from being dependent to being
independent and to reconnect with their children and family members (About the Program, 2012).

Target Audience
The primary audiences essential to our awareness campaign are local college students, church congregations,
established professionals, and potential sponsors, or local businesses.
The East Baton Rouge Parishs population is composed of 47.9 percent Caucasian, 44.8 percent African American,
3.3 percent Hispanic, 2.7 percent Asian and .01 percent Native American residents. The remaining 1.2 percent is
made up of other races (City and Parish Demographics, 2013).
There are currently 1,500 inmates housed in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison; 184 of those prisoners are
female. There are currently 2,537 participants involved with the prisons rehabilitation efforts. (East Baton Rouge
The Baton Rouge labor force consists of 183,031 people. 107,805 residents, or 58.9 percent, are employed.
Approximately 5.4 percent of the labor force are business owners (City and Parish Demographics, 2013).
The median income in Baton Rouge is $37,381. 24.8 percent of the population is currently living under the poverty
line. (City and Parish Demographics, 2013).
47

Thirty-three percent of the population has a bachelors degree or higher (City and Parish Demographics, 2013).

worthwhile cause. They are empathetically motivated to contribute to programs that enhance the community and
enable others to improve their lives (City and Parish Demographics, 2013).

Program Benefits
this program are coming from prison, treatment facilities, battered womens shelters and other referral agencies, and
Connections for Life helps them learn how to be proactive in improving their lives and to go from being dependent to
women go from being a detriment or threat to the community to a model citizen working toward the betterment of
themselves and their family.

Direct Competitors and brand images


Connections for Lifes main competitor is OBrien House. OBrien House focuses on drug and alcohol rehabilitation
for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts in Baton Rouge. Similar to Connections for Life, the program provides
support for clients as they transition from in-patient treatment to independent living. The organization also offers
intermediate care services such as residential and outpatient treatment, prevention services and adult education for
female indigents. Connections for Lifes Karen Stagg said many female offenders in Louisiana are incarcerated due to
drug and alcohol abuse and OBrien House often targets this sector of the population. However, while OBrien House
provides an array of rehabilitation services, they do not specialize in reentry programs for past offenders who do not
struggle with drug and alcohol abuse. Additionally, the center only provides support services for up to six months
after entry into the program.

InDirect Competitors and brand images


The personal lives of the target audience of established professionals and potential sponsors in the Baton Rouge
for Life program. Audiences may feel that their donations would make more of a difference at other, more popular
for Life would subtract from free time spent outside of professional work and outside responsibilities. Potential
donors may also feel that personal obligations take priority over volunteer efforts or attending fundraising events.

Program brand image


Current
incarcerated women. This lack of awareness hurts the organizations funding and limits the program from
expanding.
Desired
Connections for Life will be known as an effective organization doing good in the community with all previous
Challenges
jail. The lack of donations limits the campaign from reaching its maximum potential and utilizing certain media
outlets.
48

The Promise
through a 12-month reentry and transitional housing program.

The Proof
Stagg [the director of Connections for Life] says she receives calls often from women who have gone through the
program and are now contributing to community (Williams, 2012).
Louisianas incarceration rate is nearly double the national average, which is costing taxpayers billions. The fact that
offenders (Chang, 2012).

(Chang, 2012).
Bridge to Hope [a reentry program in Bend, Oregon] assists 60 female offenders per year and achieves a 90
percent success rate working with women returning from prison (Prisoner Re-entry Issues and Answers, 2012).
A two-year old reentry program in one of the worst areas of Ft. Wayne achieved a 66 percent success rate over
12 months. This program saved the city and county nearly $1 million each year in policing, court, incarceration and
victimization costs (Prisoner Re-entry Issues and Answers, 2012).

49

Email: ajarre6@lsu.edu | Phone: 281.203.4871


Address: 211 Journalism Building
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Memorandum
DATE:

April 23, 2014

TO:

Karen Stagg
Connections for Life, Inc. executive director
kstagg@connectionsforlife.net
225.439.8575

FROM:

Belle Public Relations


ajarre6@lsu.edu
281.203.4871

SUBJECT:

Event plan

Plan Introduction
Belle Public Relations will host a fundraising event for Connections for Life at the Womans Club of Baton Rouge on
encourage donations to support the reentry program.

Research summary
In the past, Connections for Life held an annual golf tournament as a fundraising event in the community. Although
the tournaments were successful, Karen Stagg and Belle Public Relations felt that a fashion show would be a fresh,
new opportunity to raise money. While the golf tournaments did a great job obtaining donations, it did not provide an
environment for the community to interact and connect with the women in the Connections for Life program.
Fashion for a Cause aims to not only raise funds, but also seeks to increase awareness within the Baton Rouge
community. Based on our research, almost 80 percent of our target audiences both support and enjoy giving back to
the community and engaging in events that support local charities. From there, we compared the interests of both
the target audiences and the women in the Connections for Life program and learned that shopping was a popular
hobby among both groups. With that being said, Belle Public Relations chose a fashion show fundraiser because it
incorporates the interests of all parties and will therefore draw different groups together for the common goal of
bettering women in the Baton Rouge community.

