Our Vision
Our Mission
Our Mission
At Grandma Betty's, we envision a future where every child with an incarcerated parent and their caregivers can thrive despite the challenges they face.
Our vision is to create a society that recognizes and supports the unique needs of these families, where stigma is replaced with understanding, and barriers are transformed into pathways
At Grandma Betty's, we envision a future where every child with an incarcerated parent and their caregivers can thrive despite the challenges they face.
Our vision is to create a society that recognizes and supports the unique needs of these families, where stigma is replaced with understanding, and barriers are transformed into pathways for growth and achievement.
Through our unwavering commitment to advocacy, collaboration, and holistic support, we aspire to build a world where every child feels valued, every caregiver feels empowered, and every family finds the strength to overcome adversity and reach their full potential.
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Mission
At Grandma Betty's, our mission is to empower these families by offering resources, guidance, and a nurturing community that fosters resilience, hope, and opportunities for a brighter future.
Through innovative programs, educational initiatives, and compassionate outreach, we strive to break the cycle of intergenerational incarceration an
At Grandma Betty's, our mission is to empower these families by offering resources, guidance, and a nurturing community that fosters resilience, hope, and opportunities for a brighter future.
Through innovative programs, educational initiatives, and compassionate outreach, we strive to break the cycle of intergenerational incarceration and promote healing, stability, and success for all those impacted by parental incarceration.
Kataja Marie, Founder
Grandma Betty's was founded by me, Kataja Marie, inspired by my own lived experience of parental incarceration, having both of my parents incarcerated during my childhood. The photo below was taken in 1999 at a Federal Prison camp where my mom was incarcerated. During that time, my mom had three minor children, and fortunately for us, we had THE BIGGEST BLESSING, Grandma Betty. She took us in and raised us until my mother's release three years later. We are Grandma Betty's original grandkids; ground zero, so to speak.
Not only did my grandmother take care of my siblings and me, but she also cared for her great-grandchildren. As you can see in the image, she brought two of them along for the nearly four-hour prison visit to see my mom. In addition to family, my grandmother, Betty Jean Stoffer, cared for many other families. Numerous people called on her for various needs, and she would miraculously make it all happen. She was a true philanthropist, a hustler, and an overall generous woman.
I learned humility through her. She showed me the value of hard work and the importance of community. This influence was so strong that as an undergraduate at Emory University, I became a Woodruff Fellow and minored in Community Building and Social Change. The CBSC Program at Emory equipped me with the research and practical skills needed to create this organization.
After earning my Bachelor's degree, I decided to further my education and attend Georgia State Law School to earn my Juris Doctorate (2013). My independent research focused on children and families affected by incarceration. It was during this time that I completed best practice research and developed a plan to assist families affected by incarceration and to reduce generational incarceration.
I intimately understand the challenges and struggles faced by children with incarcerated parents and their caregivers. My personal journey, guided by the unwavering love and support of Grandma Betty, fuels my passion to make a difference in the lives of others facing similar circumstances. Through Grandma Betty's, I am dedicated to honoring my grandmother's legacy and paying forward the compassion and resilience that shaped my own life, by providing hope, healing, and support to families impacted by incarceration. goals.
(Pictured left Grandma Betty with her daughter and grandchildren.)
Naudia jai, Co-founder
Naudia Jai brings a deeply personal perspective to her role as Director and COO at Grandma Betty's. Joining Grandma Betty's as a co-founder, Naudia is a driving force behind the work you see today. Having experienced the challenges of parental incarceration firsthand—she intimately understands the feelings of isolation, lack of support, and shame that often accompany this experience.
Naudia was heavily influenced by her great-grandmother, Grandma Betty, who partially raised her. Grandma Betty was Naudia's first friend. She mentored her and taught her music. Remembrance of her has brought Naudia joy, and she made it her mission to break the chains of generational incarceration.
Feeling alone and believing that nobody else could truly understand what she was going through, Naudia navigated her journey with resilience and determination. Now, as part of Grandma Betty's team, she is driven by a profound sense of purpose to ensure that no child or caregiver ever feels as isolated or unsupported as she once did.
With empathy born from her own experiences, Naudia is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where families affected by parental incarceration can find understanding, connection, and the support they need to thrive. Through her dedication and compassion, she seeks to empower others to break free from the shadows of shame and stigma, and to embrace their stories with strength and resilience.
Board of Directors
Katrina Johnson
Johnathan Johnson
Johnathan Johnson
Board Chairman
Senior Epic Project Manager
Johnathan Johnson
Johnathan Johnson
Johnathan Johnson
Board Member, Treasurer
Senior Project Manager, Nike
Amani Holliday
Johnathan Johnson
Tomika Meredith
Board Member
Import Coordinator,
Hapag-Lloyd
Tomika Meredith
Johnathan Johnson
Tomika Meredith
Board Member
Region Director,
Cardinal Health
“We believe in the power of community and the strength of family. Together, we can provide the support and understanding needed for children affected by parental incarceration to thrive and succeed.”
T.S. ELIOT
Sow seeds of love for the community by making a donation to Grandma Betty's. Together we can bridge the gap.