Age is no barrier when it comes to extending a helping hand to those in need, as Amelia aptly demonstrates. Despite facing misconceptions about her youthfulness, she defied expectations and embarked on a journey of volunteering. Today, she spearheads her nonprofit, reaching out to fellow youngsters and endeavoring to bring joy into their lives.
Amelia’s mother was her source of inspiration
During her upbringing in Arkansas, Amelia Lisowe found inspiration and a role model in her mother, Lauren. From an early age, she imbibed the values of lending a helping hand and serving others.
Lauren, deeply involved in volunteer organizations for many years, played a crucial role in encouraging Amelia’s commitment to making a positive impact in the foster community.
From her earliest days, Amelia’s mother, Lauren, sought to imbue her with life’s essential values, raising her under the mantra: “Find something you’re good at and use it to make the world a better place.”
Reflecting on her mother’s volunteer efforts, Amelia fondly recalls, “I got to go along with her to a lot of events when I was younger. Finding a way to help foster kids was easy for me to do when I saw there was a need in my community.”
They thought she was too young to volunteer
Amelia’s passion for her mother’s volunteer endeavors transcended mere curiosity, evolving into a determined drive to contribute independently. At the tender age of 8, she actively sought out volunteer opportunities.
Regrettably, the journey faced initial hurdles, with young Amelia encountering repeated rejections based on her age. She was often turned away or denied the chance to participate, leaving her feeling somewhat disheartened. “I felt kind of defeated because I love to volunteer,” Amelia expressed.
However, success frequently emerges after challenges, and after all things, Amelia discovered how to lean on her strengths and abilities, paving the way for her later achievements. When her mother informed her that foster children sometimes had to leave their homes overnight, Amelia had a brilliant idea.
She envisioned the experience of being a young child living on the streets and contemplated the fear of the dark. “I couldn’t imagine being in a new home and being in that darkness,” Amelia asserted.
She proceeded to discuss her initiative with a school counselor, outlining her idea of collecting night lights for foster children. Subsequently, her school initiated a campaign to gather $1 donations, leading to the establishment of Lisowe’s Lights, the charity founded by Amelia and her mother.
Amelia’s endeavor inspires more kids like her to volunteer
Established in 2018, Amelia’s non-profit has experienced consistent growth. Currently, its reach extends to all 50 states, raising funds to distribute 15,000 nightlights. Amelia explained, “Kids in foster homes sometimes have to leave in the middle of the night without taking anything with them. I wanted to help them feel less scared and more safe.”
Amelia’s accomplishments have garnered tremendous pride and interest from those around her, with her mother standing as one of her unwavering supporters since the outset. Expressing her pride, Lauren, despite serving as the charity’s president, emphasizes Amelia’s integral role in decision-making. Lauren affirms, “She is involved in every decision we make, every time we spend money, helping decide if something is a good idea or will further our cause.”
“As adults, we don’t always think about things like that. We don’t think about being afraid of the dark when you stay somewhere new. For her to have that idea and have the initiative to follow through with it and to be able to make that impact, it’s been a really neat experience,” the young lady exclaimed.
Recently, Lisowe’s Lights initiated a program designed to motivate young individuals to actively participate in the foster care system while accruing volunteer hours. Amelia finds immense value in this initiative, noting, “Finding out that I could help foster kids and make my own place to volunteer instead of having to go somewhere was really helpful because I could encourage other kids that they’re never too young to make a difference.”