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Editor’s Note: This feature originally ran in the annual 20 Under 40 magazine which was a part of the LaGrange Daily News July 31 edition. If you would like to pick up a copy of the 20 Under 40 magazine, please visit our office at 115 Broad Suite 101.

There is perhaps no one who exemplifies the spirit of our County like Brook Bryant. 

“I [was] born and raised in LaGrange. I truly believe in the best little city,” Bryant said.

Her roots in the area run deep. Her great great grandfather, Charlie Joseph migrated to Troup County from Lebanon, and started the beloved LaGrange restaurant.

Bryant works under the umbrella of Twin Cedars Family Services as the Safe Families Coordinator for LaGrange, which is the sole chapter in Georgia. 

“Every year, several million children in the U.S. find themselves living in a home overwhelmed by a crisis. Poverty, loss of job or a home can often result in children being neglected or worse,” Bryant explained. “Compound those issues with many families living in isolation with no community to fall back on or stand in the gap.”

According to Bryant, this is where Safe Families for Children (SFFC) comes in.

“Safe Families provide a safe home for children and a supportive community for parents while they get back on their feet,” she said. “Parents are provided with the space and support they need to address the issues impacting their ability to provide the best environment for their children. This network of relationships keeps children from entering the foster care system, and ultimately, helps keep families together.”

This is especially dear to Bryant, whose family has hosted around 14 kids.

“One of my favorite things is that we can serve the community as a family. When we host kids in our home, my entire family is involved,” Bryant said. 

She explained, “We are all in a position to pour love, support, and understanding to every child who enters our home… every time, our family becomes even stronger.”

She and her husband, Adam, stay busy with their blended family of seven. Bryant said she has five children “earth-side,” Romans, MaryKahlen,  Noah, Maverick, and Elijah. 

“I had a beautiful baby girl, Blakely, on August 24, 2022. She was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome which is a severe congenital heart defect.”

In 2023, Blakely, passed away. 

“The impact she made and continues to make is truly unbelievable. We have met some of the most incredible people because of our heart warrior and are learning that joy and pain can coexist,” Bryant said.

“I would like [to] start a foundation for kids with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome so that we can be a support emotionally, spiritually, and financially for kids and families who are walking the same path that we did, while continuing to spread Blakely’s strength and story,” she said.

The family is very involved at Rosemont Baptist church, and active in their faith.

Bryant emphasized that her favorite role is as a mom. She has two  internationally adopted sons, a stepdaughter (or bonus daughter as Bryant says), and a  biological son and daughter. The couple are in the process of adopting their fourth son domestically.