Sister Spotlight: Lauren Welch, Delta Psi

When Lauren Welch, Delta Psi, was 22, she was diagnosed with Moya Moya Disease, a rare brain disease that, among other things, makes pregnancy a potentially fatal risk. For Lauren, this was devastating – she was just nine months away from getting married and was eager to start a family. But the experience was also a catalyst for what became a big part of her life: foster parent, mother, and advocate for children and youth who lack what so many take for granted – unconditional love and support from a parent. She and her husband have adopted a son they served as foster parents for, and are in the process of adopting another…or depending on the need, two.

“I was born to be a mom,” says Lauren. “Our son came to us as a foster child, and there are so many others like him out there – children who have suffered neglect and abuse, whose parents have had their parental rights terminated. These children do not have the love of parents. They do not have parents who hug them or show them how to live a happy and successful life.”

In addition to serving as a foster and adoptive parent, Lauren volunteered in North Carolina for the local social services agency her son was adopted through to teach financial management skills to 16- and 17-year-olds who are about to age out of the system. She plans to do the same in her current state of Georgia with their current agency, NECCO, or assist in whatever way best suits the agency’s needs. “These kids get funding from the state for college, housing, and other things,” she continues. “It’s like winning the lottery when you’re 18. What a scary thing! They need to know how to manage that. It also shows that there are other ways to support foster children that don’t require you to care for one on your home, to temporarily help during this challenging time of their lives, or to adopt. There are lots of ways to help.”

In Georgia, there are approximately 14,000 children in the foster care system – and more than 400,000 nationwide. Lauren has found the experience to be very rewarding, and encourages anyone she talks with to find a local agency and serve. “Every child deserves love,” she says. “In one way or another, volunteer to serve through your specific skills, volunteer as a CASA, or to give during the holidays to assist with basic living expenses for foster parents or children transitioning into new homes.”

To learn about how you can help, visit http://www.adoptuskids.org/join-the-conversation/ways-to-help.