Lauren Costello

Completing an internship with Kids Helping Kids in the summer of my sophomore year of college was a huge determining factor in my pursuit of a career helping others. As an intern, I was involved in all aspects of the organization from grant writing, to project planning, fundraising, and networking; giving me a clear view into the ins and outs of running a non-profit. Working alongside the KHK student ambassadors showed me the impact of community-involved facilitation, something that I still use in my research today. After graduating from the University of Richmond with a degree in Psychology, I have held positions at Yale University, Stanford University, and New York University studying human development from birth up until college-aged. As someone who has a keen interest in studying the impacts of early-life stress on adolescent development, I know all too well the detrimental developmental experiences that many children in Connecticut and across our country face. Having programs like Kids Helping Kids helps mitigate many of these factors, as well as brings community and togetherness in a time where it is needed most. My involvement with KHK has further strengthened my belief that our children are our future, and I am reminded of this every day by working alongside such incredible individuals turning their passion into action to help others in their communities.