Mary Jacob is the executive director of Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans (FHF of GNO). This nonprofit organization encourages families to recognize the potential in their children and adult loved ones with disabilities.

Parents are often met with the “doom and gloom” scenario from professionals when they have a child with a disability.  Jacob wants to switch that scenario around for parents and ask them to look at the potential.  Focus on the ABILITY in disability. Every child is entitled to reach their full potential, regardless of their perceived differences.  Individuals with disabilities want the same things everyone else wants – a meaningful life, relationships, work, and independence.   Thanks to many years of advocacy, our state and country offer an array of disability legislation to ensure individuals with disabilities have every opportunity to reach their goals.   

FHF of GNO is one of ten FHF family resource centers located throughout Louisiana.  Each one is locally operated and governed by its board of directors.   FHF of GNO is unique as it provides educational support to families across the entire state of Louisiana thanks to their Louisiana Parent Training and Information Center program, funded by a federal grant from the US Department of Education.  All FHF Centers are staffed with parents or family members of individuals with disabilities and individuals with disabilities.  The staff are trained and have the unique experience to provide authentic peer-to-peer support.  

FHF of GNO offers three primary programs – Peer-to-Peer Support, Education and Training, and Information and Outreach.   It’s through these programs families are supported and trained to be the best advocates and self-advocates they can be.

FHF of GNO continues to provide support to families of children and adults with disabilities during this unprecedented time of COVID-19.  The staff is all working from the safety of their home and supporting individuals over the phone, email, social media, and Zoom calls.  Services and support with FHF of GNO are free to Louisiana families.

Stay up to date with FHF of GNO’s activities by subscribing to our digital magazine, Exceptional Times, at https://fhfofgno.org/contact-us/newsletter.

FHF of GNO’s 2020 Summer Fun Guide is now available online.  The guide is filled with fun summer activities and fun summer camps for children with disabilities and special health care needs.

Contact FHF of GNO at 504.888.9111; 800.766.7736

Website: www.fhfofgno.org

Email: info@fhfofgno.org.   

Like us at www.facebook.com/fhfofgno.