November 20, 2025 • 16 mins
Some holidays feel bright on the outside and heavy on the inside. We sit down with Liz Gaught from the Center for Children and Families to show what hope looks like when it’s built on everyday actions: a single recorded interview that spares a child from retelling trauma, a counselor stepping into a living room to spot strengths and needs, a wish list that becomes new clothes and a toy to open on Christmas morning.
Starting with CASA and growing across 48 parishes in Louisiana and seven counties in Mississippi, the Center pairs advocacy, education, and prevention with direct services that meet families where they are. Liz walks us through the Children’s Advocacy Center approach, why prevention trainings matter, and how the new Hope Center in West Monroe adds counseling and medication management for kids who need both therapy and clinical care. The thread running through it all is trust: families see the same team before and after the holidays, and donors know gifts reach specific children already in services.
We also talk about the Christmas Project—how it began with 50 soccer balls and now mobilizes businesses, churches, and neighbors to adopt wish lists, host collection sites, and fund essentials you won’t find under a tree. One powerful example: a partner donation purchased six mattresses for siblings who had been sleeping on air beds and the floor. That’s what local support can do when relationships are in place and needs are verified.
Behind these programs is a culture that protects the protectors. Liz shares how leadership builds a workplace where heavy stories meet real recovery—puzzles on the table, shared meals, short walks, and benefits that help teams stay grounded. We close with a reminder that the tunnel isn’t the end; there is light, and community keeps it burning. If you’re ready to help or need help, visit standforhope.org. If this conversation moved you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who believes hope should last longer than a season.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Kelli Green (00:00):
Welcome to Centric Live Better Podcast, where we
share real stories, practicaltips, and community
conversations to help you livebetter financially and together.
I'm Kelli Green with Centric,and as the holidays approach,
many families experience bothjoys and challenges.
That's why today we'rehighlighting an organization
that embodies the spirit of hopeand support, the Center for
(00:23):
Children and Families.
Joining us is Liz Gaught, thepublic relations and marketing
manager at the Center forChildren and Families.
She's here to share how theirteam is making a difference of
hope for children and familiesduring the Christmas season and
throughout the year.
Well, good morning, Liz.
Thanks so much for joining us.
Thank you.
Yeah, we're super excited tohave you with us.
So for our Live Better podcast,this is great.
(00:45):
We always love to bring incommunity partners who are
making major change in ourcommunities.
And so just for our listeners,tell us a little bit about
yourself and Center for Childrenand Families.
Liz Gaught (00:56):
Yeah, well, we're big fans of Centric.
So I'm very excited to be here.
The Center for Children andFamilies is a nonprofit in this
local region, but we actuallyserve 48 parishes in Louisiana,
both in north and south central,and then seven counties in
central Mississippi.
And so we are all over.
But our main mission is just topromote safe, healthy
(01:18):
environments through advocacy,counseling, education, and
prevention.
We show up with our families.
We really want to instill hopein their situations because some
of them are coming from justreally dire situations.
Um, children that are reallyseeking stability.
And so the center has been herefor over 25 years, uh,
(01:40):
providing hope to families inour community.
Kelli Green (01:42):
I love it.
Hope.
Um, when we're talking aboutyour website, standforhope.org.
I love that because it reallyspeaks to the mission of what
you guys stand for and yourvalues of serving and being that
hope to those children andfamilies who are in need.
I love that.
So, you know, you guys providevital support uh year-round.
(02:04):
And so let's talk about yourprograms that help strengthen
families kind of beyond theholiday season.
Liz Gaught (02:09):
Absolutely.
So a lot of people are veryfamiliar with CASA, Court
Appointed Special Advocates.
So that is our kind of flagshipprogram.
That's what the center reallystarted as back in 1999.
Um, from there, we really justsaw a need.
And so where we saw a need, weexpanded to meet the need.
(02:30):
And so um, we have theChildren's Advocacy Center that
sees victims of um physicalsexual abuse, human trafficking.
