The VRG is a non-profit created by Roderick "Nu" Darby in 2020. With an office located on Park Avenue in Abbeville, La the board consists of Nu, President; Nikia Leblanc Johnson, Vice-President and Hailee Wiggins, Secretary-Treasurer. The mission statement created by this team filled my heart with hope: The Vermilion Reach Group strives to Empower the community by meeting individuals where they are and providing them with the tools and resources they need to be more effective citizens. One of our many goals is to Activate a Positive influence by creating events and programs that are solution-based and geared towards a better environment that impacts the lives of people in our community. We are on a Mission to Change the narrative and uplift and encourage people from all walks of life who may have gotten lost along the way. The plan is to Help as many people as possible see the benefits of building up a great and empowering community that molds us into productive citizens. Do something!!! Doing Nothing is Not Working!!"

As many of you know, I have a daughter with Down syndrome and so our lives are greatly impacted by such a mission statement. Every single day holds the possibility that the syndrome will cause something to happen - where we must act, react, or refrain from acting and/or reacting. Rarely a day goes by that the impact isn't felt. Now that we have the additional diagnosis of Early Onset Alzheimer’s to add, among others, the offer of community support hits deeper. 

Curious about Nu's vision and passion, I dared to ask his plan to serve the individual with special needs and my internal applause spontaneously exploded by what he shared. "We make sure that events like Uniquely "U" will continue to building lasting relationships with individuals who serve our community; to learn more about special needs and how to be a positive influence in the lives of all special needs whether young or old. Some days may be more challenging than others for them and we as a community must be willing to always give an encouraging word to them." I thought that was a very strong foundation to stand on. This organization will not only provide a haven for individuals with special needs; they will link the regular needs community to them in a way that promotes not only inclusion but growth in honoring those that are different than we are - no matter the race, gender, ethnicity, etc. He explained to me that his plan is to unite and not become divided as a community trying to accomplish a common goal. The VRG strives to work with all organizations to fulfill the common need in our community; they are always willing to build relationships and partnerships. He sees it as, "If we don't ACT now within our community, procrastination will assassinate our motivation." Nu is a visionary at heart. He believes that if he is given an empty space then GOD will give him a purpose. And the VRG will continue to lead our community in creating a permanent blueprint for the next generation to follow.

It is easy to understand his purpose and mindset when he speaks about his mother. He shared that she raised all of her children to love and to share with any and everyone. That is the core value that he lives by every day. Nu said of his mother, Gaynell Demouchet Darby. “My mother's legacy is my heartbeat and I will continue moving forward until I take my last breath. She was the definition of love and I will continue to represent that love." It is my experience that when love is felt that greatly, then it is inevitable that the love is shared. When I met his sister on the day of the event, she shared the same sentiment that this event is because of and for their mother.

The Uniquely "U" day is a day born of love. A vision created in 2021, it is a day planned of laughter, friendship, and endless fun to celebrate the uniqueness of every individual. A vision manifested into a reality. The VRG has received immeasurable support from the community and Nu believes that if they continue to promote positive events in our community, then the Heart of the community will be changed forever. Led by Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." His steps are anointed in passion to fulfill a purpose on earth for a specific time. He could neither see my head nodding in agreement, nor hear me speak in agreement when he said, "We all will die one day, and the visions God placed inside of me will not die with me, I will die EMPTY! Our sacrifice for change must be greater than our commitment to complaining.” Priorities, principals, healthy limits help him in determining what is beneficial for his life and those around him and that determination prepares and provides for the fulfillment of his purpose. That purpose is to live in God's vision for his life and to extend that grace to everyone around him; to help each person, with and without special needs to experience and realize their own purpose and merit. That is what his mission statement speaks to me.

 

 Their mission statement, as it turns out, is precisely what we experienced at the Uniquely U event. From the outrageously happy greeting from Sabrina Landry upon walking up, to the equally friendly (and I'm so happy I finally got to meet her) Davelyn DeMarcy-Norby when we left one and a half hour later, it was a day that will remain with me for a long time. I shared with Janise Hardy that if the volunteers could be rated on their support and performance, every single one would be equated to that of the Ritz Carlton. That is the highest compliment that I could think of! From the moment we entered to the second we exited, I felt like Jordan was not only seen but accepted and respected. It really means something when you can walk into a place and not feel the stares; and/or the only usual alternative to be completely ignored. When Teen Miss Louisiana Cajun Heritage and Music, Adyle Langlinais placed a crown on Jordan's head, my own head began to spin and the tears fell even though I begged them not to. I find more reasons than I need to in order to go into her room and look at it. Sometimes it is on her dresser, sometimes it is on her doll, but it is there and always will be as a reminder of that act of kindness.

 After nearly 35 years of experiencing the vagueness that society extends to Jordan in relation to her worth, abilities and value, I am ever hopeful for seeing the VRG vision come to fruition. And as I am reviewing my notes and bits and pieces of our conversation, I am moved back to the first time I heard a logo mentioned regarding a Down syndrome support group, "all life has value". Indeed, it does, and it is up to us to make certain that those around us (those that we carry in our heart as well as those that we encounter any place else) are given the tools they need to feel it, too.

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