Meet Elicia Williams | President and Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elicia Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elicia, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
The one of the most traumatic things a child in foster care experiences is the change in families. It doesn’t matter that their life wasn’t safe or healthy for them. They only see that they are leaving everything they know and have to live with a new family which is unknown. This is hard for even adults, and we expect small children and teens to handle this without some sort of mental health issue outcome.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The Light House was an organization I started because I saw the struggles that the foster children went through, the foster parents caring for them, and the lack of resources that were available to them. A child should not have to go through the foster system waiting in a room to change families without explanation and no one to help put the pieces back together when they are placed. Foster parents try, but sometimes an outside source for these children is an easier reach to them since so many issues are connected with the family system. We at The Light House struggle to let the families know about what we are trying to do, but we know it’s important. This helps us get creative and figure out a way to get these services to the children. I just really want the world to know that the kids in foster care deserve so much more. We should be showing them that people really do care about them and their situation. They are not alone in this.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When I do get to go out and spend some time with family and friends, we usually go to local restaurants like Rio de Minas or Texas Roadhouse. Nothing fancy. I really don’t like to spend money that much on food and things to do. I would much rather it go to a gift or to someone in need. If I were to plan a trip in Colorado, I would do Durango or Grand Junction. It’s beautiful out there and it’s not the usual that we see in Denver.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The success of my organization is mainly due to my daughter Ziann that I adopted through foster care and all the children that were placed with my family throughout the 4 1/2 years we were foster parents.

Website: https://thelighthousedenver.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelighthousecolorado/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-light-house-partners-inc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566385403347

Youtube: @TheLightHouseDenver

Image Credits
Belmar Shopping Center, City of Englewood Parks and Rec