You know, kids get to come intothe center and share their
story one time.
We record that so that way itdoesn't have to get retold to
every investigator.
Um, a lot of the Children'sAdvocacy Center provides
(02:51):
education to our community.
They'll go and do trainings umabout awareness, prevention so
that way we can try to stopfurther abuse in our community.
Um, we provide counselingservices to children and their
families.
We see zero to 18.
Uh, we can do a lot of that inthe home.
So a lot of times we are goinginto the homes of places that
(03:14):
other places won't go.
So we're going to them.
We're seeing kind of real lifebeing lived out and stepping in
place where we can reallyidentify the need, but also the
strengths and the resources thatthey have that maybe they don't
even know that they have.
Um, what else?
(03:35):
I'm like medication management.
We have kids that havedifferent kinds of mental
behavioral health issues thatmaybe medication is a need.
So we recently opened the HopeCenter in West Monroe.
And so we've been seeing umkids with medication, with
counseling out of that clinic.
So that's kind of opened up awhole new realm of not only are
we going in the home, but wehave families coming to us as
(03:57):
well.
Kelli Green (03:58):
Wow.
So not only do you see a need,you say something, but you
become that solution.
And that is really amazing thatyou you guys have expanded over
the past 25 years and you justshared a few different areas of
where not only just expandedhere locally, but moved on into
Mississippi.
You guys are very actionableand you you speak out your
values of serving and being thathope.
(04:20):
It's it's some of the thingsthat we maybe every day don't
really know that kids arebattling or families are going
through.
Liz Gaught (04:27):
Absolutely.
Kelli Green (04:27):
I love that you guys always come through and you
have a solution and you createthose opportunities, whether
it's in the home or like theaddition of these new centers.
It's it's just fantastic.
So I appreciate you walkingthis through.
So, you know, the holidays area real special time, but they
can also be added stress forfamily.
So kind of tell us how are youguys bringing hope and joy to
families this Christmas season?
Liz Gaught (04:49):
Christmas is my favorite time.
I love, I love the Christmasproject.
Um, that is what we do.
We, oh man, it's been for about20 years now that we've been
doing this project.
And what it started as is, youknow, our our CASA advocates,
they're seeing families andthey're in the home and kind of
(05:10):
seeing how this family is goingto experience Christmas and how
different that was from theirown families really preparing
for Christmas.
And so together we were like,we we want to do something to
help these families.
And so it started really small.
We had a donation of like 50soccer balls to help make these
kids Christmas like a littlesomething special.
(05:30):
And it has just grown into umwe pull in the community
members, we have businesses,individuals, groups um come
together and say, Hey, we wantto be part of making a child's
Christmas extra special.
And so through the Christmasproject, we're able to provide
new clothing and new toys tokids to open on Christmas
morning that they really mightnot have otherwise.
Kelli Green (05:51):
Oh, I love that.
So tell us a little bit more.
How can um, if you know thatthere may be families that are
in need that would reallybenefit from the Christmas
project?
How does someone maybe registeror become, you know, as a part,
could be a recipient of yourgood words?
Liz Gaught (06:07):
So a lot of what makes our Christmas project
different from other places isum it's specifically for
children that are currently inour services.
So they are already involvedwith one of the programs at the
center.
They um we're actually seeingthem on a regular basis
throughout the year.
So it's not just at Christmastime, like we're already in the
(06:28):
homes and establishedrelationship with them.
So our clinicians, ouradvocates, our staff that are in
the home present this kneecloser to Christmas and say,
Hey, we do a Christmas project.
This is what we pre we're ableto help.
Is that something that you feellike your family needs?
And we do have some familiesthat say, like, oh no, we're
good.
(06:48):
And then we have other familiesthat are like, this is a
miracle.
And this is an answer to prayerbecause we my kids, I don't
know how they were gonna haveChristmas otherwise.
