As a foster mother, K.C. experienced first-hand the terrible reality of young people entering their first night in foster care. Pulled away from everything at a moment’s notice, most children arrive in foster care exhausted, upset and without any basic necessities to make it through the first night.

K.C. turned her surprise into action. She formed the non-profit Geaux4Kids and the signature program Geaux Bags to provide a bag of necessary items for a child’s first night in foster care. She raises the funds, purchases the supplies, and works directly with volunteers to help pack and deliver Geaux Bags so that children of any age have clean linens, a fresh set of clothes, toiletries, toys and encouraging notes – all to remind them that they are loved and supported, even in the most difficult moments.

K.C.’s body of work over the last 20 years demonstrates a compassionate commitment to children in Louisiana. She has worked on behalf of children in crisis with Providence House, Boys and Girls Clubs and the Salvation Army. She is leading the expansion of Geaux4Kids to a statewide initiative.