Hi, I’m Jill — and I’m the person behind the scenes bringing the Just Imagine SWLA 50-Year Resilience Master Plan to life for Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes. When people hear that, they often ask, “What does that even mean?” Honestly, it’s a fair question — and one I didn’t have a clear answer for when we started. How do you facilitate a master plan? What I’ve learned over the past four years is that Just Imagine SWLA is more than a 350-page document — it’s a living, breathing vision for the future of Southwest Louisiana. It’s constantly evolving, shaped by the people and communities who call this region home. What began as a plan has become a movement, filled with ideas, energy, and opportunities we never dreamed possible when we first got started.
Back in 2021, the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana hired Urban Design Associates to lead the development of this plan. For an entire year, we met with residents across Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes — listening, learning, and asking big questions about what kind of future we wanted to create together. That year of engagement produced five community-driven vision statements and eleven catalytic projects — the foundation of Just Imagine SWLA today.
Since then, I’ve spent my days building awareness of these projects, helping to connect partners, and championing the vision that came from our neighbors. Along the way, the journey brought some incredible surprises.
In 2024, Just Imagine SWLA received the Charter Award from the Congress for the New Urbanism, one of the highest honors in community design. A local team traveled to Cincinnati to accept the award and learn best practices with planners and designers from across the country. The following year, I represented Just Imagine SWLA at the State of the Coast Conference, joining a panel discussion before more than 1,000 people. That experience opened doors for new partnerships that are helping advance the Coastal Flood Risk Reduction and Bayou Greenbelt projects.
Our relationships with state and national partners have also grown stronger. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority invited us to participate in developing its 2029 Strategic Plan — an important step in ensuring Southwest Louisiana’s voice is represented in shaping Louisiana’s coastal future. We’ve also partnered with the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, which worked alongside us for nearly three years to develop a master plan for Bayou Greenbelt and West Park in DeRidder, and to explore eco-tourism and food security strategies across the region.
And the progress is real. Our Just Imagine vision of a more walkable city took a major step forward when urban designer Jeff Speck visited Lake Charles to show how small design changes can make our streets safer and more connected. In North Lake Charles, Project Build a Future has broken ground on 18 resilient and affordable homes for first-time home buyers in the new Kingman Crossing neighborhood. And in the heart of the city, the Mid City Neighborhood Transformation Project is bringing new life to Lake Charles’ urban core, fueled by a $40 million Choice Neighborhoods award that’s creating resilient housing, parks, and community spaces.
Through our Thrive magazine features and social media channels, we’ve been able to highlight the people in our community doing the hard day-to-day work, to improving the region, who don’t get enough recognition for their efforts. These are the people we rely on the move the projects in Just Imagine SWLA forward. Their expertise and support are instrumental in the work and successes we've already mentioned.
For me, this work is personal. At the Community Foundation, we connect people who care with causes that matter — and for me, that cause is helping make Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana the very best place to live. That means rolling up my sleeves rather than standing on the sidelines. Facilitating Just Imagine SWLA has been the most rewarding experience of my career. I’ve met extraordinary people, learned so much, and witnessed firsthand the power of collaboration. Together, we’re setting an example for communities across the country on how to rebuild smarter, stronger, and more resiliently.
There are so many other success stories I could share, and many are documented right here in Thrive magazine. We’re grateful to Thrive for providing the space for us to share these stories each month. I encourage you to go back to past issues and find the Just Imagine SWLA articles we include every month. Keep up with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Visit us online at justimagineswla.org and join our newsletter.
Southwest Louisiana, you truly are the best. You have embraced and welcomed me and my family with open arms, and I’m so grateful for that. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside so many of you as we face the challenges of our community head-on — and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished together. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
