Redefining the future for children in foster care through support, connection, opportunity, and community.

Two women playing outside in a grassy field with mountains in the background. One woman is giving the other a piggyback ride. Both are smiling and enjoying the moment.

IT MATTERS TO THE ONE!

Our vision is to see children, youth, and families thrive in safe, loving, and supportive communities.

At Starfish Ministries of Cenla, we believe that every child deserves safety, stability, love, and the opportunity to thrive.
We exist to fill critical gaps for children and youth in foster care and the families who care for them — not only in moments of crisis, but as they grow, heal, build relationships, and prepare for their futures.

Become a Wave Maker →

A stylized blue party hat with dark polka dots, featuring a curved brim and a pointed top.

Foster Care Support & Resources in Central Louisiana

Starfish Ministries of Cenla is a foster care nonprofit serving Central Louisiana. We work to fill gaps for children and families impacted by foster care through support, resources, community partnerships, meaningful relationships, and opportunities for connection.

how our programs make an impact

Foster Family Support

We want foster and kinship families to know they do not have to navigate foster care alone. Through resources, connection, encouragement, education, and community partnerships, Starfish works to strengthen the people who are showing up every day for children in care.
Community Connection & Opportunity

Our community is one of our greatest resources. We create meaningful ways for volunteers, businesses, churches, organizations, and community partners to use their gifts and resources to support children, youth, and foster families.
Starfish Book Nook & Coffee Corner

Our bookstore and coffee shop is a community-centered space that supports the mission of Starfish Ministries while creating opportunities for connection, events, outreach, and purpose.

A cozy children's bedroom with a white table, scattered alphabet tiles, drawing supplies, and toys including plush frogs and a star-shaped cushion. There is a bed with polka dot bedding and stuffed frogs, a small woven basket with art supplies, a star-shaped cushion, and a guitar with a string holder in a wooden container. A string of triangular fabric bunting decorates the wall.

One Mission.
Two Organizations.
One Purpose.

HEALING HOMES OF CENLA

Our mission also extends to children residing in Healing Homes of Cenla. Healing Homes provides residential stabilization, structure, and day-to-day care, while Starfish helps surround the children living there with resources, relationships, enrichment, community support, and opportunities.

Learn More About Healing Homes →

A storefront window with a sign that reads "Starfish Bookshop + Coffee" in white and blue letters. The window is decorated with starfish illustrations and is set in a brick wall.

Line drawing of a starfish with patterned arms on a black background.

A coffee shop counter with snacks, coffee cups, a coffee machine, and shelves with bottles of syrup or flavoring. There is a sign that says 'ORDER HERE' and a menu board. Snacks like chips and baked goods are displayed on the counter. A refrigerator contains cheesecake slices labeled 'Hana' and other items.

Why the name Starfish?

The heart behind our name comes from the story of a little boy throwing stranded starfish back into the ocean one by one. When someone told him he could never make a difference to them all, he picked up another starfish, threw it into the water, and replied, “It mattered to that one.”

That is the heartbeat of everything we do. We may not be able to change the entire foster care system at once, but we can show up for the child, the teenager, the foster parent, and the family in front of us.