50

Situation Analysis
empowered indigent women to become independent members of society by providing a 12-month reentry program.
community support. Despite successful golf tournament fundraisers in the past, executive director Karen Stagg
indicated that the tournaments did not incorporate the residents of the program as well as she would like. The
communications the Connections for Life mission and promotes interaction between community members and
program residents. To help resolve this issue, Belle Public Relations is planning a fashion show event to be held on
April 25, 2014, which will celebrate some of the women in the program. After talking with Karen Stagg, we decided
that our theme Fashion for a Cause would represent both the event and what it aims to do. Sponsors and donors
silent auction event for Connections for Life.

Goal
achieve independence and fully acclimate to their surrounding communities.

Target Audiences
Local business owners and professionals: Belle Public Relations is currently working to draw business professionals

Church congregations: Belle Public Relations is currently working to attract the parishioners of local church
congregations in Baton Rouge. We hope that their attendance at the event will help increase awareness of the
Connections for Life program and lead to future community involvement.
College students: Belle Public Relations is currently working to encourage awareness among college students
organization in Baton Rouge.

WIN Analysis
Local business owners and professionals:
Wants: Personal recognition and professional and monetary success
Interests: Professional advancement, networking opportunities, community involvement and awareness and local
business activity
Needs: Job security and monetary success in order to survive and provide for themselves
Church congregation:
Wants: Religious satisfaction, family and friendship, community involvement and respect
Interests: Issue awareness, community support and contributing to the betterment of society as a whole

College students:

Interests: Local events, social interactions, professional networking and community service opportunities
Needs: Monetary support and academic achievement in order to reach their personal and professional goals
51

Objective
Objective for church congregations and potential business sponsors in Baton Rouge to have an effect on action,
for Life program at Fashion for a Cause from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. on April 25, 2014.

Strategies
Use traditional and social media directed at local Baton Rouge church congregations to promote Connections for
Lifes mission of empowering women to become independent members of society.
Use print and social media directed at local Baton Rouge businesses to communication the importance of
community involvement to the success of the organization, therefore encouraging sponsorships and donations prior
to the Fashion for Life fundraising event on April 25, 2014.

Theme
The theme for the fashion show is Fashion for a Cause. Belle Public Relations wants the theme to represent both

Core messages
Local business owners and professionals: Becoming a sponsor or donor for the Connections for Life program will
give women a second chance at a stable future that would otherwise be virtually impossible for them to obtain.
Church congregation: Becoming a volunteer, advocate or donor for Connections for Life will have lasting positive
impacts on the lives of women and children in the local community.
College students: Becoming a volunteer or Connections for Life thrift store shopper will help increase the programs
effectiveness, thus creating a safer community environment by teaching women how to become independent
citizens.

Communications Channels
According to our research, over 90 percent of our target audience uses Facebook and television on a daily basis as
will utilize the Connections for Life Facebook page and time on the WBRZ local news channel to promote the
fundraising event and its cause to our publics.

Deliverables
Belle Public Relations created the following deliverables during our campaign to help create awareness and raise
funds for Connections for Life.

distributed copies to Connections for Life, churches and local businesses.


Donation form - We created a donation form to record information from event donors, sponsors and/or patrons.
Sponsorship package - A sponsorship package form was created to outline the various sponsorship packages and
what sponsors received for their support.
Event ticket - An event ticket to provide proof of sale was created to give to all of those who purchased a ticket
from a member of the campaign team.
Facebook event cover photo - A graphic was created for the Facebook event page cover photo to catch peoples
attention and allow for sharing of the event.
52

Eventbrite registration page - An Eventbrite registration website page was created for convenience to allow people
to buy tickets online.
Facebook event page - A Facebook event was created through the Connections for Life Facebook page to help
increase awareness about the event, remind guests about the event and allow them to share it with their friends.
Save the date email blast - We created an email blast through Mailchimp to easily send to potential event
supporters to urge them to buy a ticket on our Eventbrite page.
Silent auction donor cards - Cards were created for the silent auction that listed who donated the item.
Information cards - Cards were created to collect event attendee contact information.
Event program - The event program was given to attendees to inform them about the evenings schedule and
recognize both sponsors and donors.
Silent auction bid sheet - A silent auction bid sheet was created to describe the auction items and allow event attendees to bid on the item and provide their contact info.
Press release - We created a press release with information to write a story on the event or program to provide to
local media outlets such as 225 magazine, DIG magazine, inRegister, Baton Rouge Business Report, The Advocate,
Times Picayune, WAFB and WBRZ.
Media advisory - The media advisory was sent to the media the press release was sent to before the Fashion for a
Cause event to remind reporters about the events details.
Talking points - We created talking points for emcee Julie Baxter to ensure she mentioned everything we needed or
wanted her to address.
Model emcee script - This script was provided to our model emcee, Blair Brown. An about me questionnaire was
Event signage - To direct guests during the event, we created event signage to place on the venues property.
Promotional event video - We created the promotional video, which outlines the Connections for Life program and
highlights some program members, to be played during the event. Karen Stagg will also use the video during future
informational presentations.
Model thank you notes - The Belle PR team created and distributed thank-you notes to all of the models that
participated in the Fashion for a Cause fashion show.
Survey - A survey aimed at local church congregations was created to gauge awareness and knowledge of the
Connections for Life program.

