At the July 17 Zachary Rotary Club meeting, attendees heard from Kathy Coleman, president and advocate of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Louisiana.
Coleman shared the heart and mission of this all-volunteer organization that she loves and serves.
In Louisiana alone, nearly 55,000 grandparents are raising their grandchildren, and over 61,000 children are being raised by relatives other than their parents.
Coleman said, “I can’t afford to take the kids, but morally I can’t afford not to” — a sentiment many grandparents know all too well. Ninety percent of the families the groups assists live below the poverty line. Most are on fixed incomes and face steep legal, educational and medical challenges when raising children without official custody.
This organization helps by:
- Hosting food and supply drives
- Providing access to emergency funds
- Connecting families to free legal support through monthly support groups and quarterly legal workshops at the Main Library at Goodwood
If you know someone raising a child that’s not their own, let them know the group’s services are free and confidential. Call (225) 810-3555 and visit www.lagrg.org.