About two dozen Southwest Louisiana residents gathered Sunday to paint for a purpose — a fundraiser at Painting with a Twist with half of the proceeds going to a local non-profit.

The event was put on for Families Helping Families of Southwest Louisiana. The organization’s mission is to enable and empower individuals with disabilities and their families by providing information, referral, education, training, peer support and advocacy skills.

Susan Benoit, executive director of the Families Helping Families, said it’s important that people realize that having a disability is “not the worse thing in the world.”

“We want to give them high expectations for their lives,” she said. “Everyone is the same. You just might have a disability.”

Benoit said it’s “great that people took three hours out of their afternoon to support this organization.”

“Everyone at Families Helping Families either has a disability or has a child with a disability — that’s why we’re called Families Helping Families,” said Benoit, whose son is disabled. “We can help you understand ‘You are not alone and that it’s going to be OK. I’ve done this and you can do it, too.’”

Bernadette Courville, board chair of Families Helping Families, said fundraisers like Sunday’s are vital for the non-profit.

“It’s really nice to have this many people here supporting us,” Courville said.

The local art and social studio hosted the event as a way to give back to the community, said art instructor Anna Mallett.

The next Painting With a Purpose event will be held from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, with half of the proceeds going to Special Operations Warrior Foundation — a nonprofit that provides financial assistance to wounded and hospitalized special operations personnel. Painting With a Twist is located 4421 Nelson Road. Register at paintingwithatwist.com/lakecharles.(Rick Hickman/American Press)