Help the child by helping the parent.

More specifically, help the child by offering a “hand up” to the working single parent.

It’s a simple but powerful mantra that has served as the baseline of St. Charles Parish-based nonprofit Assistance for Single Parents.

Thanks to a grant from St. John United Way, Assistance for Single Parents is now offering its services and know how to a host of parents in St. John the Baptist Parish.

A front page “Giving Back” feature in April 20’s L’OBSERVATEUR detailed the motivation behind founder Debra Rieder’s organization.

“We’re trying to close that governmental gap of people who are working really hard, doing all that they can to make ends meet but are still struggling,” Rieder said. “Our services are open to any single parent; it just depends on what they need. Many times a single parent just needs support.”

The support comes in many forms, like a free workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at St. Charles United Methodist Church in Destrehan.

“Reboot Your Power: Power Up For Successful Employment” promised all registered participants would receive a donated/refurbished computer to take home and free work attire while supplies lasted. Lunch, snacks and water are also provided.

If you missed today’s event, don’t stress. More outreach is planned through a back-to-school giveaway for new school uniforms, gently used uniforms, belts, shoes, alterations and more from 10 a.m. to noon June 25 at St. Charles United Methodist Church in Destrehan.

Sign up today for that event, as the deadline is June 10. For more information, call 985-233-1173 or visit assistanceforsingleparents.org.

The group is also collecting gently used uniforms, and asking people to drop off any uniforms, accessories or lunch kits they have.

Those who can’t make it to their home office in Norco for drops-offs are asked to be on the look out for their green donation bins.

Rieder, who started the organization in 2014, said the group’s passion and primary focus is the health and well being of children of single parents. In order to assist those children, she feels you have to assist, empower and support their parents.

Single parent households are all too common in the River Region and beyond. Any help provided for children in those situations is an investment is our collective future.