53

Campaign Budget
Item

Venue
Caterer
Candles
Pebbles
Pens
Front sign
Balloons
Clear plates
Clear cups
Napkins
Utensils
Party bags & tissue paper
Projector
IPOD
Vases
Tables
Table cloths
Chairs
Microphone
Models clothes
Programs
Speakers
Budget
Total

Number of Items
10
3 bags
5 packs
1
12
150
150
10 packs
4 packs each
20
1
1
10
10
10
100
1
150
2

Estimated Price

$750
$1,000
$13
$8
$15
$125
$14
$40
$35
$20
$20
$21
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0

$2,500
$2,047.00

*Budget is based off an attendance of 150 guests

54

Donation Budget
Donated By

Kendra Scott
Terry Demarche
Connections
Connections
Connections
Nicki Skelton
Lee Michaels
Robert Roth Jewelers
Christian Street Furniture
Keigh Ballard
Connections
Carol Cook
Williams Cosmetic Center
Power Washing Unlimited
Grace George
Equality for HER
Air Blow Dry Bar
The Rum House
Dressbarn
LSU Athletics
Rickey Heromans
Co-Op Bookstore
Maxwells Market
Lance Hayes Flowers
The Dermatology Clinic
Izzos Illegal Burritos
Mignon Faget
R & D Builders & Design
R & D Builders & Design
R & D Builders & Design
R & D Builders & Design
R & D Builders & Design
R & D Builders & Design
Rigsby Frederick Salon
Dee Keller
Wild Wings of Fortune

Item

Danielle Eaerrning
Maui Jim Sunglasses
Cowboy boots
Elaine Tuner-Sophie purse
Vera Bradley Bags
Handmade Quilt
14-karat earrings
14-karat ring
Serving Tray
French oyster dish
Diamond cross necklace
Painting
Necklace
4 night stay at LA Masion Jolie
Hair and Makeup
Gift Card
Gift Card
Signed football by Les Miles
Gift basket
Gift basket
Orchid
Gift card x2 ($50.00 each)
Bee-Hive Necklace
Crystal Candlestick
Monkey Tea Pot
Large Leather Pillow x2
Large Red Pillows x3 @ $95 each
Original Oil Paintings
Pillow
Bracelet

Retail Price

$60.00
$259.00
$300.00
$100
$102.00
$75.00
$800.00
$600.00
$60.00
$40.00
$100.00
$50.00
$240.00
$425.00
$89.00
$2,000.00
$950.00
$50.00
$50.00
$100.00
$50.00
$50.00
$40.00
$60.00
$450.00
$100.00
$150.00
$95.00
$59.00
$109.00
$90.00
$285.00
$50.00
$180.00
$1,043.00
$75.00

*Because of the value of certain auction items, some qualitifed as sponsors (see next table).

55

Sponsor Budget
Donors

HER
Poisen IVY
Air Blow Dry Bar & Salon
Calhoun Family
Amedisys
Doyle Electric
Wilson Foundation
Turnaround Logistics
Anonymous
Dee Keller
Swap Boutique
Lee Michaels
Robert Roth Jewelers
Best in class tutoring
Louis Day
Power Washing Unlimited
The Dermatology Clinic
Williamson Cosmetic Center
First United Methodist Sunday Class
First United Methodist Seekers Sunday Class
Bowen & Amy McRae
Kathryn Grigsby
Mark Fucich
William Pecue
Louisiana USA FDU

Sponsor level

Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Silver
Silver
Silver
Silver
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze
Monetary Donation
Monetary Donation
Monetary Donation
Monetary Donation
Monetary Donation
Monetary Donation
Monetary Donation

Price

$2,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,043.00
$1,000.00
$800.00
$600.00
$500.00
$500.00
$425.00
$450.00
$240.00
$100.00
$100.00
$100.00
$100.00
$100.00
$100.00
$100.00

56

Event Schedule
Prior to Event

March 11, 2014


March 12, 2014
March 13, 2014

March 14, 2014


Week of March 17, 2014
March 18, 2014
Week of March 24, 2014
March 25, 2014
Week of March 31, 2014
March 31, 2014
April 1, 2014
April 5, 2014
Week of April 7, 2014
April 7, 2014
April 8, 2014
April 11, 2014
Week of April 14, 2014
April 14-20, 2014
Week of April 21, 2014

April 21, 2014

Tasks

First event meeting


Print event and marketing deliverables
Start selling tickets
Create EventBrite
Create Facebook Event Page
Gain access to Twitter page
Promote event on social media outlets
Send Press Release
Solidify emcee
GoogleDoc for auction item created
Client meeting
Promote event on social media outlets
Develop ideas for short video
Client meeting
Promote event on social media outlets
Finalize models
Client meeting
Complete video and have approved
Approach businesses for silent auction items
Promote event on social media outlets
Purchase table decorations
Contact emcee, caterer, venue and volunteers
Set up time when models can choose attire
Client meeting
Deliver silent auction items to Karen
Promote event on social media outlets
Spring Break
Promote event on social media outlets
Create and send media advisory
Save the date email blast
Develop event program

