It is with gratefulness that I greet you in this message as the new Executive Director of Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge. I have a very long history working with non-profit organizations and also serving as a caregiver for a disabled family member. My perspective in serving families of persons with disabilities, having been a caregiver and professional with non-profits, I expect will be beneficial to those we serve. I am grateful to be able to give back.

When we stop for a minute and reflect on the devastations occurring throughout the world, we are challenged by how we find ourselves engaged to somehow make a difference. Challenged or not, we have much for which to be thankful. We are in a time to reflect not on fear but on truth and life. Rather than becoming overwhelmed over what we have no control or stressed over what we cannot do; we must ask ourselves, what is that one thing we can do to help in the life of someone else. Each one of us have an obligation to make a difference with the life we have been given. What will be our legacy in having lived in this world?

As a person of faith, I am constantly reminded of a great truth: that I can do nothing on my own power but through He who strengthens me, I can do all things. So now I look for ways to do more, albeit with less resources and many challenges, but with greater love, compassion and expectation of helping someone else. Families helping Families GBR was established to facilitate the inclusion of people with disabilities and their families by accessing information, support and education to expand their ability to live a fuller life. There is indeed a greater legacy we all can leave as a valuable and valued participant in this world. Everyone deserves the chance to do so!

FHFGBR gets to help facilitate the inclusion of people with disabilities live a fuller life by what we do. However, we certainly cannot effectively do so without the cooperation of a committed, compassionate and dedicated staff, collaborators, funders, supporters, volunteers and community. Simply stated: those who believe in access to the fullness of life for everyone. When I think about FHFGBR existing to help strengthen the families of persons with disabilities so that they can also flourish in the life they have been given, I am indeed grateful to be a part of this organization. I wonder, is this not what God intended for all of mankind. As we learn from our experiences and knowledge of the world’s devastations, we are turning a page to find greater and creative ways to provide information, resources, education and peer to peer support needed by family members challenged by their unique natural abilities. We expect to reach out to more families throughout all of the parishes we serve directly and throughout the state indirectly in collaboration with all of our Regional partners. Together we stand to accomplish greater things with and for those that we serve. This message is a call to all who want to make a difference by being a participant not just a spectator in “who we are and what we do”.

Now more than ever, we are all faced with an opportunity to serve better, wiser, and compassionately a population of people with disabilities who’s fight continues for inclusion to live a productive and rewarding life. We hope those we serve will have a greater expression of their lives in this world through inclusion with love, respect, dignity, unity, and acceptance. We expect to touch the hearts of a more diverse community of supporters, donors, and volunteers than ever before; not because of what we can do individually, but because of what we will do through the collective strength of all.



If you have not given to this cause or if you have given and want to do more, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will certainly do our best to reach out to you!