And so not only are weestablished in relationship,
we're seeing them face to face.
So we can 100% guarantee youthat every gift we get in is
gonna go to that child.
Oh wow.
(07:08):
And so that's the maindifference there is like we're
so established already.
And after Christmas, we'regonna continue to see them.
Kelli Green (07:16):
Yes.
Liz Gaught (07:17):
Like we're still involved in that family even
after the holidays.
Kelli Green (07:20):
Oh my gosh, that's so wonderful.
So if any of our listeners arewanting to contribute, what are
some ways that they might beable to contribute to the
Christmas project?
Liz Gaught (07:28):
Absolutely.
So we've got three differentways, actually.
Um, so every child completes awish list.
So it has their clothing sizes,it has their gift ideas that
they might like, even like alittle about me.
My favorite colors pink.
I really like Spider-Man.
You know, it helps it kind ofmake a little bit more personal.
So I have a wish list.
So I an individual, a family, agroup, your church, your
(07:52):
business, civic group, whatever,can request a wish list.
I send it to you, you shop.
Because that's the funnestthing.
All right.
You shop and then you bring itback to our office in December,
and then we'll deliver it to thefamilies.
Um businesses or churches orgroups can be collection sites.
So um centric has been a bigone in the past of um collecting
(08:12):
toys and gifts items for us.
So that really helps us withkids we get last minute because
you know, we're constantlyadding kids to our caseload.
So in December, closer toChristmas, we have some extra
gifts we can pull from.
Um, we also get monetarydonations from the community.
And so they can do that on ourwebsite, standforhope.org.
(08:33):
That helps us provide like veryspecific needs.
Um, one really cool one is wehad a family of, I think like
six.
We ended up needing we neededto purchase six mattresses
because they did not have actualmattresses at their home.
They were sleeping, maybe airmattresses or sleeping bags.
And so through a huge donationthat we got from um a corporate
(08:56):
sponsor, we were able to go andbuy six mattresses for their
Christmas.
And so I was like, howincredible.
Kelli Green (09:02):
It's so wild.
You know, you think aboutwhenever you speak of a need,
our community has always been sogood to respond.
And that is that's the benefit,I think, of always staying a
little more local and in thecommunities that we have right
around us because almost always,if there's a need, someone is
gonna stand up to fill in thegap and be that hope, similar to
the way that you guys are yearin and and out.
(09:24):
Absolutely.
We have such a generouscommunity, too.
Yes, it's great to be a part ofthat.
I love it.
And I appreciate you mentioningwe enjoy being a collection
site.
We'll have the littlecollection bins at the front of
the offices when you walk in.
So we're super excited aboutdoing that.
So, you know, I want to justkind of talk about a few
different things too, because weare a community partner.
(09:44):
We love working with your team,and um, part of the things that
your team does going in and outa day and out, day in and day
out, whether that's in theoffice or serving the community
in the homes, um, it's importantto take care of the staff.
And you guys do a wonderful jobof ensuring that your team is
very well prepared.
And but only that too, it'sheavy emotionally, physically,
(10:08):
you know, the things thatthey're dealing with day in and
day out.
And um, we're just excited tobe a small partnership of
offering financial education toCenter for Children and
Families.
So, in talking about that, Iwant you to, if you wouldn't
mind, just expand on the good,this is the good work that you
guys do, not only externally,but how well you guys take care
(10:28):
of your staff at Center forChildren and Families.
Liz Gaught (10:30):
Oh yeah, that's we like to say it's probably the
best place to work ever.
We might be a little biased.
Um, but our staff, ourleadership really take control
over what benefits we have tobecause it is meaningful work
and it is hard work and it isheavy when you're you're seeing
(10:50):
and you're reading and you'rethe the hardness that is
happening to children and in ourcommunity.
It is hard.
Yes.
And so they really strive tobring things in to help um maybe
alleviate some of that stress.
Um, we have a big culture ofplay.