April 24, 2014

Create talking points for show


Sponsorship deadline
Client meeting
Create IPOD playlist
Print event and marketing deliverables
Client meeting
Fashion show run-through

Day of Event

Tasks

April 22, 2014


April 23, 2014

3 p.m.
4 p.m.
5 p.m.
5 p.m.
5 p.m.
5 p.m.
5 p.m.
5 p.m.
5 p.m.
5 p.m.
5:05 p.m.
5:10 p.m.

Arrive at venue
Help Air Blow with hair and makeup
Arrive at venue
Place balloons around room
Place programs and fun facts on tables
Caterer arrives and starts setting up food and drinks
Assists caterer with any help she needs
Models arrive to venue
Check in models. Send them to Allie.
Show models where to change and put items
Set up speakers and projector
Sound check

Person:
Megan Gibbs
Clare Gleeson
Megan Gibbs
Erin Boyd
Clare Gleeson
Clare, Erin
Alexis Nicaud, Allie
Belle team
Karen Stagg
Margaret Price
Erin & Clare
Team
Team
Erin & Clare
Allie, Clare & Erin
Clare Gleeson
Team
Erin & Clare
Margaret Price
Karen Stagg
Allie, Clare & Erin
Team
Erin & Clare
Erin & Clare
Alexis Nicaud
Karen Stagg
Megan Gibbs
Bren Calhoun
Alexis Nicaud
Karen Stagg
Allie Jarreau
Karen Stagg
Belle Team & models

Person:

Margaret
Allie, Erin & Clare
Megan, Alexis & Bren
Bren
Megan
Chef Celeste
Bren Calhoun
Models
Clare Gleeson
Allie Jarreau
Allie, Alexis
Alexis
57

Day of Event
5:15 p.m.
5:15 p.m.
5:15 p.m.
5:15 p.m.
5:20 p.m.
5:40 p.m.
6 p.m.
6 p.m.
6 p.m.
6 p.m.
6:10 p.m.
6:15 p.m.
6:15 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7 p.m.
7:02 p.m.
7:05 p.m.
7:10 p.m.
7:15 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
7:33 p.m.
7:40 p.m.
7:40 p.m.
7:45 p.m.
7:45 p.m.
8 p.m.
8:05 p.m.

Post Event

April 26, 2014

Tasks
Set up auction table
Set up front desk
Arrange surveys and pens on tables
Fashion show walk-thru and sound check
Walk-thru complete
Sit at check-in desk
Stand infront of door as greeters
Check silent auction tables one last time
Make sure food and drinks are stocked. Check music.
Anticipate guests arriving
Pam from Advocate arrives for picture
Emcee arrives and is brought to stage

Person:

Erin
Megan, Margaret
Erin
Bren
Models
Megan & Bren
Allie & Clare
Margaret
Alexis
Julie Baxter

Julie Baxter speaks about event and silent auction


Announce door prizes
Program woman testimony
Fashion show begins
Fashion show ends
Thank you from Karen
Begin video
Announce door prizes
Start passing out event survey
Announce that silent auction ends in 15 minutes
Announce door prizes
Silent auction ends
Clean up

Julie Baxter
Julie Baxter

Tasks

Person

Create thank you cards for auction item donors


Post event pictures on social media
Contact silent auction donation winners

Karen Stagg
Clare
Julie Baxter
Belle team
Julie Baxter
Julie Baxter
Belle team and volunteers
Team
Clare and Erin
Team

58

Evaluation Methods
We will measure a change in attitude among church congregations, businesses professionals and college students
through the use of a targeted awareness survey at the conclusion of the event on April 25, 2014.
We will measure the number who received the message to donate by counting event attendance, website visits
and social media interactions.
We will measure the quality of the message presentation by passing out comment cards to all who attended the
event and taking note of both positive and negative feedback.
We will measure the number of messages in the media by making copies or collecting screen shots of all media
mentions and interactions with Connections for Life across all social and traditional media outlets.

Conclusion
Belle Public Relations believes hosting a fashion show and silent auction will raise awareness about Connections For
Life and help to increase donations. With this event, we hope to raise $6,000 and increase the number of volunteers
for the organization within the community.
The fashion show will display the clothes that can be found at the Connections For Life thrift store, which will help to
increase its business. Women who participate in the program will also walk in the fashion show to help the attendees
of the event to further connect to their stories. On the day of the event, not many other events are taking place in
Baton Rouge so this will make it a priority for people to attend.

Backup Plans

If models notify us they cant attend last minute or are sick, well select a few friends to walk the show three times.

59

Consent Form
organization dedicated to rebuilding the lives of previously incarcerated women. Belle Public Relations account
liaison will serve as the primary contact between the organization and its clients and will oversee the execution of all
work. Six additional directors will assist in the following areas: design, events, research, strategy and writing.

