On Sunday, April 6th, 2025, I walked past the stretch of sidewalk near Catholic Charities of Acadiana on St. John Street. What I saw was unacceptable for any community, much less one that prides itself on southern hospitality and faith-driven service.

Several of my homeless neighbors were walking barefoot in thin socks, trying to sleep on concrete using torn sleeping bags or old blankets. They had no jackets. The soup kitchen had closed hours earlier, and there was no access to clean water.

As a physician and citizen of Lafayette, I knew I couldn’t ignore what I saw. So I wrote to the Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, and I asked for action—not platitudes.

The Email I Sent

Below is the full email I sent on the morning of April 7, 2025, outlining concrete, low-cost, life-saving steps the state can take immediately.

What I Asked For

• A cold weather emergency protocol to prevent hypothermia deaths when temperatures dip below 45°F
• Restoration of $1M in vetoed shelter funding for Catholic Charities of Acadiana
• State-supported distribution of basic survival gear—shoes, socks, blankets, jackets
• 24/7 access to clean water and sanitation near key service locations

Why It Matters

Over 700 unhoused people die of hypothermia each year in the U.S., often at temperatures as high as 50°F—especially if they’re wet or sleeping on cold ground. Without intervention, Lafayette is no exception.

If you’re wondering how this connects to my broader view on homelessness in America, I encourage you to read my earlier piece:

The Last Free People: Homelessness as Rebellion in a Rigged System

How You Can Help

If this matters to you too, here are three ways to take immediate action:

1. Email Governor Landry and tell him you support real action to protect the unhoused.
2. Donate cold-weather gear to Catholic Charities of Acadiana.
3. Share this post. Let people know that what we tolerate reflects who we are.