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Baker council adopts multiple proclamations; local groups outline services and upcoming events
Summary
The council adopted proclamations for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, Pastor & Clergy Appreciation Month and Diabetes Awareness Month. Community speakers from the Butterfly Society and the Alvin Howard foundation described services, volunteer needs and upcoming events including a Nov. 8 5K and a Nov. 14 gala.
The City Council read and adopted four proclamations during the meeting: Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October 2025), Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month (November 2025), Pastor and Clergy Appreciation Month (October 2025) and Diabetes Awareness Month (November 2025). Each proclamation passed by voice vote after a motion and second.
Domestic violence: Metro Councilwoman Tawanna Harris and representatives of the Butterfly Society spoke after the proclamation. Tijuana of the Butterfly Society said the organization provides shelter, funeral assistance, rental and utility support, bus tickets and relocation aid for victims; she urged residents to "be the voice" for victims and to volunteer. She also cited a local statistic reported to her that 19 domestic‑violence homicides had occurred in the city of Baton Rouge in the prior week and requested more outreach in rural communities.
Pancreatic cancer: Veronica of the Alvin Howard Senior Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Foundation discussed early signs of pancreatic cancer and local support services. She asked the community to attend two upcoming events she described: a 5K and 1‑mile walk at the city park on Saturday, Nov. 8 (5K start 9:00 a.m.; 1‑mile start 9:10 a.m.), and a ninth annual fundraiser on Nov. 14 at Boudreaux Line Catering. She said the foundation provides nutritional support, caregiver assistance and direct aid to patients and families.
Pastor and clergy appreciation: Pastor Cedric Murphy and Bishop Israel Shannon spoke about the spiritual and practical role clergy play in counseling, connecting people to services and offering long‑term support to individuals facing illness or domestic crises. The council adopted a proclamation recognizing October as Pastor and Clergy Appreciation Month and encouraged citizens to show support.
Diabetes awareness: The council adopted a proclamation declaring November 2025 Diabetes Awareness Month and urged residents to join the American Diabetes Association's Stop Diabetes movement.
Why this matters: The proclamations codify city recognition of public‑health, safety and community needs and provide a forum for local nonprofits to brief council and the public about services and volunteer opportunities. Speakers outlined concrete local events and support programs relevant to Baker residents.
What remains unclear: Funding or city commitments tied to the proclamations were not specified in the meeting; the proclamations were symbolic acknowledgments and not binding appropriations.