Study Title
Research for Connections for Life

Performance Sites
Print

Contacts
Allie Jarreau | 281.203.4871 | M & W 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Megan Gibbs | 318.525.5899 | M & W 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Margaret Price | 845.594.5681 | M & W 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Bren Calhoun | 661.713.0834 | M & W 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Erin Boyd | 337.254.7174 | M & W 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Clare Gleeson | 650.224.2996 | M & W 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Alexis Nicaud | 225.588.9338 | M & W 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Purpose of the study


organization Connections for Life.

Subject Inclusion
Individuals older than 18 who attend one of the following three local churches in Baton Rouge, La.: Healing Place
Church, Christ the King Catholic Church and St. Albans Episcopal Church.

Number of Subjects
Maximum number of subjects anticipated is 100.

Subject procedures
The questions are not of a personal nature, and there is no risk to any subject involved in the research. The questions
pertain only to the subjects opinions and perceptions about Connections for Life and should take 10 to 15 minutes
to complete.
60

Benefits
organizations awareness within the community.

Risks/discomforts
This research poses no threat or harm toward participants.

Right to Refuse
All subjects hold the right to refuse participation at any time for any reason.

Privacy
The results and data obtained during this study will only be used to analyze and evolve the campaign for Connections
for Life. The information obtained will not be disclosed to any party outside of the class project. Instead, all data will

Financial Information
Connections for Life will donate homemade baked goods to each of the three participating congregations.

Signatures
I have read the above information and voluntarily agree to the terms and conditions of the study. I understand the
risks involved, and I am aware that I hold the right to terminate my participation at any time. The administrators
discussed the study with me, and I have no more questions at this time. If any concerns or questions form, Robert C.
Mathews, Chairman, LSU Institutional Review Board, is available for contact by phone (225- 578-8692) or by email
(irb@lsu.edu). I agree to participate in the study above, and acknowledge the obligation of the researchers to provide
me with a copy of my signed consent form.

Survey
organization, Connections for Life, and your own personal attitudes and behaviors.
1. What church do you attend?
a. Never
b. Seldom
c. Sometimes
d. Very Often
3. How important is it for you to be involved in your community?
a. Not Important
b. Somewhat Important
c. Neutral
d. Important
e. Very Important
4. I enjoy giving back to the community.
a. Not Important
b. Somewhat Important
c. Neutral
d. Important
e. Very Important

61

5. I believe that helping people is important.


a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
6. Without help from others, it is impossible for an incarcerated woman to get back on her feet after she is released
from jail.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
7. I believe that people deserve a second chance after being incarcerated.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
8. I feel unsafe or uncomfortable when I am around women who have recently been released from prison.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
9. How did you hear about Connections for Life?
a. Social media (I.e., Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc.)
b. Traditional media outlets (Newspaper, magazines, etc.)
c. Family or friends
d. You know someone in the program
e. You havent heard of them until now
f. Other...
i. Let us know:_____________________________________________________________
10. Connections for Life offers a valuable service to the Baton Rouge community.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
Connections for Life is in the community?
a. Very involved
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. Not involved at all
12. Connections for Life needs to improve in the following areas (circle all that apply):
a. Social Media
b. Fundraising
c. Website
d. Nature of community involvement (fundraising events, volunteer work, etc.)

13. I support Connections for Lifes mission to foster the development of a healthy lifestyle pattern for
single and indigent women recently released from prison.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
a. Honest
b. Helpful
c. Effective

1
1
1

2
2
2

3
3
3

4
4
4

5
5
5

Dishonest
Unnecessary
Ineffective

62

15. How important do you believe Connections for Life is to women entering the community after prison?
a. Very important
b. Somewhat important
c. Unsure
d. Somewhat unimportant
e. Very unimportant
16. There should be more programs like Connections for Life in the Baton Rouge community.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
17. I wish Connections for Life could help more than 25 women a year coming out of the prison system.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
revert to their old ways.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
19. Connections for Life offers women a new chance to live a positive life.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
20. I can relate to the women in the Connections for Life program.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
21. On a scale of 1 to 5, how often have you visited the Connections for Life thrift store, with 1 meaning never and 5
meaning multiple times per month?
a. Never b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. Multiple times per month
22. How many Connections for Life charity events have you attended?
a. None
b. 1-5
c. 6-10
d. 11-15
23. Would you be willing to volunteer/donate to Connections for Life?
a. No
b. Unlikely
c. Likely
d. Yes
24. How much would you donate to Connections for Life?
a. $0
b. $5-10
c. $10-20
d. $50+

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25. I am interested in learning more about Connections for Life and how I can get involved.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
e. Strongly Disagree
26. Age _________
27. Gender: Male or Female
28. Race:
a. American Indian/Native American
b. Asian
c. Black/African American
d. Hispanic/Latino
e. White/Caucasian
f. Other
29. Are you currently employed?
a. Yes
b. No
30. House Hold income before taxes:
a. Less than $10,000
b. $10,000-$34,999
c. $35,000-$59,999
d. $60,000-$84,999
e. $85,000-$109,999
f. $110,000-$149,999
g. $150+
31. What is the highest level of schooling you have completed so far?
a. High school
b. 1-3 years of college
c. College Graduate
d. Graduate school
With this study we hope to gain information and knowledge that will help us better understand the attitudes,
interests and community involvement behaviors of church members in the Baton Rouge community. The results from
this survey will aid in the enhancement of Connections for Life and will expand the organizations awareness within
the Baton Rouge community. LSU IRB Approval E8679

