Flour Shoppe Studios

Child welfare is profoundly important to me. It may seem like child welfare is an abstract concept; but for me it is something more. It is a deeply held conviction. I've seen firsthand how often custody disputes ignore children's voices, highlighting the system's and society's struggle to value children's opinions. Beyond my experience with the custody system, my commitment to child welfare originates from my personal history and an understanding of the devastating effects of childhood trauma and vulnerability. I recognize the critical necessity of ensuring children are safe, believed, and empowered to speak out. Experiencing the significant power imbalance and lack of protection that can affect children reinforces my belief that no child should ever be subjected to harm or have their voice silenced. We often forget children are vulnerable individuals with their own unique needs, feelings, and perspectives. Their early experiences in childhood deeply shape their development and well-being and neglecting their welfare can have lasting negative consequences on mental health, education, and overall life trajectory. This is why I am passionate about organizations that work to provide legal advocacy for children, support foster and adoption families, offer community-enriching programs, resources, and education, focusing on areas of child safety and mental health awareness, diagnoses and treatment. I want everyone to consider the experiences of children within our society and to support efforts that prioritize their well-being. Investing in our children is investing in our future.