About Us
Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge (FHFGBR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in East Baton Rouge parish. We serve the following seven parishes: East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, Point Coupee, Iberville and Ascension.
families helping families of greater baton rouge
OUR MISSION
Families Helping Families strengthens and supports individuals with disabilities and their families by providing individualized services, resources, and education that empower them to achieve independence within their communities.
OUR VISION
We envision a community where individuals with disabilities can live, learn, work, and thrive.
PURPOSE
Families Helping Families helps create thriving communities where individuals with disabilities and their families have equitable access to opportunities, resources, and support to achieve their fullest potential. We desire to offer a future where individuals with disabilities are empowered to lead self-directed lives, advocate for themselves, and participate fully in their communities within the seven parishes that we serve including East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, East Feleciana, West Feliciana, Iberville, Point Coupee, and Ascension.
EMPOWER
Families Helping Families partners with individuals with disabilities and their families to provide support services, referrals and resource connections, education, training, and outreach that empower people to achieve greater independence, self-advocacy, and inclusion within their communities.
Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge is a non-profit, family focused resource center for individuals with disabilities and their families. It is a place where we provide services to enhance the independence of those with disabilities into the community.
We have created a community where every person with a disability belongs, participates, and thrives to ensure all individuals with disabilities are valued and live with independence, dignity, and opportunity.
Meet the Greater Baton Rouge Team
Stefanie Ashford
Executive Director
Families Helping Families strengthens and supports individuals with disabilities and their families by providing individualized services, resources, and education that empower them to achieve independence within their communities.
Stefanie Ashford is a visionary leader and executive administrator with 25 years of experience driving operational and financial success for both non-profit and for-profit organizations.
She has held numerous executive roles, including serving as the CEO, President, and Consultant of Life of Purpose, L3C from 2010 to 2025, where she secured and managed grant funding totaling up to $750,000. Additionally, Stefanie served as the CEO and Executive Director of People of Purpose for 14 years, providing comprehensive organizational management and steering strategic fund development. Her executive background also extends to the education sector, where she functioned as the CEO and Head of School for Laurel Oaks and Ashford Academy, overseeing everything from academic programs and organizational structure to federal grant administration and financial health.
A results-driven professional, Stefanie specializes in strategic planning, grant writing, human resources, and budget management. She has consistently partnered with mayors, city councils, and boards of directors to implement comprehensive community, youth, and outreach programs. Her operational expertise includes managing large teams, such as overseeing facility operations and 24 staff members at Bessemer Group Homes, as well as directing initiatives like the Urban Youth Corp Summer Work Program.
Beyond her corporate and non-profit executive roles, Stefanie is deeply engaged in community and ministry leadership. She is the Founder and President of the LikeMinds Networking Group and currently serves as a Lean In Circle Leader. Her pastoral leadership includes leading women's ministries for RAW Sistas and Lioness Pride. Stefanie holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Mississippi.
Meet the FHF-GBR Board of Directors
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