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Promotional Flier

CONNECTIONS FOR LIFE PRESENTS

EMPOWERING WOMEN TO BECOME INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY

friday, april 25

THE WOMANS CLUB 259 EAST BLVD. BATON ROUGE, LA 70802

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

FASHION SHOW
SILENT AUCTION

$20 fashionforacauseBR.eventbrite.com

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Donation Form
WHEN: Friday, April 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
WHERE: The Womans Club
259 East Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
WHAT: Fashion show and silent auction
WHY: Empowering women to become
independent members of their community

DONATION FORM
Connections for Life is a nonprofit, one-year re-entry program for women who are returning
to the community, primarily from prison. The program provides each woman housing,
clothing, food, job placement assistance, transportation, financial literacy, assistance with family
reunification and access to medical and mental health care. The goal of Connections for Life is
to assist women in going from dependence to independence. Connections for Life works to help
women help themselves.
Sponsor

Silent Auction Donation

Patron

Name: _______________________________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________________________
City/State:_____________________________________________________________________
Phone Number:________________________________________________________________
Email: _______________________________________________________________________
Donation Amount/Item: ________________________________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________________________________________
Mail forms and checks (payable to Connections for Life) to:
2286 Highland Road Baton Rouge, LA 70802
or contact Karen Stagg at kstagg@connectionsforlife.net or 225-439-8575.
To register online, please visit: http://fashionforacauseBR.eventbrite.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!


Connections for Life did not provide any goods or services in exchange for this contribution.
Connections for Life is a 501c(3). Federal Tax ID # 72-1471119.
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Sponsorship Package flier

WHEN: Friday, April 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m.


WHERE: The Womans Club
259 East Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
WHAT: Fashion show and silent auction
WHY: Empowering women to become
independent members of their community

Connections for Life is a nonprofit, one-year re-entry program for women who are returning
to the community, primarily from prison. The program provides each woman housing, clothing,
food, job placement assistance, transportation, financial literacy, assistance with family
reunification and access to medical and mental health care. The goal of Connections for Life is
to assist women in going from dependence to independence. Connections for Life works to help
women help themselves.

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE
Gold Sponsor
$1,000+

4 tickets to the event


Logo placement on event signage & program
Feature and logo placement on social media

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

2 tickets to the event


Logo placement on event signage & program

Logo placement on event signage & program


Donation placement on silent auction table

$500-$1,000

Donation item

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!


All donations are tax deductible. Connections for Life did not provide any goods or services in exchange for this
contribution. Connections for Life is a 501c(3). Federal Tax ID # 72-1471119.
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Event ticket

Friday, April 25
The Womans Club
259 East Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

no refunds

6:30-8:30 p.m.

$20

CONNECTIONS FOR LIFE PRESENTS

Fashion show and silent auction

Facebook Event Cover Photo

Eventbrite registration page

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Facebook event page

Save the date email blast

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Silent Auction Donor Cards


Item donated by:

Item donated by:

Kendra Scott

Georges Restaurant

Information cards

Name

Name

Email

Email

Address

Address

City

State

ZIP

City

State

ZIP

Event program
Front

Back

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Silent Auction Bid Sheet

Silent Auction
April 25, 2014

[Section Name]

Closing Time: [Time]

[Auction Item]

Item #[No.]

Item:

[Item Description]
Value: $[Amount] | Minimum bid: $Amount | Minimum bid increase: $[Amount]

Donated by:

[Name or Business]

Name
1.

Address

Phone

Email

Bid
$Amount

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Guaranteed
Purchase

$Amount

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Press Release

Email: ajarre6@lsu.edu | Phone: 281.203.4871


Address: 211 Journalism Building
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:


Allie Jarreau
Account liaison
ajarre6@lsu.edu
281.203.4871
Connections for Life to host Fashion for a Cause

Fashion for a Cause on Friday, April 25, 2014. The fundraiser hopes to raise awareness about the organization with
a fun night of fashion that will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Womans Club, Inc. located at 259 East Blvd.
Fashion for a Cause will educate and inform the community about the Connections for Life reentry support
services while encouraging Baton Rouge citizens to consider donating time or money to the organization. Women
from the Connections for Life program and other Baton Rouge volunteers will also be modeling clothes and
accessories from the organizations thrift store. Door prizes will be given throughout the night and event attendees
will bid on silent auction items donated by local businesses and boutiques. Chef Celeste Gill will provide
Boutique.
Executive Director Karen Stagg has been with Connections for Life for six years and is looking forward to the new
fundraising event. Connections is very excited about "Fashion For a Cause" and the opportunity to have a fun
evening that will help us raise much needed funding for our continued work of helping women learn to help
themselves, Stagg said. We are tremendously appreciative of the many ways the community supports our mission
of helping previously incarcerated women rebuild their lives and achieve a successful reentry to the community.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at www.fashionforacauseBR.eventbrite.com. If you
are interested in buying tickets, contact Connections for Life executive director Karen Stagg at
kstagg@connectionsforlife.net or 225.439.8575.
About Connections for Life
housing program for women coming from prison, treatment facilities, battered womens shelters and other referral
agencies. Founded in February 2000, the program empowers women to become strong, independent members of
their community. For more information, please visit the Connections for Life website at www.connectionsforlife.net.
###