We have uh we have somedepartments that really like to
(11:11):
do puzzles.
So you might see a puzzle onthe table that you know you can
kind of take a mental break, godo a little few pieces of the
puzzle, and then you can kind ofget back into the to the work.
Um, we're big on community, sowe may be eating lunch or
breakfast together, walking awayfrom the computer and saying,
like, hey, I need to walk a laparound the office, let's go.
(11:31):
So it's it's very communityoriented and promoting like take
care of yourself.
Yes, however, that looks.
Kelli Green (11:39):
It goes back to what I've always admired about
you guys is we've partnered forseveral years now, but you see a
need, you create that solution.
You create a level of hope forthe community, and that starts
internally.
And I think that is just such awonderful quality of a local
employer taking care of yourpeople, and they will take care
(12:00):
of everything else.
And I just really admire thatabout Center for Children and
Families.
It's always been a pleasure towork with you guys.
Um, so you know, thinking aboutthis too, I know that community
partnerships and differentorganizations are really
critical to survey meeting theneeds of not only the Christmas
project, but other things thatyou may have going on.
So tell us a little bit about,you know, why it's so important
that you have theseorganizations to partner with
(12:22):
Center for Children andFamilies.
Liz Gaught (12:24):
Well, I mean, honestly, collaboration is key.
I feel like I think um, youknow, we're doing a great work,
but we can't do that byourselves.
And none of it is done byourselves.
We need other organizations, weneed other community partners
to come and walk alongside us,um, support that work, spread
that work.
(12:44):
Um, because I mean, we're onlyone organization.
We can't change the world byourselves.
Like that's gonna have to be acollaboration and really leaning
on the support of others, andwhether that is through people
promoting our messages,promoting our events, maybe they
are making donations throughoutthe year because I mean that's
(13:07):
that keeps us up and running,honestly.
And so um providing needs tofamilies and covering different
needs throughout the year.
Kelli Green (13:16):
So it's it's pivotal.
We all have to work together.
And I think that's the thing wewere used sharing earlier is
just how important it is for usto recognize those particular
needs and then let's be thatsolution.
And I just I think it's veryimportant that we do that.
If there's an opportunity foryou listeners as an organ, if
you have a part of anorganization or if you want to
(13:36):
donate um your money, you cancertainly do that, even time and
get to know what's happening atCenter for Children and
Families and ways in which youcan become involved.
The best way to do that isstandforhope.org to learn more
because there's several projectsthat you guys have throughout
the year, not just the Christmasproject, although it may be one
of your favorite, but there'sso many things that they're
(13:57):
doing throughout the year thatwould really be beneficial.
I I just I think it'soutstanding.
So um the final thing is we'rejust kind of coming to a close.
You know, what's one message ofhope that you'd like to share
with families who may bestruggling this holiday season?
Liz Gaught (14:13):
It's not the end.
Yeah.
This is not the end.
There's there is always hopeand there is always light at the
end of the tunnel, and how longand dark that tunnel may feel.
There's still light on theother side.
And there are people that arehere and that see you and see
that value, and they they canhelp offer some hope in the
(14:36):
moment.
Kelli Green (14:37):
Thank you so much for sharing that.
It's a it's been a pleasurelist to get to know you over all
of these years that we'veserved.
Um, just to give you guys anidea.
I know we've talked a littlebit about our financial wellness
program that we have here, butit's important when we say it's
centric, we want to help ourmembers live better.
But again, we can't do thatwithout the partnerships that we
have with community partnerslike Center for Children and
(14:59):
Families.
And um, it's it's just an honorto know what you guys do each
and every day and the fact thatwe can be a simple teeny tiny
piece of that of supporting yourstaff through financial
education and support duringtheir time of need because
everybody I think has astruggle, you know, throughout
the holidays.
It may bring about grief, afinancial insecurity, food
(15:22):
insecurity.
There's lots of things.
