“What a wonderful event! The youth/young adult presence was amazing and centered their voices and participation better than any other similar event I’ve been to in the past.”
– Caitlin Golden, Director of Public Policy, Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance
“Lauren was a force to work with and one of the most influential advocates for the Boston Youth Action Board. She always found ways to communicate and effectively work together to meet the needs of all parties involved.”
- Kadra Adderly, Project Manager, Formerly City of Boston Boston Dept. of Neighborhood Development
“Lauren brings an unmatched passion for youth empowerment to her work. Her expertise from lived experience, ability to facilitate and collaboratively lead youth, and to grapple with the real world impacts of systemic issues were invaluable assets to our project. Most of all, Lauren's willingness to be critical of, and thoughtfully challenge, ingrained power structures helps to push for real, effectual change.”
– Lynn Sanders, Deputy Director for Mayor's Office of Workforce Development, City of Boston
“Lauren is hard-working and dependable. She brings an incredible amount of creative drive to systems work. There is truly no one else like her, it is a joy and an honor to work alongside her.”
– Dr. Alice Colgrove, MA State Plan to End Youth Homelessness, Executive Office of Health and Human Services
“Lauren operates with a high level of professionalism regardless of whether she is working with older adults or with young people with lived experience; and she is fierce, acknowledging challenges that might otherwise go unsaid and asking questions that others may be too afraid to ask. I can say unequivocally that our work is better thanks to Lauren’s partnership.”
– Matthew Aaronson, Consultant, Director of the RHY Clearinghouse
“I’m continuously inspired and impressed by Lauren’s commitment to youth voice and power. I have learned a tremendous amount from Lauren as she is very knowledgeable about the systems that influence youth and young adult homelessness. I have frequently leaned on Lauren’s expertise of youth action boards and appreciate her candid feedback to ensure young people are truly included in decision making. Lauren also has excellent project management skills—she keeps notes for meetings, project management spreadsheets, and task lists so that multi-player projects don’t lose momentum.”
-Sam Zito, Senior Director, Community Impact, United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley
“This training was absolutely amazing. Lauren is a wonderful facilitator who created an environment where everyone felt comfortable participating right off the bat. It was by far the most interactive Zoom event we’ve experienced and the time flew by! It was a truly eye-opening experience that helped us to understand the complexities of youth homelessness. Those in attendance described the event as much-needed, educational, and engaging. Thank you, Lauren!”
- Boston University’s Queer Activist Collective
“‘Master Class in Dignity’ is how Lauren’s presence was described. She really amped up the tangible understanding of some still shifting concepts. Very grateful to be working with her!”
– Maggie Merriam, MSW, Social Worker, Director of VCRHYP, Lecturer