LAKE CHARLES, La. — Operation Restoration is delivering urgent, life-changing support to women recently released from incarceration in Lake Charles today. The nonprofit’s pop-up event offers immediate access to essential resources — from identification documents and transportation assistance to hygiene supplies, food, and bill support — to help women overcome critical barriers as they rebuild their lives.
This marks the organization’s first visit to Lake Charles during its “second-chance-month,” signaling an expanded focus on regions often overlooked in deep southern Louisiana. Montrell Carmouche, Senior Advisor for Quality Care Innovation at Operation Restoration, emphasized the pressing need for targeted aid in the community.
“People forget about people down in the deeper side of Louisiana. We wanted Lake Charles to know that we see them, we hear them, we feel them, we support them, and we’re here to show up for them,” Carmouche said.
Across the United States, over 190,000 women remain incarcerated, with nearly 4,000 currently in Louisiana alone. Yet women leaving prison face a unique and urgent challenge: their struggles are largely invisible, leading to fewer reentry resources compared to men.
“The biggest obstacle is really visibility. Men are the face of incarceration,” Carmouche told 7 News. “When a woman is released from prison, they are not afforded all the same opportunities that men are.”
The issue is deeply personal for Carmouche, who spent 19 years in federal prison before her release 7 years ago. She credits access to support for transforming her life and warns others that going it alone can lead to dead ends.
“Please don’t be ashamed. Please don’t feel bad. Please don’t feel less than. We want to support you. And I want you to know, Second Chances do exist. I got mine,” Carmouche said.
Through this event and its year-round programs—which include bail payment help, education, and general reentry services—Operation Restoration has assisted more than 17,000 people nationwide since launching a decade ago.
The initiative also highlights a powerful community message: early intervention and compassion can redirect young people away from criminal paths before incarceration becomes their only story.
“It’s okay not to be cool. It’s okay not to walk away. It’s okay to be your own individual,” Carmouche urged. “One ego, one impulse can land you in prison for the rest of your life. Just ask. Help is out here. Second chances exist.”
For women and others recovering from incarceration in Lake Charles and beyond, Operation Restoration offers a crucial lifeline right now in what is often a lonely and overwhelming process. Carmouche’s journey shows that no past mistake has to define anyone’s future.
Support services are accessible year-round through Operation Restoration’s network. Those in need can reach out directly to begin rebuilding with practical and emotional assistance at the foundation.
