Community enthusiasm was in the air at Saturday night’s New Orleans East Dinner for Life.  The annual event, sponsored by Black Advocates for Life and New Orleans Right to Life, was held at the Monsignor Gauthreaux Center on the campus of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in East New Orleans.

Speakers at the event included Sylvia Scineaux-Richard, President of the East New Orleans Neighborhood Advisory Commission; Shawn Powers, CEO of Baptist Community Health Services, Inc.; and Rosalind Armstrong-Woodfox, Founder of ROSE Ministries.  The keynote presentation was made by Dustin Bertrand, a youth outreach director for Louisiana Right to Life and founder of God Made Self Driven Ministries. Dustin delivered a powerful testimony of being conceived in rape and the personal growth and appreciation for life that has emerged from that reality.

Dr. Kathy Allen and Pastor Jonathan Burton of Louisiana Black Advocates for Life spoke to those in attendance about the reality of the tragedy of abortion in the Black community, and they issued a call to action for the community.

Sarah Zagorski of New Orleans and Louisiana Right to Life presented information about the current Love Life campaign, as well as 40 Days for Life and other projects, with advice on how to be involved on the local level.

Special thanks to Knights of Columbus Archbishop Blenk Council No. 1905 for the delicious dinner and their ongoing support of this annual event.