And I think as an institutionfor us to stand on that we help
members live better, if wedidn't partner and share your
part of your story uh with thecommunity, I don't think that we
would be doing our part.
So it's an honor to have youhere.
And we just thank you so muchfor this continued partnership.
Listeners, I want to justinvite you to visit
standfore.org and visit any oneof our locations to drop off
(15:45):
donations for the Christmasproject.
Yes.
Thanks so much, Liz.
We appreciate you being here.
Thanks, Kelly.
I've really enjoyed it.
Thank you.
At Centric, we believe thatwhen one family thrives, our
whole community grows together.
You can learn more about theCenter for Children and Families
by visiting standfore.org.
From all of us at Centric, wewish you a joyful, meaningful
holiday season.
Thanks for tuning in toCentric's Live Better Podcast.
(16:08):
Until next time.
Welcome to Centric Live Better Podcast, where we
share real stories, practicaltips, and community
conversations to help you livebetter financially and together.
I'm Kelli Green with Centric,and as the holidays approach,
many families experience bothjoys and challenges.
That's why today we'rehighlighting an organization
that embodies the spirit of hopeand support, the Center for
(00:23):
Children and Families.
Joining us is Liz Gaught, thepublic relations and marketing
manager at the Center forChildren and Families.
She's here to share how theirteam is making a difference of
hope for children and familiesduring the Christmas season and
throughout the year.
Well, good morning, Liz.
Thanks so much for joining us.
Thank you.
Yeah, we're super excited tohave you with us.
So for our Live Better podcast,this is great.
(00:45):
We always love to bring incommunity partners who are
making major change in ourcommunities.
And so just for our listeners,tell us a little bit about
yourself and Center for Childrenand Families.
Liz Gaught (00:56):
Yeah, well, we're big fans of Centric.
So I'm very excited to be here.
The Center for Children andFamilies is a nonprofit in this
local region, but we actuallyserve 48 parishes in Louisiana,
both in north and south central,and then seven counties in
central Mississippi.
And so we are all over.
But our main mission is just topromote safe, healthy
(01:18):
environments through advocacy,counseling, education, and
prevention.
We show up with our families.
We really want to instill hopein their situations because some
of them are coming from justreally dire situations.
Um, children that are reallyseeking stability.
And so the center has been herefor over 25 years, uh,
(01:40):
providing hope to families inour community.
Kelli Green (01:42):
I love it.
Hope.
Um, when we're talking aboutyour website, standforhope.org.
I love that because it reallyspeaks to the mission of what
you guys stand for and yourvalues of serving and being that
hope to those children andfamilies who are in need.
I love that.
So, you know, you guys providevital support uh year-round.
(02:04):
And so let's talk about yourprograms that help strengthen
families kind of beyond theholiday season.
Liz Gaught (02:09):
Absolutely.
So a lot of people are veryfamiliar with CASA, Court
Appointed Special Advocates.
So that is our kind of flagshipprogram.
That's what the center reallystarted as back in 1999.
Um, from there, we really justsaw a need.
And so where we saw a need, weexpanded to meet the need.
(02:30):
And so um, we have theChildren's Advocacy Center that
sees victims of um physicalsexual abuse, human trafficking.
You know, kids get to come intothe center and share their
story one time.
We record that so that way itdoesn't have to get retold to
every investigator.
Um, a lot of the Children'sAdvocacy Center provides
(02:51):
education to our community.
They'll go and do trainings umabout awareness, prevention so
that way we can try to stopfurther abuse in our community.
Um, we provide counselingservices to children and their
families.
We see zero to 18.
Uh, we can do a lot of that inthe home.
So a lot of times we are goinginto the homes of places that
(03:14):
other places won't go.
So we're going to them.
We're seeing kind of real lifebeing lived out and stepping in
place where we can reallyidentify the need, but also the
strengths and the resources thatthey have that maybe they don't
even know that they have.
Um, what else?
(03:35):
I'm like medication management.
