A New Space for Kate
Kate was forced to grow up fast. For most of her childhood, her mother suffered from a brain tumor that left Kate taking care of things around the house including her mother and her little sister.
When she arrived at Texas Baptist Children’s Home, Kate (whose name has been changed to maintain confidentiality) was relieved to finally be able to be a kid for the first time in her life.
Though the new home and lifestyle were very exciting, transitioning to a new place with few of her own belongings was difficult for Kate. At least until Lauren Frock, a Round Rock High School senior, showed up to complete a project that would give Kate a bedroom designed specifically for her.
Lauren, on the left in the photo with Kate, is an energetic teenager, involved in Girl Scouts, Band, National Honors Society, Community Christian Church’s youth group and more.
At first she was discouraged when she began looking for a project for her Girl Scout Gold Award. But after weeks of searching, someone suggested to Lauren that she check out TBCH.
“When a church friend mentioned that Texas Baptist Children's Home had some rooms that needed some work done I instantly fell in love with the idea,” Lauren shared. “I had redecorated my sister's room and my own room in the past and had so much fun, so I knew this would be the same.”
As if decorating a room wasn’t exciting enough, when Lauren discovered she would meet the girls in Cottage 4 and spend time getting to know Kate before she decorated her room, Lauren became ecstatic.
She and Kate got to know one another and Lauren began designing something that Kate would love.
“After putting together two sets of ideas on paper from magazine pictures and sketches, I presented them to Kate and Mrs. Sherburne, the cottage mom, and they decided on a contemporary green blue and purple polka dot design.”
Lauren immediately got to work shopping for decorative items, even d esigning and building wall décor with the help of her father. The materials were all purchased by Lauren with funds donated by her church family, Chisholm Financial Group, and the Knights of Columbus.
When the room was complete, Lauren’s hard work proved to be totally worthwhile. Kate was very pleased. She loved all the room’s color and felt absolutely at home in a place that was designed just for her – something she hadn’t felt in awhile.
Lauren received much more than her Gold Award from Girl Scouts through this project. Meeting the girls in Cottage 4 and getting to know Kate and give her a new bedroom left a lasting impression.
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