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LAPLACE — Raychelle M. Harris offers an array of legal support services to help people reach their fullest potential, whether it involves turning their life around or seeing their business dreams home to fruition.

Harris gathered with family, friends and local dignitaries on May 25 to celebrate the grand opening of her LaPlace office. Located at 948 Cambridge Drive Ste. 106, the office will serve as a hub for business consulting, civil mediation, divorces, expungements, grant writing, 501©3 nonprofits and much more.

During Wednesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony, Parish President Jaclyn Hotard recognized Harris for becoming the first private entity to offer grant writing services in St. John the Baptist Parish. She is also the first registered agent serving the River Parishes.

Grant writing is a passion that she was grandfathered, or rather grand-“mothered”, into.

“My mother was also a certified grant writer. I never would have thought as a kid that I would be doing it, but it’s like I’m continuing a legacy, and I think as I evolved into womanhood, I found that I always like to help others,” Harris told L’OBSERVATEUR.

Harris is happy to have her family, including daughters Aleah Renae and Ariel Grace, by her side to celebrate the legacy she is building. She is equally passionate about helping prospective business owners turn their vision into reality. By helping business owners build business credit and obtain grant funding and certifications with Louisiana Economic Development, Harris is shaping their path to success.

“Just to see that come into fruition is the epitome of success for me. I feel like I’m serving my purpose,” Harris said.

Just before Hurricane Ida struck, Harris met with Parish President Hotard to share her vision for St. John Parish.

“She shared her desire to bring different services to the community and help people navigate through things that may be a little more unfamiliar or difficult,” Hotard said. “You would be surprised how many people have a vision and a talent and want to get into business, but they don’t know how to get through the paperwork side of it. Sometimes that will prevent people from taking that first step because the paperwork seems overwhelming. She can provide that layer of support while being able to connect to people in a way that is relatable.”

Hotard recognizes Harris as a kindred spirit with a heart for service, evidenced by a large showing of support at Wednesday’s ribbon cutting despite the pouring rain.

Harris Legal Support Services LLC also has an office at 2439 Manhattan Blvd. Ste. 507 in Harvey. Harris has served as a paralegal and notary public for more than 13 years in the Greater New Orleans area. She is additionally licensed as a wealth coach and minister.

Harris is a strong believer that anyone can change for the better, as long as they are willing to put in the work. Her expungement services help first-time offenders clean up their record. By giving these individuals a second chance and a means to move forward, they become more likely to obtain employment and less likely to rely on government assistance.

Harris said her nonprofit organization, Econic Hub, can help people who were formerly incarcerated obtain their TWIC cards and driver’s license. The nonprofit also serves as a new business incubator for those do not yet have the funds to take the next step.

As a notary public, Harris Legal Support Services can also assist with power of attorney, divorces, real estate closings, successions and wills.

Scott Burton, 2022 chairman for the River Region Chamber of Commerce, believes Harris Legal Support Services LLC will be in high demand.

Accoridng to Burton, grant writing services are becoming increasingly important to the region as non-profits look for ways to fund programs and help constituents.

“The most important thing we can do is do business with each other. To be able to spread commerce between our three parishes and the chamber facilitating that will help them be successful,” Burton said. “Some people are scared of the legal system and not knowing what things are going to cost. Now there is someone right down the street who is able to help.”

The LaPlace office can be reached at 985-401-1450 or online at harrislegalsupportservices.com.