Lauren joined the Office of Victim Assistance in January 2024 as a victim advocate counselor.聽Lauren received her Bachelor's in Social Work from Stockton University and her Master's in Social Work with a concentration in child welfare and child well-being from the University of Pennsylvania.聽
Before joining OVA, Lauren worked as a child advocate social worker in Philadelphia, where she provided legal and social services advocacy.聽She also previously served as a trauma therapist for children.聽Aside from direct clinical services, Lauren previously worked with survivors of human trafficking in a policy role to advocate for survivor-led initiatives ranging in projects from state legislation to community-based advocacy.聽Her other advocacy efforts also include providing expert witness testimony in court proceedings, as well as organizing community wide discussions on how to best serve community members in a way that is based in harm reduction and amplifies the voices of survivors.聽
Lauren approaches therapeutic interventions and advocacy聽with an eclectic聽perspective, knowing that one size doesn't fit all.聽Lauren cares deeply about an individual's right to be supported and believed.聽She聽is passionate about providing these services in a way that is welcoming, empowering聽and trauma-informed.聽