Sister Helen Vinton and the Southern Mutual Help Association

Sister Helen Vinton

Take a few minutes to watch this video about some of the amazing work of the Southern Mutual Help Association (SMHA).

Sister Helen Vinton began ministering with SMHA in 1980 and today is the organization’s Senior Executive Officer and Senior Adviser for Life Quality Initiatives.

“And she’s quite good at it as she is thoughtful and wise,” adds Lorna Bourg, President and CEO of SMHA.

Lorna went on to say, “It is challenging to give her only one title as she has many functions. Helen created the Life Quality work of SMHA.”

Sister Helen’s ministry in New Iberia, Louisiana over the years has encompassed many dimensions: Working with farmers, sugarcane workers and fishers.

One of her contributions, working with housing rehabilitation, has met a great need in a region where homes have been so impacted by coastal flooding from hurricanes.

Among other roles, Sister Helen is mentoring the new Director of Life Quality Initiatives, Gabe Schwartzman. Gabe is currently doing research in the Amazon regarding climate change and will return to SMHA at the end of December 2017.

This video is such an example of “Breaking Boundaries, Creating Hope.” One only has to recall what houses look like after a hurricane to truly appreciate it.

Hilda Daigre Curry, featured in the video, joined the SMHA team upon completing her 12th year as mayor in December 2016.