More Than Survival: Creating Joy in Foster Care

About this episode

Shenandoah Chefalo interviews Lauren Baker about creating joy and support for children in foster care.

What if the smallest moments—new shoes, a summer camp, a chance to belong—could change the trajectory of a child’s life? In this episode of Mindful Management, Shen sits down with Lauren Baker, founder and CEO of the Wonderfund, to explore what it truly means to support children in foster care. Drawing from her work partnering with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, Lauren shares how expanding resources and providing opportunities of enrichment can restore dignity, build confidence, and create lasting impact. Together, they unpack trauma-informed leadership, the power of shifting from “what’s wrong with you” to “what happened to you,” and why joy isn’t a luxury, but an essential part of life. This conversation is a must-listen for leaders, educators, and anyone who wants to better understand how small, intentional actions can profoundly change a young person’s life. Resources: https://www.wonderfundma.org/ https://www.stevepemberton.io/a-chance-in-the-world-book harpercollins.com/products/the-deepest-well-nadine-burke-harris

People in this episode

Host: Shenandoah Chefalo

Guest: Lauren Baker

Topics covered

• foster care
• child support
• trauma-informed leadership
• joy in life
• enrichment opportunities

Keywords

• foster care
• child welfare
• trauma-informed
• leadership
• enrichment
• joy
• support

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Wonderfund, Massachusetts Department of Children and Families

Books & works: A Chance in the World, The Deepest Well

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