Picard named executive director for Chez Hope

Chez Hope Inc. has announced the appointment of its new Executive Director Cherrise Picard.
The board of directors made the appointment earlier this week.
Picard has been with Chez Hope since 2002 and has been the Director of Services for the last four years. She served under the direction of the late Sami Riley, executive director since 2003, and is a native of Franklin. In a statement the board said, “We believe Ms. Picard will do an outstanding job of leading Chez Hope into the future.”
Riley became very ill shortly after Chez Hope’s Annual Trivia Night on Jan. 31 and passed away on Feb. 25. She was a prominent member of the domestic violence prevention community and was instrumental in creating several programs for victims of domestic violence that are used throughout the state. “Everyone involved in this cause will mourn the loss of such an inspirational leader,” the board’s statement read.
Throughout Riley’s illness, Picard and all of the staff of Chez Hope continued to work and maintain all of the center’s programs; none of the services were interrupted due to Picard’s leadership and the commitment of the staff, said Chuck Autin, President of the Board of Directors. “We are very proud and honored to have Cherrise Picard as our new executive director,” Autin said. “She worked side by side with Ms. Sami and she has the experience and work ethic to run a wonderful facility like Chez Hope. She has big shoes to fill but we all know her passion is just as great as our previous director.”
Chez Hope, Inc., was established in 1982 to serve victims of domestic violence in the southern regions of Louisiana. The organization currently cover St. Mary and Assumption Parishes and offer emergency and support services as well as safe and transitional housing and programs for children, outreach and public awareness. Chez Hope offers free school presentations on bullying and teen dating violence. Chez Hope is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Franklin, Louisiana.