In Chattooga County, the role of “grandparent” is increasingly becoming something much bigger than weekend visits and holiday gatherings. Current figures show that about 1 in every 70 people in Chattooga County is a grandparent who is caring for grandchildren, and the number of grandparents raising children has seen a 34% increase in recent years. The growing trend is reshaping family life across the county and creating new financial, social, and community needs.
A powerful new community effort has formed in Chattooga County after a heartbreaking weekend left families and friends grieving the loss of local youth. Instead of letting tragedy pass in silence, Coach Blaine Woody and Michael Farmer came together with a simple but urgent message: “This has to change.”








