Lauren Collins oversees our 22-unit Pathways transitional living apartment building for youth aged 16-22 in Wichita, Kan. Lauren recently celebrated the birth of her daughter, Quinn, and has been cherishing the extra time she is spending with her husband, Carlton, and two other children, Kosi and Tahlia.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Those moments that come when the individuals I work with, whether staff or youth, have a breakthrough that propels them in a positive direction. I love to help people become the best versions of themselves.
What have you learned working with the youth in the Pathways program?
How to peel an orange properly. That laughing at ourselves is beyond valuable. And that even though it appears no one is listening, not only are they clinging onto every word you speak, they are holding you accountable for those words.
What inspires you when the job gets difficult?
That diamond in the rough. You never know who really needs you and wants hope and change in their lives. It hurts to think that the one I would give up on could be the one who needs me the most.
What excites you the most about the Pathways program?
Watching the joy on the youths' faces as they complete the program and discover they’ve conquered areas they thought they could never overcome. Many of the youth I meet have lost hope in themselves and live with a day-to-day mindset. Watching this mindset change to be future-focused is the most exciting part of my job.
What are your program's biggest needs?
I can only say two words — volunteers and mentors.
To learn more about our Pathways transitional living program or how you can get involved, please contact Lauren at Lauren.Collins@cornerstonesofcare.org.
Interested in joining our team? Check out our current job openings!