Caroline Boudreaux: Transforming Orphan Care with the Miracle Foundation
We are fixing two systems: the orphanage system, which no child belongs in, and the foster care system, which is also broken. We are transforming the orphanage system into a kinship system.
Imagine leaving a successful career in TV advertising to dedicate your life to helping orphans. That's exactly what Caroline Boudreaux did when she founded the Miracle Foundation in 2000. In this episode of 'Overcome with Justin Wren', Caroline shares her journey from the corporate world to becoming a social entrepreneur focused on giving orphans a place they can truly call home.
Through her Texas-based nonprofit, she has helped close down 300 orphanages and transform the lives of countless children by shifting from traditional orphanage care to a kinship system, where children are placed with family members or familiar caregivers instead of being institutionalized. Caroline's inspiration came from her travels to India, where she was deeply moved by the extreme poverty and the plight of orphans.
She realized she wanted her life to be about more than just making money, and thus, the Miracle Foundation was born. Throughout the episode, Caroline and Justin discuss the many challenges within the orphanage and foster care systems, emphasizing that no child belongs in an institution. They explore how the Miracle Foundation empowers communities and families to provide a nurturing environment for these vulnerable children. The conversation also touches on the importance of gratitude and community in social entrepreneurship.
Caroline highlights the value of having a supportive tribe that believes in your mission and helps you achieve your goals. She shares personal anecdotes about pivoting and adapting when things don't go as planned, illustrating the resilience needed in her line of work. Another critical topic is the dangers of patriarchy and its role in perpetuating poverty. Caroline stresses the importance of empowering women and girls to break out of oppressive cycles and create a more equitable society.
Her work with the Miracle Foundation not only transforms the lives of orphans but also challenges societal norms that keep people stuck in poverty. Caroline's story is a testament to the power of one person's determination to make a difference. By listening to this episode, you'll gain insights into how one woman’s vision is reshaping orphan care and learn how you can support this incredible mission.