Meg Goorley, Executive Director
Catholic Charities of North Louisiana has been helping the poor and vulnerable for nearly 11 years. Perhaps it is best known for those needing help with a rental or utility bill. Because the organization’s focus is to keep families together housed in a safe environment, clients participate in Money $chool® to learn how to take care of their household. It is a class in which everyone can benefit by identifying “leaks” and providing common sense (which turns out to be rare) financial solutions to everyday life. The aim of the class is to take personal responsibility for one’s own financial future. Anyone is welcome to attend—simply call for an appointment (for more information go to www.ccnla.org).
Money $chool® has been so successful that it is supported by First United Methodist Churches in Shreveport and Monroe, Community Foundation of North Louisiana, Carolyn W. and Charles T. Beaird Family Foundation, Capital One Bank, BankcorpSouth, and United Way of Northwest Louisiana. Representatives of these organizations have observed the process and have concluded that Catholic Charities of North Louisiana is providing a great service to the community. Others have tried to emulate the program.
When someone copies what you do, it is a compliment. Until they copy you and make money off your program—then it becomes a competition. In our case, several organizations have had their staff observe our classes trying to provide a similar learning environment. Therefore, the idea of protecting the name seemed important to maintain CCNLA’s identity and integrity. The question was how?
Then, by God’s intervention, representatives from the University of Dallas, listed as one of the top 10 Catholic colleges in the West by U.S. News & World Report, and the school from where both Bishop Malone and Bishop Duca are alums, approached Catholic Charities of North Louisiana in order to work on a capstone project for their graduating MBA students. Their question was simple, “How can we help you solve a problem?” This was an answer to a prayer.
In July 2020, the team of highly qualified graduate students (who called themselves UD9) started the registered trademark application for CCNLA through the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The approval/denial process can take up to 12 months. Luckily, Money $chool® was approved in nine months. Catholic Charities of North Louisiana is grateful for the help and proud of this accomplishment.
