By Paige Gurgainers
Local short term rental host and renovator Sara McDaniel has something new in the works not only honoring her late father, Phillip Carroll, but also helping young women in need.
Recently McDaniel bought a house located at 217 W. Union Street right across from the newly-renovated Fuller House in Minden that will now be referred to as “Phillip’s Cottage.”
“My dad Philip Carroll passed away in June of 2023 and he was the epitome of loving others well,” said McDaniel. “He just loved everybody that he met. It did not matter what color they were, how much money they had – he loved everybody. The bulk of his career was spent up in Springhill, in the northern part of our parish, but his impact on lives was world-wide.”
Carroll served in the school system for more than four decades as a teacher and guidance counselor. He was a Vietnam war veteran and has been deeply involved in the ministry since his early 20’s, participating in numerous mission trips, sharing the gospel with others all over the world.
“He was also a youth pastor even at this age. He was serving in the ministry when he collapsed from a brain bleed,” said McDaniel.
It was his life-long dedication to service that inspired his daughter to “carry on that deep love that he had for others.”
To honor his legacy, this new cottage will serve as transition house for young women with children who have recently graduated from the Teen Challenge program and may not be completely prepared to move out on their own.
McDaniel described it as being a buffer between rehabilitation and full independence.
Teen Challenge is a faith-based residential program that benefits individuals struggling with addiction and other life-controlling issues. They offer short-term and long-term treatment services ranging from 90 days to 18 months.
Phillip’s Cottage will have the capacity to house 2 – 3 ladies at a time plus their children.
McDaniel described her relationship with the Teen Challenge program as “divine intervention.”
“When I first bought my house, I lamented there was no coffee shop in Minden,” she said. “Then low and behold, the newspaper article first came out about my house and on the front page along with my story was the announcement of the Broken Bean opening, and I knew right then that there was divine intervention at play.”
The Broken Bean coffee shop is operated by the Louisiana Adult and Teen Challenge Program.
“I’ve spent so much time at the coffee shop and learning about the girls and their ministry. Some are dear friends today,” said McDaniel. “Teen Challenge is an amazing ministry with proven strategies to get lives back on track and I’ve had a first-hand witness to seeing lives turned around.”
McDaniel shared in her love of coffee with her dad, as well and so the connection between the Broken Bean, Teen Challenge and an eagerness to love others, establishing Phillip’s Cottage as a transitional home “just made logical and supernatural sense” to McDaniel.
Phillip’s Cottage will operate as a 501c3 non-profit organization.
“We just got our 501c3 status this week, so I was waiting to get that before we start fundraising,” said McDaniel. “If all goes well and we don’t run into any issues, I hope that girls can move in late Summer 2025.”
The first fundraising event will be held next weekend Sept. 21. From 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cottages and Bungalows will be holding a tour of the “Colorful Cottages of Minden” with McDaniel’s Simply Southern Cottage and special guest Chair Wimsy. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour McDaniel’s home, the eight units at the Villas, The Fuller White House, the Cottage of Fort and Phillip’s Cottage. During the stop at Phillip’s Cottage, participants will get a good look at the “before” while hearing about the plans and renovation process in store for this soon-to-be transitional home that will positively impact many lives to come.