By providing a welcoming haven for children throughout the Greater New Orleans area, Raintree Children and Family Services has enriched the lives of thousands of kids over the course of one hundred years. As they are in the midst of renovating their historic location in the Garden District, Raintree is expanding its mission to foster a new generation of caregivers and support structures for the children of the Greater New Orleans area.
“This renovation is an investment in Raintree’s future, ensuring we enter our next century ready to meet new challenges and expand the quality of care we provide to children and families,” says Andy Gallagher, Director of Operations
Opened as a home for orphans in 1926, Raintree began providing care to over 400 children, arranging adoptions for more than 150. In the subsequent century, Raintree has become a foundational partner in providing much-needed services to at-risk children and youth and support to foster families. Today, in celebration of their centennial, the Raintree Legacy Project is launching a campaign dedicated to revitalizing their uptown campus.
“A century of service is rare. It stands as a testament to Raintree’s ability to adapt to the changing needs of the children and youth in New Orleans,” says LaShawna Schofield, Executive Director.
One of the services expanded by Raintree’s centennial campaign is their therapeutic foster care (TFC), which provides a family-based setting for children with serious emotional, behavioral, mental health, or developmental needs. While some children who enter therapeutic foster care have suffered abandonment, abuse, or neglect, all have undergone some sort of loss or trauma. Therapeutic Foster Care brings in foster parents from the Greater New Orleans area willing and able to provide a loving, stable home, championed by training and assistance from Raintree’s 24/7 staff and services.
“Demand is very high for foster parents, and while many potential parents are interested in opening their homes, some may not know how to take the next steps. That’s where Raintree comes in,” says Shana Applewhite, Raintree’s Development Manager. “We are here to help support that decision and provide resources going forward to kiddos and parents both.”
The Raintree Centennial Gala will be held at the Intercontinental New Orleans. With live music, silent and live auctions, and a few surprises in order, this celebration is primed to be a celebration worthy of the thousands of children whose lives have been, and the thousands more who will be, enriched by Raintree Children and Family Services.
To learn more about Raintree’s Centennial Events and to donate, please visit raintreeservices.org/centennial.
504-899-9045 | raintreeservices.org