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media Advisory

Email: ajarre6@lsu.edu | Phone: 281.203.4871


Address: 211 Journalism Building
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

media advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:


Allie Jarreau
Account liaison
ajarre6@lsu.edu
281.203.4871
Connections for Life to host Fashion for a Cause

What:
Cause. The fundraiser hopes to educate and inform the public about the organization with a fun night of
fashion, music and food.
Who:

Women from the Connections for Life program and other Baton Rouge volunteers will be modeling clothes
and accessories from the organizations thrift store and local boutiques. Door prizes will be given
throughout the night and event attendees will bid on silent auction items donated by local businesses and
community members. Julie Baxter will serve as emcee, and Chef Celeste Gill will cater the event.

Where: Womans Club, Inc.,


259 East Blvd.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
When:

Friday, April 25
6:30-8:00 p.m.

Why:

Connections for Life wishes to raise awareness about the program as well as encourage donor support
within the Baton Rouge community.

###

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Talking Points for Julie Baxter

Email: ajarre6@lsu.edu | Phone: 281.203.4871


Address: 211 Journalism Building
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Memorandum
Date:

April 24, 2014

To:

Mrs. Julie Baxter

From:

Margaret Price
Event director
mpric23@lsu.edu
845.594.5681

Subject:

Fashion for a Cause talking points

I am writing to recommend topics that need to be discussed at Fashion for a Cause on April 25. I have provided you
with talking points to use for the fashion show and throughout the evening. These points are to provide extra
information and suggestions only. I encourage you to make the speech your own and personalize this message. Do
not use these points verbatim.
Connections for Life is hosting Fashion for a Cause in order to raise awareness within the Baton Rouge community
about the program. We want to clearly communicate the following messages during the event:
Connections for Life is dedicated to empowering women to become independent members of their community.
Each year, the program assists 25 to 30 women and their children.
through a 12-month reentry and transitional housing program.
volunteerism, food and clothing donations or monetary support.
We need you to deliver these messages to the event attendees so we can educate and inform the community about
the importance of Connections For Lifes mission. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact
me at any time.

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Model Emcee Script

Email: ajarre6@lsu.edu | Phone: 281.203.4871


Address: 211 Journalism Building
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Model Emcee Script