We have kids that havedifferent kinds of mental
behavioral health issues thatmaybe medication is a need.
So we recently opened the HopeCenter in West Monroe.
And so we've been seeing umkids with medication, with
counseling out of that clinic.
So that's kind of opened up awhole new realm of not only are
we going in the home, but wehave families coming to us as
(03:57):
well.
Kelli Green (03:58):
Wow.
So not only do you see a need,you say something, but you
become that solution.
And that is really amazing thatyou you guys have expanded over
the past 25 years and you justshared a few different areas of
where not only just expandedhere locally, but moved on into
Mississippi.
You guys are very actionableand you you speak out your
values of serving and being thathope.
(04:20):
It's it's some of the thingsthat we maybe every day don't
really know that kids arebattling or families are going
through.
Liz Gaught (04:27):
Absolutely.
Kelli Green (04:27):
I love that you guys always come through and you
have a solution and you createthose opportunities, whether
it's in the home or like theaddition of these new centers.
It's it's just fantastic.
So I appreciate you walkingthis through.
So, you know, the holidays area real special time, but they
can also be added stress forfamily.
So kind of tell us how are youguys bringing hope and joy to
families this Christmas season?
Liz Gaught (04:49):
Christmas is my favorite time.
I love, I love the Christmasproject.
Um, that is what we do.
We, oh man, it's been for about20 years now that we've been
doing this project.
And what it started as is, youknow, our our CASA advocates,
they're seeing families andthey're in the home and kind of
(05:10):
seeing how this family is goingto experience Christmas and how
different that was from theirown families really preparing
for Christmas.
And so together we were like,we we want to do something to
help these families.
And so it started really small.
We had a donation of like 50soccer balls to help make these
kids Christmas like a littlesomething special.
(05:30):
And it has just grown into umwe pull in the community
members, we have businesses,individuals, groups um come
together and say, Hey, we wantto be part of making a child's
Christmas extra special.
And so through the Christmasproject, we're able to provide
new clothing and new toys tokids to open on Christmas
morning that they really mightnot have otherwise.
Kelli Green (05:51):
Oh, I love that.
So tell us a little bit more.
How can um, if you know thatthere may be families that are
in need that would reallybenefit from the Christmas
project?
How does someone maybe registeror become, you know, as a part,
could be a recipient of yourgood words?
Liz Gaught (06:07):
So a lot of what makes our Christmas project
different from other places isum it's specifically for
children that are currently inour services.
So they are already involvedwith one of the programs at the
center.
They um we're actually seeingthem on a regular basis
throughout the year.
So it's not just at Christmastime, like we're already in the
(06:28):
homes and establishedrelationship with them.
So our clinicians, ouradvocates, our staff that are in
the home present this kneecloser to Christmas and say,
Hey, we do a Christmas project.
This is what we pre we're ableto help.
Is that something that you feellike your family needs?
And we do have some familiesthat say, like, oh no, we're
good.
(06:48):
And then we have other familiesthat are like, this is a
miracle.
And this is an answer to prayerbecause we my kids, I don't
know how they were gonna haveChristmas otherwise.
And so not only are weestablished in relationship,
we're seeing them face to face.
So we can 100% guarantee youthat every gift we get in is
gonna go to that child.
Oh wow.
(07:08):
And so that's the maindifference there is like we're
so established already.
And after Christmas, we'regonna continue to see them.
Kelli Green (07:16):
Yes.
Liz Gaught (07:17):
Like we're still involved in that family even
after the holidays.
Kelli Green (07:20):
Oh my gosh, that's so wonderful.
So if any of our listeners arewanting to contribute, what are
some ways that they might beable to contribute to the
Christmas project?
Liz Gaught (07:28):
Absolutely.
So we've got three differentways, actually.
Um, so every child completes awish list.
So it has their clothing sizes,it has their gift ideas that
they might like, even like alittle about me.
My favorite colors pink.
