Laura Howe Awarded Julie Whitt Inspirational Award: “Foster kid” grows up to be foster mom
19 Oct 2010 Leave a Comment
in Inspiration, inspirational award, julie whitt inspirational award, julie Whitt. soul salon international Tags: Julie whitt inspirational award 2010, laura howe, MA, my soul salon, people doing good, rean reese, soul salon international, the soul salon
Soul Salon International is thrilled to announce the winner of the Julie B. Whitt Inspirational award for 2010! This award was named for Julie Blevins Whitt who was a profoundly positive and inspirational figure in the lives of all who knew her or knew of her. Learn more about Julie Whitt here.
Over the course of six months, the SSI community was asked to nominate people of character who support and inspire others while holding a positive attitude and setting a spirited example just as Julie did. Nominations were accepted for men, women and youths and this year’s winner was in good company. It is a challenge to single out one among so many beautiful people– and this year’s winner– as well as all of the nominees– would make Julie very proud.
As the founder of SSI, I want to thank you for giving this nomination process your time and I do hope you will submit your special someone into the pool of nominees again next year. If you want to be sure to be notified of the opening of the 2011 nominations please add yourself to the SSI Newsletter List.
And the winner is…..
CONGRATULATIONS Laura Howe of Whitman, MA!
Recipient of the 2010 Julie B. Whitt Inspirational Award
Laura Howe is the mom of three children Ryan, Josh and Neveah who range from nearly 20 years of age to 10 months old– and together with her husband Scott has added three more kids to their family through foster care. She and Scott who give specialized foster care to high-risk and special needs children ages 14, 15 and 17– provide kids a grounded family life, guidance, love, structure and fun at home. Laura, firmly rooted in what matters most, is a terrific example of someone rising up out of adversity to make a powerful difference in the world.
You see as a child, Laura found herself in foster care. She needed the very system that she is giving back to today. Recounting times when she combed through trash for food while homeless as a youngster, Laura has been “there” and has opened her home and heart in support of children just as others opened their homes to her in her youth.
Laura and Scott needed to make some serious adjustments in life after a serious accident left Scott with permanent injuries. They learned much about each other and themselves through the ordeal and emerged even more certain of their values. This difficult time gave them an even greater sense of devotion to each other and their family.
There is more to Laura’s story that is extra-wonderful. She has taken on an inspired project to clean up trash at her local-state park. After the funding disappeared for the park’s maintenance she took on the project which would get her more active positively impacting her own health and wellness to a greater degree. Trading pounds of fat for pounds of trash, Laura is loving herself and the environment– in addition to the kids under her roof. She understands that the healthier she is, the better-able she is to support others.
Laura inspires us to take special care of the next generation, to care for ourselves and care for our environment. She reminds us with her example, that the very best things in life are not things. These things include our sincere, loving connections with others, our beautiful planet and being a person of integrity and hope. She further inspires us to emerge from adversity smarter, with greater strength and to let your values be your compass, always.
Congratulations wonderful woman!
All the best!
Rena M. Reese
Founder, Soul Salon International
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