*Models are listed in order. Please note that each model walks twice.
Girl. Lightweight and reversible jacket with a pop of red is sure to be one of her favorites all summer long. The black
pull on pants, also by City Girl are so comfortableshell wonder how she ever lined without them
great, feels playful, and will be comfortable all day long. With the option of putting many more tops from day to evening, this spring has not forgotten that the maxi skirt still reigns!
3. Dawn Williams is sure to have fun in this colorful drape back, knit top by Frank Lyman. On trend, without being
trendy, this ensemble incorporates the colors and comfort of the season. Notice the feminine lace inset in the back.
Paired with stretch pull on caprisDawn is ready for whatever the day brings!
4. Courtney Bradley is grabbing out attention with a mixture of blooming prints on a graphic patterned stretch, zip
jacket by Weavz. Kiwi is the color we chose to accent but take your choice-there are many!! We love our skinny
pantscomfortable, stretchy pull on pants are a must. These are by Listte L and are available in many colors and
lengths.
5. Becky Poor is looking fantastic in one of springs hottest colors-coral. Cook and comfortable in David Clines animal
print snap front blouse. Notice the cute styling of the roll-tab-sleeve. Paired with pull on jeggins by FDJ-Becky is
ready for our Southern Summers.
6. Brooke Winner has lived in Baton Rouge her entire life. She might look girly, but Brooke is known to be quite the
tom-boy. She played basketball, soccer and track during high school and loves talking football with the guys. Brooke
7. Courtney Winner is from Baton Rouge and will be a junior at LSU next year. Dont let her hair color fool you be8. Claudia Davis is from Shreveport, Louisiana. For years, she dreamed of traveling to Africa and that dream came
true back in 2010 when she served on a mission trip in Kenya. Claudia enjoys spending time with her grandchildren,
and would like to visit some of Americas National Parks one day.
9. Stephanie Crawford is from Alexandria, Louisiana. She loves spending time with her family and doing any kind of
tigers!
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10. Jane-EL-See Crawford is from Baton Rouge and enjoys reading during her spare time. Jane-Elsie is such a happy
and grandpas beach house in Pensacola, Florida.
11. Ali Poor is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She will be entering LSU in the fall to pursue a degree in psychology. Ali
was voted Most Likely to be a Billionaire by her Senior Classmates. Ali is traveling to Italy this summer and hopes to
visit the Maldives one day a chain of islands in the Indian Ocean.
12. Rachael is from Portland, Oregon. Rachael is visiting her mother this week, and was asked to model in the show
tonight. What a nice way to spend a vacation! She will be working with Alzheimer patients starting in the fall.
13. Sharon Andrews was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Sharon teaches English at LSU and has been with
Connections for Life for almost 14 years. Sharon enjoys giving back to her community and currently serves on the
Board of Directors at Connections. Her favorite thing in life is going to music festivals and actually played base in a
pop-punk band. Rock on!
14. Chelsea Black is from Ponchatoula, Louisiana. If Chelsea could travel anywhere in the world she would visit Tibet.
One neat thing about Chelsea is she will be working in Yellowstone National Park this summer before moving to
Seattle to start organic farming.
15. Jordan Nuernberg is from Baton Rouge. Jordan has a role in the upcoming move, Black and White, which start
Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer. Jordan loves dancing, singing and painting.
once a news anchor for Auburn Universitys student news program and Lucy loves the movie Frozen. If these two
could travel anywhere in the world, they would make a trip to Disney World.
17. Welcome back Sue! This spring the Grand Marshall of the color-parade is Black & White. So eye-catching and we
are always drawn to it. This swing style, asymmetrical, checkerboard jacket is no exceptionOR should we say, its
exceptional!! So stylish and so differentIm sure Sue will have a hard time deciding when NOT to wear it!
18. Mary Ann is back again and she got it right when she chose Frank Lymans red and black color block, drop waist
19. Spring 2014 is a season to make your own and Dawn owns it!! With a retro feel and a feminine vibe this Michael
Kors ensemble is bright, contemporary and edgy.
20. Hi again, Courtney! Blueespecially royal blue is becoming a staple in all seasons and Cortney is rocking the
color in this jersey, Knit side drape-dress by Cartise. Not overdone or fussy-Cortney commands attention!
21. Out for the last time is Becky! She is dressed to impress! Turquoise blue, in stretch taffeta, Becky has the
make an instant impact when you walk though the door!
22. Welcome back, Brooke! Brooke is looking classy and elegant in a blue and white sundress. Perfect Spring look for
any occasion. She purchased this dress from Love boutique, and similar looks can be found in store.

white leopard-print jacket and the jacket she modeled earlier are gently-worn items from her closet that will go to
the Connections for Life store to help support this wonderful program.
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many ways!
26. Jane- ElSee is looking super adorable in this white sailor dress. And look at that BOW! She is sure to be the
most stylish girl on the playground.

Watch out boys!

29. Sharon is grooving back on stage. Looking stylish in this black and white maxi dress with a chartreuse shrug,

maxi-printed maxi skirt and crop top is the ideal look for any music festival. Chealsea really does know how to make
hippy-chic look good!

Haha
the styles this summer!

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Fashion for a Cause Takes Center Stage


Connections For Life Works Hard to Increase Programs Awareness
March 17, 2014, 1:00 p.m.
News Facts
From 1980-2010, the population of incarcerated women grew by 646 percent.
Fifteen percent of Louisiana inmates will return to person within one year of being released.
Each year, Connections for Life helps improve the lives of 25 women.
Connections for Life operates a thrift store and food bank to help the local Baton Rouge community.
Quotations
At the heart of our cause are the people who keep it beating giving back, giving hope, bringing people together.
Through our dedicated volunteer community and generous donors, Connections for Life can achieve its goal of helping women and children rebuild their lives.
- Connections For Life website, www.connectionsforlife.net.
Multimedia
Video (9:49): Connections for Life
WBRZs 2une In (3:30): Connections for Life Fashion Show
Related Links
For more information, see the Connections for Life website, www.connectionsforlife.net.
Like the Connections for Life Facebook page
Follow Connections for Life on Twitter
Suggested Keywords/Tags
Connections For Life, rehabilitation program, prison release plan, transitional housing, thrift store
About Connections For Life
Established in 2000, Connections for Life provides a 12-month reentry and transitional housing program for women
coming from prison, treatment facilities, battered womens shelters and other referral agencies. Dedicated to helping
women help themselves, Connections aims to empower the women served to achieve their best self and live up to
their full potential.
For More Information:
Clare Gleeson
Strategy director
cgleeson11@yahoo.com
650.224.2996

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WBRZs 2une In interviewed Karen Stagg and Margaret Price on Tuesday, April 22 at 6:20 a.m.

Fashion for a Cause appeared in inRegisters e-newsletter, Avenue Rouge, as the second top story.

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The Advocate, Houmatoday.com, Eventful.com, Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church and WAFB all
featured Fashion for a Cause on their online event calendars.

The Advocate also featured Fashion for a Cause in its print column, Pams Party Line. Writer Pam Bordelon attended the event and took pictures for the story. (Picture unavailable)
inRegister also interviewed and photographed Karen Stagg, Connections for Lifes executive director, in a feature
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