I really like Spider-Man.
You know, it helps it kind ofmake a little bit more personal.
So I have a wish list.
So I an individual, a family, agroup, your church, your
(07:52):
business, civic group, whatever,can request a wish list.
I send it to you, you shop.
Because that's the funnestthing.
All right.
You shop and then you bring itback to our office in December,
and then we'll deliver it to thefamilies.
Um businesses or churches orgroups can be collection sites.
So um centric has been a bigone in the past of um collecting
(08:12):
toys and gifts items for us.
So that really helps us withkids we get last minute because
you know, we're constantlyadding kids to our caseload.
So in December, closer toChristmas, we have some extra
gifts we can pull from.
Um, we also get monetarydonations from the community.
And so they can do that on ourwebsite, standforhope.org.
(08:33):
That helps us provide like veryspecific needs.
Um, one really cool one is wehad a family of, I think like
six.
We ended up needing we neededto purchase six mattresses
because they did not have actualmattresses at their home.
They were sleeping, maybe airmattresses or sleeping bags.
And so through a huge donationthat we got from um a corporate
(08:56):
sponsor, we were able to go andbuy six mattresses for their
Christmas.
And so I was like, howincredible.
Kelli Green (09:02):
It's so wild.
You know, you think aboutwhenever you speak of a need,
our community has always been sogood to respond.
And that is that's the benefit,I think, of always staying a
little more local and in thecommunities that we have right
around us because almost always,if there's a need, someone is
gonna stand up to fill in thegap and be that hope, similar to
the way that you guys are yearin and and out.
(09:24):
Absolutely.
We have such a generouscommunity, too.
Yes, it's great to be a part ofthat.
I love it.
And I appreciate you mentioningwe enjoy being a collection
site.
We'll have the littlecollection bins at the front of
the offices when you walk in.
So we're super excited aboutdoing that.
So, you know, I want to justkind of talk about a few
different things too, because weare a community partner.
(09:44):
We love working with your team,and um, part of the things that
your team does going in and outa day and out, day in and day
out, whether that's in theoffice or serving the community
in the homes, um, it's importantto take care of the staff.
And you guys do a wonderful jobof ensuring that your team is
very well prepared.
And but only that too, it'sheavy emotionally, physically,
(10:08):
you know, the things thatthey're dealing with day in and
day out.
And um, we're just excited tobe a small partnership of
offering financial education toCenter for Children and
Families.
So, in talking about that, Iwant you to, if you wouldn't
mind, just expand on the good,this is the good work that you
guys do, not only externally,but how well you guys take care
(10:28):
of your staff at Center forChildren and Families.
Liz Gaught (10:30):
Oh yeah, that's we like to say it's probably the
best place to work ever.
We might be a little biased.
Um, but our staff, ourleadership really take control
over what benefits we have tobecause it is meaningful work
and it is hard work and it isheavy when you're you're seeing
(10:50):
and you're reading and you'rethe the hardness that is
happening to children and in ourcommunity.
It is hard.
Yes.
And so they really strive tobring things in to help um maybe
alleviate some of that stress.
Um, we have a big culture ofplay.
We have uh we have somedepartments that really like to
(11:11):
do puzzles.
So you might see a puzzle onthe table that you know you can
kind of take a mental break, godo a little few pieces of the
puzzle, and then you can kind ofget back into the to the work.
Um, we're big on community, sowe may be eating lunch or
breakfast together, walking awayfrom the computer and saying,
like, hey, I need to walk a laparound the office, let's go.
(11:31):
So it's it's very communityoriented and promoting like take
care of yourself.
Yes, however, that looks.
Kelli Green (11:39):
It goes back to what I've always admired about
you guys is we've partnered forseveral years now, but you see a
need, you create that solution.
You create a level of hope forthe community, and that starts
internally.
And I think that is just such awonderful quality of a local
employer taking care of yourpeople, and they will take care
(12:00):
of everything else.
