Lake Charles, La. – As part of National Suicide Prevention Month, Calcasieu Parish 4‑H Agent Kyle Dupre organized a service‑learning project that turned ordinary coffee sleeves into carriers of hope. Working with The Buzz, a local coffee shop, Dupre collected used sleeves and invited 4‑H Junior Leaders to write encouraging messages and lifeline contact information.

Students add personal notes of encouragement

The junior leaders gathered at the Calcasieu Extension office, where they penned a variety of uplifting phrases such as “The world needs you,” “Stay,” and “You matter.” Each sleeve also displayed the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number (988) and, when appropriate, local crisis‑text information.

“Every single one was written with the hope that it might brighten someone’s day,” Dupre said. “I couldn’t stop wondering what would happen if we combined a simple act of service with a message of hope.”

Personal impact for participants

Makenna Vidrine, a 10th‑grade 4‑H Junior Leader, said the project lifted her own mood. While she has not lost anyone to suicide, she knows friends who have struggled, and she hopes the sleeves will reach people in offices, schools and public spaces.

One sleeve reads, “When life gives you lemons, make orange juice and leave the world wondering how you did it,” followed by the crisis‑hotline numbers. Vidrine explained that the light‑hearted wording was intended to catch attention while still delivering a vital resource.

Service‑learning at the heart of 4‑H

Dupre emphasized that the initiative exemplifies the service‑learning model: “It’s not just serving others; it’s learning that sometimes the smallest acts of kindness can have the biggest impact.” He praised The Buzz for supporting the idea and helping bring it to life.

The Calcasieu Parish 4‑H Junior Leaders regularly engage in monthly community‑service projects, including collecting supplies for nursing homes and stocking local blessing boxes. Their next major event, National 4‑H Week, is scheduled for Oct. 4‑10.

Resources for those in crisis

Anyone experiencing a mental‑health crisis or thoughts of suicide can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or dial 911 in an emergency.

This simple, locally driven effort demonstrates how faith‑based values, family‑centered service and individual liberty to help one another can combine to address a pressing public‑health concern.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.