Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – Great food for a great cause was what was on the menu at Cajun Fest Friday evening.

Cajun Fest is NEA Family Crisis Center’s largest fundraising event of the year, bringing together Cajun food and drinks, live music and a silent auction to raise money and awareness for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.

“Family Crisis Center is celebrating forty years of serving victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence, helping them move from a level of victimization to empowerment,” executive director Casey Kidd said. “This is our annual fundraiser to help us continue to provide those services in this area to those who are so vulnerable and facing many difficult and dangerous situations, and we’re just for the community and their support for us.”

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Guests who came to Harmony Gardens Oct. 16 were treated to a bayou buffet of unlimited Cajun-inspired cuisine provided by Big Easy Catering. The night also featured a live band, photo and video opportunities, a donation drive and auction.

Event chair Kyla Montogomery said this year’s event was bigger and better than ever before.

“Last year, we hosted Cajun Fest in the backyard of someone’s home, and we just outgrew that space,” Montgomery said. “We knew we needed to flex up this year, and so we’re hosting it this year at Harmony Gardens, which is great. We’re having more people than ever before.”

Photographer: Maci England

In 2025, donations made towards the Family Crisis Center made 2,640 hotline calls, 751 therapy sessions, and 36 forensic exams possible. Donations also help pay for the groceries of emergency shelter residents, security deposits and rent, and is used to support survivors’ transitions to independent lives of safety and stability.

The NEA Family Crisis Center also operates the Second Home Shoppe resale store, which specializes in clothing and houseware items. All proceeds from sales directly go towards the crisis center and the women they help.

For more information on the NEA Family Crisis Center, as well as how to volunteer and donate, visit neafamilycrisiscenter.org.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call 800-799-SAFE (7233) to reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline. You can also call 870-933-9449 to reach the Family Crisis Center’s emergency hotline.

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