And I just really admire thatabout Center for Children and
Families.
It's always been a pleasure towork with you guys.
Um, so you know, thinking aboutthis too, I know that community
partnerships and differentorganizations are really
critical to survey meeting theneeds of not only the Christmas
project, but other things thatyou may have going on.
So tell us a little bit about,you know, why it's so important
that you have theseorganizations to partner with
(12:22):
Center for Children andFamilies.
Liz Gaught (12:24):
Well, I mean, honestly, collaboration is key.
I feel like I think um, youknow, we're doing a great work,
but we can't do that byourselves.
And none of it is done byourselves.
We need other organizations, weneed other community partners
to come and walk alongside us,um, support that work, spread
that work.
(12:44):
Um, because I mean, we're onlyone organization.
We can't change the world byourselves.
Like that's gonna have to be acollaboration and really leaning
on the support of others, andwhether that is through people
promoting our messages,promoting our events, maybe they
are making donations throughoutthe year because I mean that's
(13:07):
that keeps us up and running,honestly.
And so um providing needs tofamilies and covering different
needs throughout the year.
Kelli Green (13:16):
So it's it's pivotal.
We all have to work together.
And I think that's the thing wewere used sharing earlier is
just how important it is for usto recognize those particular
needs and then let's be thatsolution.
And I just I think it's veryimportant that we do that.
If there's an opportunity foryou listeners as an organ, if
you have a part of anorganization or if you want to
(13:36):
donate um your money, you cancertainly do that, even time and
get to know what's happening atCenter for Children and
Families and ways in which youcan become involved.
The best way to do that isstandforhope.org to learn more
because there's several projectsthat you guys have throughout
the year, not just the Christmasproject, although it may be one
of your favorite, but there'sso many things that they're
(13:57):
doing throughout the year thatwould really be beneficial.
I I just I think it'soutstanding.
So um the final thing is we'rejust kind of coming to a close.
You know, what's one message ofhope that you'd like to share
with families who may bestruggling this holiday season?
Liz Gaught (14:13):
It's not the end.
Yeah.
This is not the end.
There's there is always hopeand there is always light at the
end of the tunnel, and how longand dark that tunnel may feel.
There's still light on theother side.
And there are people that arehere and that see you and see
that value, and they they canhelp offer some hope in the
(14:36):
moment.
Kelli Green (14:37):
Thank you so much for sharing that.
It's a it's been a pleasurelist to get to know you over all
of these years that we'veserved.
Um, just to give you guys anidea.
I know we've talked a littlebit about our financial wellness
program that we have here, butit's important when we say it's
centric, we want to help ourmembers live better.
But again, we can't do thatwithout the partnerships that we
have with community partnerslike Center for Children and
(14:59):
Families.
And um, it's it's just an honorto know what you guys do each
and every day and the fact thatwe can be a simple teeny tiny
piece of that of supporting yourstaff through financial
education and support duringtheir time of need because
everybody I think has astruggle, you know, throughout
the holidays.
It may bring about grief, afinancial insecurity, food
(15:22):
insecurity.
There's lots of things.
And I think as an institutionfor us to stand on that we help
members live better, if wedidn't partner and share your
part of your story uh with thecommunity, I don't think that we
would be doing our part.
So it's an honor to have youhere.
And we just thank you so muchfor this continued partnership.
Listeners, I want to justinvite you to visit
standfore.org and visit any oneof our locations to drop off
(15:45):
donations for the Christmasproject.
Yes.
Thanks so much, Liz.
We appreciate you being here.
Thanks, Kelly.
I've really enjoyed it.
Thank you.
At Centric, we believe thatwhen one family thrives, our
whole community grows together.
You can learn more about theCenter for Children and Families
by visiting standfore.org.
From all of us at Centric, wewish you a joyful, meaningful
holiday season.
Thanks for tuning in toCentric's Live Better Podcast.
(16:08):
Until next time.
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