Heather Martin, a Bardstown, Ky native and single mother of two, has worked extensively with the CASA program as a way to support kids in her local community. Through her work she came to know children and families that were struggling financially and falling through the cracks. Some families were in situations that required immediate action or fell just outside the criteria to receive help from social programs. Even families that were able to receive assistance were getting their basic needs met, but were left with nothing to put toward after school programs or to put a simple gift under the tree on Christmas morning. As a mother, Heather’s heart broke for these children. She went to her social network year after year and recruited friends and family to help fill these needs.
The needs grew and Heather’s network answered the call to help. One of Heather’s relatives, Leanne Russell, proposed they work together to form a nonprofit that could enable them to reach more families and find ways to help cultivate more longterm, high impact changes. Leanne and Heather were both inspired by their Grandmother, Frances Taylor, to lean into serving the community. They both witnessed her volunteer in a myriad of civic organizations during their childhood. Service was engrained at an early age and they both recognized that the seed she’d planted was growing strong. They partnered to launch Frances Foundation to increase their ability to serve and to continue to nurture the legacy their grandmother created.
