Bridging Gaps and Building Unity

By: Staff of Ark-La-Tex Gazette

In a city often divided by lines of race, class, and politics, Shreveport Citizens United (SCU) is determined to draw a new one that unites.

Founded in 2023, SCU is a grassroots organization with a simple but powerful mission: to bring the people of Shreveport together to fight violence and crime through collaboration, education, and compassion. Their model is built on community, real, on-the-ground unity between residents, civic leaders, and nonprofits. And it’s working.

This past Saturday, SCU held its second Neighborhood Resource Rally at Billberry Park, an event designed not just to hand out information, but to build trust, visibility, and hope. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the park buzzed with activity, raffle prizes, kids' games, and families connecting with local service providers.

“The rally is about more than just resources,” said one SCU volunteer. “It’s about letting people know they’re not alone. That help exists, and it’s closer than they think.”

SCU’s strength lies in how it bridges the gap between service providers and the people who need them most. Too often, organizations work in silos. SCU flips that script by making introductions, not just between nonprofits and the public, but between the nonprofits themselves. Many attending the rally walked away not just with flyers or food boxes, but new partnerships and plans to collaborate.

That’s intentional.

But the mission doesn’t stop with adults. SCU places a strong emphasis on youth engagement. Children at the event were treated to raffles with prizes that went beyond toys, they included school supplies, sports gear, and art kits. The message is clear: our kids matter, and investing in them is investing in the future of Shreveport.

And in every conversation, every handshake, and every booth, there’s a shared sense of purpose. As one attendee put it, “There’s prayer, purpose, and passion in these rooms.”

SCU isn’t solving every problem overnight. But it’s doing something just as vital, it’s showing up. In neighborhoods. At parks. In the heart of the community. And it’s creating a ripple effect that finally feels like real progress.

In a time when division dominates headlines, Shreveport Citizens United is betting on connections. So far, the odds look good.

The rally schedule for Shreveport Citizens United is:

• April 19 – East Cedar Grove @ AB Palmer Rec. Center
• May 10 – Queens Borough @ Bilberry Park
• May 31 – Caddo Heights @ Caddo Heights Math & Science
• Sept. 13 – West Cedar Grove @ Woodlawn / Leadership Academy
• Oct. 4 – Martin Luther King @ David Rains Rec. Center
• Oct. 25 – Lakeside - Allendale @ Booker T. Washington HS

Events times are 10am to 2pm