Your Impact

The morning of February 21, 1997, started out like any other day for Jacob but ended in a broken family. Jacob was just 13 when his father suffered a life changing injury on the job. While moving heavy machinery he suffered a severe back injury. After multiple surgeries, he was left in chronic pain and was unable to return to his job. The family suddenly faced financial hardship.

Jacob’s parents were forced to cash in their savings and the kids’ college funds to pay bills. Jacob’s mom had to go back to work. “I remember having to rely on church to help provide school supplies for me and my sisters,” said Jacob. Eventually, things became so difficult that his parents divorced.

From a very young age, Jacob knew that he wanted a career in public service. He was also aware of the importance of a good education. “When I was in high school, I became hyper-sensitive and worried about how I was going to pay for college,” said Jacob “I knew that I would have to handle those costs on my own.”

Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF) launched a local chapter of the National Kids’ Chance Program when Jacob was a junior at LSU. LBF’s Kids’ Chance Program provides scholarships to children of Louisiana workers who have been killed or permanently and totally disabled in an accident compensable under a state or federal Workers’ Compensation Act or law. In 2004, Jacob applied and was awarded one of the first scholarships. “I was grateful to the LBF for the huge role they played in helping me get through school,” said Jacob.

In 2006 Jacob graduated from LSU with dual degrees in Mass Communications and Animal Science. Initially, Jacob worked for Teach for America in New York, Hawaii, and Seattle. He moved back to Louisiana with his wife and son and currently serves as Special Advisor to the Superintendent at Jefferson Parish Public Schools.

Today Jacob is an active member of the Kids’ Chance Committee and speaks on behalf of the program. His sister Sara is a current Kids’ Chance scholarship recipient. “The vast majority of people do not understand what a child goes through when a parent is killed or injured. In addition to the emotional trauma, too often kids have to carry the financial burden. LBF Kids’ Chance recognizes this challenge and helps kids achieve their goals,” states Jacob.

Since 2004, the program has awarded 337 scholarships totaling $863,100. The program is governed by a committee representing a cross-section of the state’s legal and workers compensation communities.