Bossier Parish home provides pathway for homeless young women
BOSSIER PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Meal planning and job hunting are just a couple of skills that young women, aging out of foster care, learn at House of Grace. The mission of the non-profit is to provide refuge to young women ages 18-24 in a Christ-centered home in Northwest Louisiana, while empowering the women with strong relationships and life skills.
'It's been a good experience, especially because I've been away from home for so long,' said Faith Garner, House of Grace resident. 'I never had a stable environment but House of Grace provides that.'
Garner is one of five young women currently staying at the home, learning to set goals, budget, keep house and give back to the community.
'It all works together to make them successful as adults,' said Amy Barton, House of Grace Founder and Executive Director.
Barton has fostered children for decades and has five children of her own. She saw the need for creating House of Grace more than a decade ago, when one of her former foster children, was released from jail on her 18th birthday.
'I realized how ill-equipped she really was to survive in the world alone,' Barton shared. 'But she felt like she had been let down by the system. She gave up on having a good life.'
Renzi Center classes teach children the art of kindness
According to Barton, House of Grace has served 19 young women since opening in November of 2022. The property and programming are all paid for by community grants and private donations. They don't accept any state or federal funding.
'We understand that those programs are great and they're there for a crisis situation,' Barton explained. 'But the moment you walk through the doors of House of Grace, you are no longer in crisis. You are in a community where you are loved and supported.'
It's made a world of difference to the young women who have found a new beginning in their new home.
'I used to not have anybody to lean on except my grandparents and now I have them to lean on,' said Julia French. 'I learned I can do hard things.'
House of Grace will be hosting a Sporting Clay Shoot fundraiser on March 8, 2025. The event starts at 9:00 a.m. at Los Paloma Sporting Range and Event Center, 900 Seven Pines Road in Benton, Louisiana. Find more information at houseofgracenwla.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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