A Gift That Changed Everything
In 2018, Hope House was facing significant financial hardship when a call came that would forever change the future of the organization. After learning about Hope House’s mission, Louisiana businessman Steve Tujague and his wife, Lucy, through The IJN Foundation (In Jesus’ Name), pledged $150,000 in matching funds for every dollar raised through Hope House’s signature fundraiser Heroes Who Cook (then known as Men Who Cook).
That first matching campaign did far more than increase a fundraising total. It inspired local businesses, community leaders and donors to take greater ownership in the fight against child abuse. Through The IJN Foundation's continued matching campaigns and support, Heroes Who Cook grew from an intimate event of 150 to 200 guests, with a previous fundraising high of $63,000, into one of the Northshore’s most anticipated events, welcoming more than 1,000 attendees and generating an annual average of more than $500,000 for Hope House.
From One Event to Lasting Impact
The partnership’s impact extends far beyond Heroes Who Cook. Since 2018, The IJN Foundation has contributed more than $1.5 million to Hope House, helping the organization expand its staff, programs and services as the number of children needing help continued to grow.
The IJN Foundation's generosity has supported the launch of Hope House’s Play It Safe child abuse prevention program, the expansion of trauma counseling services, the growth of an Internet Safety training program held in partnership with Detective Brian Brown of Covington Police Department, the opening of a state-of-the-art Children’s Advocacy Center in Bogalusa, enhancements to forensic medical programming and advanced training for law enforcement and other multidisciplinary partners. The foundation also provided critical funding and equipment while helping develop a collaborative framework between the Covington Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office and Hope House to better serve children throughout the 22nd Judicial District and strengthen efforts to bring child abusers to justice. Most recently, the IJN Foundation made a significant contribution to the expansion of Hope House’s Covington headquarters, helping create additional space to serve children and families for generations to come.
Statewide Support & National Recognition
Steve Tujague’s advocacy has also strengthened the Children’s Advocacy Center movement throughout Louisiana. His leadership and a $300,000 matching contribution benefiting CACs statewide helped create the public-private partnership that became a catalyst for Louisiana’s first dedicated state legislative funding for Children’s Advocacy Centers. In 2024, Tujague received the Community Philanthropy Leadership Award at the National Children’s Alliance Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. Selected from nominations representing approximately 1,100 Children’s Advocacy Centers nationwide, he was one of only eight individuals honored that year.
Heroes Who Cook stands today as a testament to what can happen when extraordinary generosity inspires an entire community. The IJN Foundation did not simply help grow an event; it helped secure Hope House’s future and build a stronger path toward justice, healing and recovery for generations of children. All given In Jesus’ Name.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17
