People of AC – Sharon Lemoine

Sharon has been a member of the Advocacy Center's Board of Directors for two years.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm sort of a New Orleans gypsy. I've moved around a lot, but always come back here. It's that "gets under your skin" thing! This time, I came back just before Hurricane Katrina hit, and I'm staying! I'm a realtor who loves looking at houses, so that makes my job a joy -- that, and finding just the right place that makes my clients' hearts sing. 

How did you come to know the Advocacy Center?

I discovered the incredible Advocacy Center through a friend and fellow real estate agent, who was on AC's Board and was organizing the first real fundraising event for AC -- the first No Boundaries Tennis Tournament. Since I had spent time as an event planner for the United Way in Houston, TX, assisting with the tournament was right up my alley, even though I knew nothing about tennis OR the Advocacy Center! After the first tournament committee meeting at AC's office, the staff used us as guinea pigs for a public awareness event they wanted to try out. We were guests for the agency's very first PEA Pod information session! The three stories they told us that day about the clients they had served blew me away. I was touched, awed, and inspired!

What compelled you to become a member of the Board?

After hearing about the work of the agency at the PEA Pod information session, there was no way I could NOT play some part in their heroic efforts to make lives better for people with disabilities and seniors in Louisiana. So, I joined the Board of Directors! I do not have the knowledge and experience, frustration, or pain and joy of personal experience with a mental or physical disability in my own life. But, I can empathize, and the work AC does brings it home for me.

What part of AC's work are you most passionate about?

I am passionate about the incredible changes that I've seen AC make in peoples' lives through their great work -- both systemic changes that affect thousands of lives, and the work one-on-one with individuals. I think of the bright high school student with a disability who lived in a residential facility, and was falling behind because she was receiving only one page of school work each day there as an "education." When visited by an AC staff member, she was suspicious and reluctant to believe that someone wanted to make a difference for her. But someone did. Within days, she received schoolbooks and assistance. AC is now working to address education issues for all the children in residential facilities in Louisiana, to make sure this kind of neglect doesn't happen to other children.

What has been your proudest achievement as a member of the Board?

I have no part in the great client work that AC does, but I'm grateful to do what I can to support the agency's mission, specifically as a member of the agency's Development Team. In the current economy, with funding being cut at every turn, the dreadful specter of layoffs is hanging over our heads when what AC really needs is to add staff to address the increasing needs of today's population.

What do you hope for the Board to accomplish in the next year?

My hope for the next year is to find private and corporate sources of sponsorship funds to keep the current programs afloat and secure AC's current staff members. Perhaps -- just perhaps -- we can find enough funding to add to the incredible work AC does.

All you need to do to become an ardent believer in the Advocacy Center's mission is to talk to the dedicated staff about the clients they serve. Get the stories and you won't be able to resist -- you'll become a believer, too!