STARC’s facility in Slidell officially has a new name that honors the organization’s original pioneer: Laura Delaup.
At a ceremony Sept. 27, STARC leaders gathered to rename the group's Fremaux Building on U.S. 190 “The Laura Delaup Center.”
“Laura Delaup and her daughter, Heaven, are the reason we are all here today” said STARC Executive Director Mark Baham. “Her vision and creativity has allowed STARC of Louisiana to have tremendous growth and is the reason thousands of individuals with special needs have had their lives enriched and enhanced over the years. I’m proud to call her my mentor, but even prouder to call her my friend.”
Delaup founded the organization in 1972 to serve intellectually and developmentally challenged children in St. Tammany.
She started the group while trying to advocate for her daughter, Heaven, who was bitten by a mosquito and contracted encephalitis. The disease led to Heaven being developmentally delayed for life. However, when doctors recommended Heaven be institutionalized, Delaup refused and started her own efforts to serve Heaven and, eventually, others like her.
Now, 50 years later, the organization serves more than 700 residents of all ages through its programming. STARC, is known for its active role in helping both families and individuals as they navigate the challenges of intellectual disabilities. The nonprofit offers many services, including housing to many of its adult participants and employment through its Mardi Gras bead collection service and job training programs.
The center opened in 2018 and is a 26,000-square-foot facility designed to support STARC’s adult work-training program and administrative offices.
“I am still in shock and awe over the honor bestowed upon me,” said Delaup, who attended the ceremony with Heaven, who is now 57. “Although I may have gotten the ball rolling in 1972, the achievements STARC has made over the past 50 years took an entire community.”
In February 2019, the late philanthropists Ronnie and Gardner Kole were honored with a sign placed on the building. The Koles' “Jazz on the Bayou” fundraising events garnered more than $560,000 in donations for the nonprofit.
A STARC official said the ceremony was to honor the Koles, but the building itself has been named for Delaup.